Washington DUI Laws & Penalties
Last reviewed:
Overview
- Legal BAC limit: 0.08% (commercial 0.04%, under-21 0.02%, enhanced at 0.15%).
- Lookback period: 7 years. 7-year window for the misdemeanor penalty grid; felony DUI at 3 priors within 10 years (15 years for offenses on/after Jan 1, 2026 — recent change, verify at page QC).
- Primary statute: RCW 46.61.502 (offense); RCW 46.61.5055 (penalty grid)
0.15+ (or test refusal) moves the offender to the higher penalty column at every offense level. WA also has a THC per-se limit (5 ng/mL) — nationally unusual and worth a page callout.
Penalties by offense
| Offense | Classification | Jail | Fine | License suspension | Interlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First offense | gross misdemeanor | 24 consecutive hours (<0.15) / 48 hours (0.15+ or refusal) – 364 days; mandatory min 24–48 hrs; convertible to 15 days electronic home monitoring (<0.15) or 30 days EHM / 120 days 24-7 sobriety program (0.15+) | $350–$5,000 (minimum ≈$350–500 (<0.15) / ≈$500–1,000 (0.15+), plus substantial assessments) | 90 days (<0.15) – 1 year (0.15+); 2 years for refusal; hardship: ignition interlock license (IIL) available immediately — no hard-suspension wait | Required |
| Second offense | gross misdemeanor (within 7 years) | 30 days + 60 days EHM (<0.15) / 45 days + 90 days EHM (0.15+ or refusal) – 364 days; mandatory min 30–45 days jail + EHM, non-suspendable absent risk findings | $500–$5,000 (minimums ≈$500–1,500 by column) | 2 years revocation – 900 days (0.15+); 3 years refusal; hardship: IIL available | Required |
| Third offense | gross misdemeanor (within 7 years) | 90 days + 120 days EHM (<0.15) / 120 days + 150 days EHM (0.15+) – 364 days; mandatory min 90–120 days + EHM; 360-day EHM/24-7 alternatives | $1,000–$5,000 (minimums ≈$1,000–2,000) | 3 years revocation – 4 years; hardship: IIL available | Required |
| Fourth+ offense | Class B felony (4th offense with 3 priors within 10 years — 15 years from 2026) | 13 months (standard range) – 10 years; mandatory min per felony sentencing grid | $0–$20,000 | 4 years; hardship: IIL rules apply post-revocation | Required |
First offense
- Classification: gross misdemeanor
- Jail: 24 consecutive hours (<0.15) / 48 hours (0.15+ or refusal) – 364 days; mandatory min 24–48 hrs; convertible to 15 days electronic home monitoring (<0.15) or 30 days EHM / 120 days 24-7 sobriety program (0.15+)
- Fine: $350–$5,000 (minimum ≈$350–500 (<0.15) / ≈$500–1,000 (0.15+), plus substantial assessments)
- License suspension: 90 days (<0.15) – 1 year (0.15+); 2 years for refusal; hardship: ignition interlock license (IIL) available immediately — no hard-suspension wait
- Alternative disposition: Deferred prosecution (RCW 10.05): once per lifetime, 5-year program (2 years treatment + interlock), charge dismissed after — a major WA-specific option.
- Interlock: IID required for all DUI convictions, minimum 1 year.
- 24/7 sobriety program is a WA fixture; alcohol assessment mandatory.
Second offense
- Classification: gross misdemeanor (within 7 years)
- Jail: 30 days + 60 days EHM (<0.15) / 45 days + 90 days EHM (0.15+ or refusal) – 364 days; mandatory min 30–45 days jail + EHM, non-suspendable absent risk findings
- Fine: $500–$5,000 (minimums ≈$500–1,500 by column)
- License suspension: 2 years revocation – 900 days (0.15+); 3 years refusal; hardship: IIL available
Third offense
- Classification: gross misdemeanor (within 7 years)
- Jail: 90 days + 120 days EHM (<0.15) / 120 days + 150 days EHM (0.15+) – 364 days; mandatory min 90–120 days + EHM; 360-day EHM/24-7 alternatives
- Fine: $1,000–$5,000 (minimums ≈$1,000–2,000)
- License suspension: 3 years revocation – 4 years; hardship: IIL available
Fourth+ offense
- Classification: Class B felony (4th offense with 3 priors within 10 years — 15 years from 2026)
- Jail: 13 months (standard range) – 10 years; mandatory min per felony sentencing grid
- Fine: $0–$20,000
- License suspension: 4 years; hardship: IIL rules apply post-revocation
- Felony also for DUI with prior vehicular homicide/assault convictions.
Refusing a chemical test (implied consent)
Refusal: 2-year license revocation (first) via DOL, and the refusal moves sentencing to the enhanced column. Refusal admissible at trial.
Statute: RCW 46.20.308
Ignition interlock
Interlock required for every DUI conviction (min 1 year; longer on repeats); the Ignition Interlock License lets almost any offender keep driving immediately with IID + SR-22 — one of the most IID-forward states.
Statute: RCW 46.20.385, 46.20.720
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Washington?
A first DUI in Washington is a gross misdemeanor. Jail: 24 consecutive hours (<0.15) / 48 hours (0.15+ or refusal) – 364 days; mandatory min 24–48 hrs; convertible to 15 days electronic home monitoring (<0.15) or 30 days EHM / 120 days 24-7 sobriety program (0.15+). Fine: $350–$5,000 (minimum ≈$350–500 (<0.15) / ≈$500–1,000 (0.15+), plus substantial assessments). License suspension: 90 days (<0.15) – 1 year (0.15+); 2 years for refusal; hardship: ignition interlock license (IIL) available immediately — no hard-suspension wait.
What is the legal BAC limit in Washington?
0.08% for most drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.
How long does Washington look back at prior DUI offenses?
7 years. 7-year window for the misdemeanor penalty grid; felony DUI at 3 priors within 10 years (15 years for offenses on/after Jan 1, 2026 — recent change, verify at page QC).