California Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Penalties
Drunk driving is one of the leading factors for motor vehicle accidents and fatalities. It is recognized as a crime punishable under state law. Here are penalties imposed by the state of California against driving under the influence (DUI) offenders:
- First DUI Conviction
The sentence imposed may reach up to six months in jail and a fine between $390 and $1,000 (plus about three times the fine in penalty assessments). Your vehicle may be impounded and is subject to storage fees.
Driving privilege will be suspended for six months and a DUI program must be completed reinstatement. For BAC 20% or higher, the court will refer an enhanced DUI treatment program and license will be suspended for 10 months.
Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) may be required by the court if BAC was 0.15% or higher, or with 2 or more prior moving violations, or refusal of a chemical test at the time of your arrest. If anyone was injured as a result of your driving, the suspension period is one year. - Administrative Per Se (APS) Zero Tolerance Law
A person who is on probation for a DUI offense may not operate a motor vehicle at any time with a BAC of 0.01% or greater and his license may be suspended for a year.
Refusal or failure to complete a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) or chemical test while on probation will result in a 2-year revocation of your driving privilege.
Two or more prior DUI convictions within ten years will result to 3-year revocation driving privileges. A restricted license will not be provided for any of the above violations. - Person Under 21
- By a fine of one hundred dollars ($100).
- For a second infraction occurring within one year of a prior infraction that resulted in a conviction, a fine of two hundred dollars ($200).
- For a third or any subsequent infraction occurring within one year of two or more prior infractions that resulted in convictions, a fine of three hundred dollars ($300).
- DUI Probation License Suspension (AB 1165 Maze)
This new law allows the DMV to administratively suspend the driver’s license for one year and authorizes law enforcement to issue a notice of suspension and impound the vehicle of a person who is driving with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01 percent or greater while on court-ordered post-DUI probation.