Connecticut · DUI · Checked October 2026
DUI Laws in Connecticut
What Happens if You Get a DUI in Connecticut?
Connecticut calls it DUI, and the legal limit for adult drivers is 0.08 blood alcohol content.
- License hearing deadline
- 7 days to challenge your license suspension
- First offense jail
- Up to 6 months, with 48 consecutive hours that cannot be suspended or reduced; or up to 6 months fully suspended with probation that requires 100 hours of community service
- First offense fine
- $500 to $1,000
- First offense license
- 45 days
- Felony
- A second DUI within 10 years carries up to 2 years and a third up to 3 years; any offense punishable by more than 1 year is a felony in Connecticut
Connecticut DUI Laws: Key Facts
- Legal limit (adults)
- 0.08 BACConn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(a) (0.08; 0.04 in a commercial motor vehicle); § 14-227g(a) (under 21, 0.02)
- Commercial drivers (CDL)
- 0.04 BAC
- Drivers under 21
- 0.02 BAC (0.02 or more for a driver under 21)
- Lookback period
- 10 years
Connecticut DUI Penalties by Offense
| Penalty | First offense | Second offense | Third offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charge | misdemeanor (maximum term of 1 year or less) | felony (maximum term over 1 year) | felony (maximum term over 1 year) |
| Jail | up to 6 months, with 48 consecutive hours that cannot be suspended or reduced; or up to 6 months fully suspended with probation that requires 100 hours of community service | up to 2 years, with 120 consecutive days that cannot be suspended or reduced (second violation within 10 years of a prior conviction) | up to 3 years, with 1 year that cannot be suspended or reduced (third or later violation within 10 years of a prior conviction) |
| Fine | $500 to $1,000 | $1,000 to $4,000 | $2,000 to $8,000 |
| License suspension | 45 days | 45 days | permanent revocation; you may request a reconsideration hearing at least 2 years after the revocation date |
| Ignition interlock | required on every vehicle you own or operate as a condition of restoring your license, then for 1 year after restoration | required as a condition of restoration, then for 3 years after restoration; during the first year you may drive only to and from work or school, an alcohol or drug treatment program, an interlock service center or a probation appointment | required for the period set by § 14-111(i)(2) if the revocation is reversed or reduced |
First offense: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)(1), (j); § 53a-26(a) · Second offense: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)(2); § 53a-25(a) · Third offense: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)(3); § 53a-25(a)
When Penalties Are Higher
- child passenger under 18 in the vehicle: Separate offense. First: $500 to $2,000 fine; up to 1 year with 30 consecutive days that cannot be suspended or reduced; probation with 100 hours of community service, assessment, Department of Children and Families evaluation; 45-day suspension and 1 year of interlock. Second within 10 years: $1,000 to $4,000; up to 3 years with 180 days mandatory; 45-day suspension and 3 years of interlock. Third within 10 years: $2,000 to $8,000; up to 5 years with 2 years mandatory; permanent revocationConn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227m
- driving a school bus, student transportation vehicle or other vehicle specially designated for carrying children: Separate offense with fines up to $10,000 and higher penalties, more when a child under 18 is aboardConn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227n
- driving on a special operator's permit at the time of the offense: the DMV suspends your license for twice the period set in § 14-227a(g)Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(h)(2)
More on Connecticut DUI penalties · Estimate penalties for your situation
If You Refuse a Breath or Blood Test
45-day administrative suspension followed by interlock for 1 year (first refusal), 2 years (second) or 3 years (third or later); evidence of the refusal is admissible in the criminal caseConn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227b(b), (i)(2)(C); § 14-227a(e)
Official source: if you refuse a breath or blood test in Connecticut
Hardship License
The special use permit for work, school or medical driving is not available for DUI suspensions or to drivers with a prior alcohol-related offense. After the 45-day suspension you can restore your license with an ignition interlock; after a second offense, interlock driving is limited for the first year to work or school, treatment, interlock service and probation appointments.
Ignition Interlock
First offense: Yes. Required before restoration for all alcohol-related suspensions: 1 year after restoration on a first conviction; 6 months (21 or older) or 1 year (under 21) on a first failed-test suspension; 1 year on a first refusal. The longer period applies. Repeat offenses: 3 years after restoration on a second conviction; permanent revocation on a third conviction You pay all installation and maintenance costs, a $100 DMV interlock administration fee and a $175 reinstatement fee. The requirement starts on the date your license is restored. Calibration every 25 to 30 days; each reported violation extends the requirement by 30 days.
Can a DUI Come Off Your Record?
First-time defendants can apply for the pretrial impaired driving intervention program: the court file is sealed to the public and charges are dismissed after successful completion. A DUI conviction is erased by operation of law 10 years after the most recent conviction (offenses on or after January 1, 2000), unless you are convicted of another DUI within the following 10 years. Waiting period: 10 years from the date of the most recent judgment of conviction, after any incarceration, parole and probation are completed and with no pending charges The pretrial program is not available if you used it or the pretrial alcohol education program within the past 10 years, have any prior DUI conviction, held a commercial license or drove a commercial vehicle, or caused serious physical injury (unless good cause is shown). It requires a $100 application fee and a $150 evaluation fee.
Official source: can a dui come off your record? in Connecticut
Drivers Under 21
A driver under 21 may not operate with a BAC of 0.02 or more. Looking under 21 is not by itself grounds for a traffic stop. The criminal penalties of § 14-227a(g) apply, adapted. Administrative: 45-day suspension, then interlock for 1 year (first), 2 years (second), 3 years (third or later) for a test at 0.02 or higher.
Driving After Using Drugs
Yes. § 14-227a covers driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both; the DMV notes DUI, OUI and DWI all refer to both alcohol and drugs. Officers may request a drug influence evaluation by a drug recognition expert.
More on DUI Law in Connecticut
For the state's own guidance, see Connecticut DMV: Driving Under the Influence: Laws & Penalties.
This page summarizes Connecticut law from official sources, checked October 2026. It isn't legal advice; laws change, and a lawyer licensed in Connecticut can advise on your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Penalty for a First DUI in Connecticut?
Jail: up to 6 months, with 48 consecutive hours that cannot be suspended or reduced; or up to 6 months fully suspended with probation that requires 100 hours of community service. Fine: $500 to $1,000. License suspension: 45 days.
How Long Do You Have to Request a License Hearing in Connecticut?
7 days. How it is counted: the date the DMV mails the suspension notice. Call the DMV Administrative Per Se Unit at 860-263-5204 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) or email the DMV Administrative Per Se Unit (the address is on its hearing page) before the deadline on your notice. If you miss it, the suspension usually takes effect automatically.
When Is a DUI a Felony in Connecticut?
a second DUI within 10 years carries up to 2 years and a third up to 3 years; any offense punishable by more than 1 year is a felony in Connecticut