In Connecticut, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a criminal offense. This offense may be prosecuted with or without any direct evidence of a person’s BAC. The determining factor is whether a person’s ability to drive has been impaired.

Driving is a privilege, and under Connecticut’s Implied Consent Law any person who operates a motor vehicle is presumed to have given his or her consent to a test to determine blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

You are legally intoxicated if your BAC is .08 or above.

If you are under 21 years of age, you are legally intoxicated at a .02 BAC or higher.

Any amount of alcohol will affect driving ability. Alcohol’s effect is magnified by emotions, physical condition, use of prescription drugs or other types of drugs, some over-the-counter medications and some herbal supplements.

• You will be detained by the police and read your rights.
• Your vehicle will be towed at your expense.
• You will be taken in a police cruiser to the police station.
• If the test registers a BAC of .08 or higher, you will be held on the presumption that you were operating under the influence.
• You will be kept in a police lock-up until you are bailed out.

When a driver is arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the arrest report is sent to DMV. Upon receipt of the arrest report, DMV imposes a suspension under Connecticut General Statute §14-227b for the failure of the blood, breath or urine test (whichever is requested by the arresting officer) or for the refusal to submit to the test. In most cases, the suspension will begin 30 days after the arrest date. The license suspension is based on the arrest information and is separate from any penalties or requirements that may be imposed as a result of the court case.

A notice of suspension will be mailed to the address of record allowing you seven days to request a hearing. If you wish to request a hearing, call the Administrative Per Se Unit at 860-263-5204 (8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) before the deadline stated on your suspension notice.

Beginning with arrest dates on or after July 1, 2015, ALL driver license suspensions for failing or refusing a chemical alcohol test will be forty-five (45) days.

Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) will be required prior to restoration for ALL alcohol related suspensions. Following restoration, the IID must be maintained for at least the length of time listed below:

IID requirement for drivers under 21 years old*

IID requirement for drivers 21 Years Old and Older*

IID requirement for ALL drivers*

*If you are convicted in court for operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs under Connecticut General Statute §14-227a for the same arrest, the IID may be required for a longer term. The IID is required for the duration specified in Connecticut General Statute §14-227b(i) or Connecticut General Statute §14-227a(g), whichever is longer. See Section 2 below.

If you were arrested prior to July 1, 2015 you may petition in writing to the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles for the option to participate in the IID program. After serving at least 45 days of your suspension for failing or refusing the chemical test, you will be required to have an IID for the remainder of the original suspension, plus the additional duration required (if any) following a conviction under Connecticut General Statute §14-227a for the same arrest.

 

2. Court conviction for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (OUI)

 

Under Connecticut’s criminal law, a driver arrested for OUI will receive both a summons and a court date. If the court proceedings result in a conviction, the following penalties must be imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles:

 

Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

Connecticut General Statute §14-227a or §14-227g

Conviction on or after July 1, 2015

For arrests prior to July 1, 2015 you may petition in writing to the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles for the option to participate in the IID program after serving at least 45 days of the suspension under Connecticut General Statute §14-227b for the same arrest. You will be required to have an IID for the time required conviction under Connecticut General Statute §14-227a or Connecticut General Statute §14-227b, whichever is longer.

 

Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

Connecticut General Statute §14-227a, §14-227g, or §14-111n

Conviction after January 1, 2012

Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

Connecticut General Statute §14-227a, §14-227g, or §14-111n

Conviction prior to January 1, 2012

Under Age 21

Age 21 or older

 

Manslaughter with a Motor Vehicle, Connecticut General Statute §53a-56b

Assault with a Motor Vehicle, Connecticut General Statute §53a-60d

 

 

To determine if a conviction is a first, second, or third/subsequent offense, any and all convictions reported under Connecticut General Statutes §14-111n, §14-227a, §14-227g, §53a-56b or §53a-60d are considered.

For information concerning restoration or IID requirements, you may write or call:

 

Department of Motor Vehicles

Driver Services Division

60 State Street

Wethersfield, CT 06161-2525

[email protected]

Phone: 860-263-5720