DUI Laws in Connecticut (DUI (Operating Under the Influence — OUI in statute, commonly called DUI))
Connecticut uses the term "DUI (Operating Under the Influence — OUI in statute, commonly called DUI)" for impaired driving offenses. The standard BAC limit is 0.08%. The lookback period is 10 years. 3rd DUI offense within 10 years. Below are the full details of Connecticut's DUI laws and penalties.
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Overview
Connecticut's impaired driving statute uses the term 'Operating Under the Influence' (OUI) in legal text, but the offense is commonly referred to as DUI in practice and by law enforcement. Connecticut is notable for its generous diversionary program — the Alcohol Education Program (AEP) — which allows eligible first-time offenders to have their charges dismissed entirely upon completion. The state also distinguishes itself with relatively moderate penalties for first offenses compared to neighboring states, but escalates sharply for repeat offenders. A third OUI is a felony in Connecticut, and the state uses a 10-year lookback period. Connecticut mandates IID installation for all convicted DUI offenders and imposes a per se BAC limit with no 'impaired to the slightest degree' alternative.
Official term: DUI (Operating Under the Influence — OUI in statute, commonly called DUI)
BAC Limits
| Driver Type | BAC Limit |
|---|---|
| Standard (21+) | 0.08% |
| Commercial (CDL) | 0.04% |
| Under 21 | 0.02% |
| Enhanced Penalty | 0.16% (enhanced penalties under CGS Section 14-227a) |
Penalties by Offense
| Offense | Classification | Jail Time | Fines | License Suspension | IID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Offense | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months; mandatory minimum of 48 hours (which may be suspended if offender completes 100 hours of community service). Judges commonly impose suspended sentences with probation. | $500 to $1,000; with surcharges and assessments, total costs typically reach $1,500-$2,500 | 45-day license suspension followed by a 1-year IID-restricted period; restricted license during the 45-day period is available for some offenders with IID | Required for 1 year following the 45-day suspension period; all vehicles owned or regularly operated must have IID installed |
| 2nd Offense | Misdemeanor (with enhanced penalties) | Up to 2 years; mandatory minimum of 120 days (all 120 days must be served; cannot be suspended). Home confinement may substitute for portion of sentence. | $1,000 to $4,000; with surcharges, total costs typically $3,000-$6,000 | 45-day license suspension followed by a 3-year IID-restricted period | Required for 3 years; monitored by DMV; any violations extend the IID period |
| 3rd Offense | Felony | Up to 3 years; mandatory minimum of 1 year (cannot be suspended or reduced). State prison sentence. | $2,000 to $8,000; with surcharges and assessments, total costs can exceed $10,000 | Permanent license revocation; may apply for reinstatement after serving the full revocation period and meeting all conditions | Required for life upon any future license reinstatement; lifetime IID monitoring |
| Felony | Felony | 1 to 3 years mandatory for third offense; fourth and subsequent offenses carry enhanced mandatory minimums. No portion of the mandatory minimum can be suspended. | $2,000 to $8,000 for third offense; higher for fourth and subsequent offenses; plus felony surcharges and restitution | Permanent revocation for third offense; reinstatement requires petition to DMV after serving all terms, with no guarantee of approval | Lifetime IID requirement upon any future reinstatement |
Felony threshold: 3rd DUI offense within 10 years. Lookback period: 10 years — Connecticut counts prior DUI convictions within the past 10 years for repeat-offender penalties and felony threshold determination.
Additional Penalty Details
| Offense | Community Service | Probation | DUI School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Offense | 100 hours of community service (commonly imposed in lieu of mandatory 48-hour jail sentence) | Up to 2 years; conditions include alcohol/drug evaluation, compliance with treatment recommendations, and no new violations | Mandatory completion of a state-approved substance abuse treatment program; length and intensity determined by clinical evaluation |
| 2nd Offense | 100 hours of community service (in addition to mandatory jail time) | Up to 3 years of supervised probation following release | Mandatory intensive substance abuse treatment program; inpatient evaluation commonly required; court-monitored compliance |
| 3rd Offense | Court-ordered; varies by case | Up to 3 years of supervised probation following prison release; intensive supervision with frequent testing | Mandatory long-term residential or intensive outpatient treatment; court-ordered aftercare with ongoing monitoring |
| Felony | Court-ordered based on circumstances | Up to 3 years of felony probation following prison release; intensive supervision | Mandatory residential treatment program; long-term aftercare supervision; court-monitored compliance |
Implied Consent Law
Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-227b, any person operating a motor vehicle in Connecticut is deemed to have given consent to a chemical analysis of blood, breath, or urine for purposes of determining BAC or drug content. The test is administered when the officer has probable cause to believe the driver is operating under the influence. Connecticut law requires the officer to inform the driver of implied consent rights and the consequences of refusal before the test is administered.
Refusal penalties: Refusing a chemical test triggers an administrative license suspension of 45 days followed by a 1-year IID requirement for a first refusal. A second refusal within 10 years results in a 45-day suspension plus a 3-year IID requirement. A third refusal results in a 45-day suspension plus permanent IID requirement. The refusal is admissible as evidence in court. These administrative penalties are imposed by the DMV independently of any criminal penalties. Connecticut treats the refusal penalties as equivalent to the IID requirements for a conviction.
Aggravating Factors
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| BAC of 0.16% or higher | Enhanced penalties; longer mandatory jail time; court may impose higher fines; extended IID requirement; judges given more latitude for severe sentencing |
| Child passenger under 16 years old | Additional charge of risk of injury to a child (Class C felony, CGS Section 53-21); additional 1-20 years in prison; mandatory DCF referral |
| DUI causing serious physical injury | Second-degree assault with a motor vehicle (Class D felony, CGS Section 53a-60d); 1 to 5 years in prison; mandatory license revocation and restitution |
| DUI causing death | Manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle (Class C felony, CGS Section 53a-56b); 1 to 10 years in prison; first-degree manslaughter possible with 1-20 years; murder charges possible for extreme cases |
| Driving on suspended/revoked license (DUI-related) | Additional misdemeanor charge; mandatory minimum 30 days additional jail time; extended license revocation |
| Evasion of law enforcement / high-speed pursuit while DUI | Additional charge of engaging police in pursuit (Class A misdemeanor); consecutive sentencing with DUI penalties; significantly increased jail time |
DUI with Injury
Classification: Second-degree assault with a motor vehicle (Class D Felony) for serious injury; Manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle (Class C Felony) for death
Second-degree assault with a motor vehicle: 1 to 5 years in prison, mandatory license revocation, fines up to $5,000, and restitution to the victim. Manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle: 1 to 10 years in prison (mandatory minimum of 1 year). First-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle: 1 to 20 years if the driver was recklessly indifferent to human life. If the driver has prior DUI convictions, prosecutors may pursue murder charges under an extreme indifference theory.
Underage DUI
Drivers under 21 with a BAC of 0.02% or higher face a 90-day license suspension for a first offense, a 9-month suspension for a second offense, and a 2-year revocation for a third offense. The underage driver must also complete a substance abuse education program and may be referred to the Youthful Offender program. If the BAC is 0.08% or higher, the underage driver is charged under the full adult DUI statute with all standard penalties. An underage DUI can also affect college admissions, financial aid, and future employment opportunities.
Diversion Programs
Program: Alcohol Education Program (AEP)
Connecticut's Alcohol Education Program (AEP) is one of the most established DUI diversion programs in the country. Available for first-time DUI offenders, the AEP is a pretrial program that lasts 10-15 sessions over approximately 10 weeks. Upon successful completion, the DUI charge is dismissed and the offender avoids a criminal conviction on their record. The program includes educational sessions about alcohol and substance abuse, group counseling, and community service. Participants must pay a program fee (approximately $650). The AEP is administered by the Court Support Services Division.
Eligibility: Available to first-time DUI offenders only (no prior DUI conviction or AEP participation). The offender must not have been involved in an accident causing serious injury or death. BAC level is not a disqualifying factor, but offenders with very high BAC may be referred to the enhanced program. The offender must apply within set time limits after arraignment. A second-offense AEP program exists in limited circumstances but is less commonly granted.
How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record
A DUI conviction remains on your Connecticut criminal record permanently. Connecticut does not allow expungement of DUI convictions. However, if you successfully complete the Alcohol Education Program (AEP) as a first offender, the charge is dismissed and does not result in a conviction — this dismissed charge may be eligible for erasure under Connecticut law. The DUI arrest and any conviction remain on your DMV driving record for at least 10 years. For repeat-offense purposes, Connecticut uses a 10-year lookback period.
Key Statutes
- CGS Section 14-227a
- Primary DUI/OUI statute — defines operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs; establishes BAC limits, offense classifications, mandatory penalties, and IID requirements for all offense levels
- CGS Section 14-227b
- Implied consent law — establishes consent to chemical testing, notification requirements, refusal penalties including administrative license suspension and IID requirements
- CGS Section 54-56g
- Alcohol Education Program (AEP) — establishes the pretrial diversion program for first-time DUI offenders; outlines eligibility, program requirements, and dismissal upon completion
- CGS Section 53a-60d
- Second-degree assault with a motor vehicle — Class D felony for causing serious physical injury while DUI; establishes prison sentences and mandatory license revocation
- CGS Section 53a-56b
- Manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle — Class C felony for causing death while DUI; establishes mandatory prison sentence
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a DUI a felony in Connecticut?
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Connecticut?
What is Connecticut's Alcohol Education Program (AEP)?
What are the penalties for a first DUI in Connecticut?
What happens if I refuse a breathalyzer in Connecticut?
Do I need an ignition interlock device for a first DUI in Connecticut?
Can a DUI be expunged in Connecticut?
What is the DUI lookback period in Connecticut?
Related Guide
DUI license recovery in Connecticut→Step-by-step guide to getting your license back after a DUI in Connecticut — suspension periods, IID requirements, SR-22 insurance, reinstatement fees, and process.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
Official DMV for license reinstatement, IID requirements, administrative hearing requests, and driving record inquiries after a DUI arrest
- Connecticut Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service
Find a licensed DUI defense attorney in Connecticut through the state bar's referral program
- MADD Connecticut
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Connecticut chapter — victim assistance, court accompaniment, DUI education, and prevention programs
- Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)
State resources for substance abuse treatment, court-ordered DUI treatment programs, and recovery support services throughout Connecticut
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