District of Columbia · DUI · Checked October 2026

DUI Laws in District of Columbia

What Happens if You Get a DUI in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia calls it DUI, and the legal limit for adult drivers is 0.08 blood alcohol content.

License hearing deadline: 10 days to challenge your license suspension
First offense jail: Up to 180 days; mandatory minimums apply at high BAC (10 days at 0.20 or more, 15 days above 0.25, 20 days above 0.30) or with certain drugs in the blood or urine (15 days)
First offense fine: $1,000
First offense license: For a D.C. license holder: license restricted and mandatory enrollment in the Ignition Interlock System Program for 6 months
Felony: D.C. DUI and OWI penalties top out at 1 year in jail at every offense level; the impaired-driving statutes create no felony DUI tier

Researched and checked by the DUI Help Editorial Team ·October 3, 2026

District of Columbia DUI Laws: Key Facts

Legal limit (adults): 0.08 BACD.C. Code § 50-2206.01(9) (intoxicated: 0.08 blood or breath, 0.10 urine; 0.04 in a commercial vehicle; any measurable amount under 21); § 50-2206.13(a)(1) (0.20 mandatory minimum)
Commercial drivers (CDL): 0.04 BAC
Drivers under 21: 0 BAC (any measurable amount of alcohol counts as intoxicated for a driver under 21)
Enhanced penalties from: 0.2 BAC
Lookback period: 15 years
Insurance filing: SR-22, 3 years from the date of conviction

District of Columbia DUI Penalties by Offense

DUI penalties in District of Columbia for a first, second and third offense
Penalty	First offense	Second offense	Third offense
Charge	misdemeanor	misdemeanor	misdemeanor
Jail	up to 180 days; mandatory minimums apply at high BAC (10 days at 0.20 or more, 15 days above 0.25, 20 days above 0.30) or with certain drugs in the blood or urine (15 days)	up to 1 year with a 10-day mandatory minimum; higher minimums at high BAC (15 days at 0.20 or more, 20 days above 0.25, 25 days above 0.30) or with certain drugs (20 days)	up to 1 year with a 15-day mandatory minimum; higher minimums at high BAC (20 days at 0.20 or more, 25 days above 0.25, 30 days above 0.30) or with certain drugs (25 days)
Fine	$1,000	$2,500 to $5,000	$2,500 to $10,000
License suspension	for a D.C. license holder: license restricted and mandatory enrollment in the Ignition Interlock System Program for 6 months	for a D.C. license holder: license restricted and mandatory interlock program enrollment for 1 year	mandatory interlock program for 2 years; with 2 prior offenses within the past 5 years, revocation until the DMV reinstates you, and you can apply for reinstatement after 5 years
Ignition interlock	required for D.C. license holders: 6 months	required for D.C. license holders: 1 year	required for D.C. license holders: 2 years (not available when revoked for a third offense within 5 years)

First offense: D.C. Code § 50-2206.13(a); § 50-2201.05a(b)(1); § 50-2206.56 · Second offense: D.C. Code § 50-2206.13(b); § 50-2201.05a(b)(2) · Third offense: D.C. Code § 50-2206.13(c), (d), (d-1); § 50-2201.05a(b)(3)

When Penalties Are Higher

BAC 0.20 or higher, above 0.25, or above 0.30 (or the urine equivalents): mandatory jail minimums rise by tier: first offense 10, 15 or 20 days; second 15, 20 or 25 days; third 20, 25 or 30 daysD.C. Code § 50-2206.13(a)-(c)
Schedule I substance, PCP, cocaine, methadone or morphine (or active metabolites) in the blood or urine: mandatory minimum of 15 days (first), 20 days (second) or 25 days (third)D.C. Code § 50-2206.13(a)(4), (b)(4), (c)(4)
minor (under 18) in the vehicle: additional fine of $500 to $1,000 per minor and a mandatory minimum of 5 days per minor if restrained in an age-appropriate seat, or 10 days per minor if notD.C. Code § 50-2206.18; § 50-2206.01(14)
driving a commercial vehicle (including vehicles for hire): additional 5-day mandatory minimumD.C. Code § 50-2206.17
operating while impaired (OWI): ability to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs, a lesser offense: first: $500 fine or up to 90 days; second: $1,000 to $2,500 or up to 1 year with a 5-day minimum; third: $1,000 to $5,000 or up to 1 year with a 10-day minimumD.C. Code §§ 50-2206.14, 50-2206.15

More on District of Columbia DUI penalties · Estimate penalties for your situation

If You Refuse a Breath or Blood Test

12-month revocation of the privilege to drive in D.C. (or 12-month license denial if unlicensed); D.C. license holders must enroll in the interlock program for 1 to 3 years; the refusal is admissible in court; with a prior DUI or OWI conviction, refusal creates a rebuttable presumption that you were under the influenceD.C. Code § 50-1905; § 50-2201.05a(b-3)

Official source: if you refuse a breath or blood test in District of Columbia

Getting a IID-Restricted Driver License

D.C. license holders convicted in court or revoked administratively must enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program and receive a restricted license (restriction code T) to drive only vehicles with an interlock; there is no option to wait out the revocation. Enrollment is due within 30 calendar days after the revocation is upheld. Not available after a third offense within 5 years.

Official source: getting a iid-restricted driver license in District of Columbia

Ignition Interlock

First offense: Yes, for D.C. license holders: 6 months after a first DUI conviction; 1 year after a first refusal Repeat offenses: 1 year (second conviction), 2 years (third or later); refusals 2 years and 3 years; indefinite revocation for a third conviction within 5 years Install a device with a camera from an approved vendor on every vehicle registered to you; $50 application fee; enroll in or complete a certified drug or alcohol treatment program; CDL holders must downgrade; the device lockout level is 0.020; at least 20 tests per 30 days; leaving the program early revokes your license and adds 1 year. The DMV pays program costs for indigent participants.

Official source: ignition interlock in District of Columbia

Drivers Under 21

A driver under 21 with any measurable amount of alcohol in the blood, breath or urine is legally intoxicated. The same DUI penalties as adults under § 50-2206.13, including interlock program enrollment for D.C. license holders.

Official source: drivers under 21 in District of Columbia

Driving After Using Drugs

Yes. § 50-2206.11 covers driving under the influence of alcohol or any drug or combination; 'drug' includes controlled substances and prescription and non-prescription medication. Certain drugs in the blood or urine trigger mandatory minimum jail.

Official source: driving after using drugs in District of Columbia

More on DUI Law in District of Columbia

For the state's own guidance, see DC DMV Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Program.

This page summarizes District of Columbia law from official sources, checked October 2026. It isn't legal advice; laws change, and a lawyer licensed in District of Columbia can advise on your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Penalty for a First DUI in District of Columbia?

Jail: up to 180 days; mandatory minimums apply at high BAC (10 days at 0.20 or more, 15 days above 0.25, 20 days above 0.30) or with certain drugs in the blood or urine (15 days). Fine: $1,000. License suspension: for a D.C. license holder: license restricted and mandatory enrollment in the Ignition Interlock System Program for 6 months.

How Long Do You Have to Request a License Hearing in District of Columbia?

10 days. How it is counted: service of the notice of proposed revocation (15 days if you are a nonresident). Request a show cause hearing in person at DC DMV Adjudication Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20024, or online through the DMV's Zendesk platform; the hearing can be virtual or in person. If you miss it, the suspension usually takes effect automatically.

When Is a DUI a Felony in District of Columbia?

D.C. DUI and OWI penalties top out at 1 year in jail at every offense level; the impaired-driving statutes create no felony DUI tier

Do You Need an SR-22 After a DUI in District of Columbia?

Yes. How long: 3 years from the date of conviction. An SR-22 is a form your insurer files with the state to prove you carry the required coverage.