Ohio DUI Laws

In the state of Ohio, driving under the influence is a serious offense. If you are caught driving under the influence in the state of Ohio, you will have to serve mandatory jail time, and you could be fined up to $1,000 – even if it’s your first offense. In most cases, drivers with multiple offenses will have to forfeit their vehicles. In others, the drivers could lose his driving privileges for life.

What is the blood alcohol content level (BAC) limit in the state of Ohio?

In the state of Ohio, it is a crime to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. If your BAC is anywhere between 0.08% Sentence enhancements exist for cases involving a BAC over 0.08%.

In the state of Ohio what is the administrative license suspension period for a first offense?

In the state of Ohio, if you get arrested for DUI, the administrative license suspension time for a first offense is 90 days. During the 90-day suspension period, drivers may be able to restore driving privileges after 15 days. Driving privileges may be restored under special circumstances only.

In the state of Ohio, what are the penalties for a first DUI offense? Second offense?

In the state of Ohio, first offenses carry a mandatory 72 hours in jail if your BAC is between 0.08% and 0.17%. You will also be fined a minimum $250 and maximum, $1,000. For second offenses, you will have to spend a mandatory 10 days in jail if your BAC is between 0.08% and 0.17%. Fines range from a minimum $350 up to a maximum $1,500. In many cases, you will have to enroll in an alcohol treatment program or driver intervention program. You will have to pay for these programs out of your own pocket.

If you commit a third offense within 6 years of the first, you will receive an automatic 3-year administrative license suspension. Once your case has been settled, you could end up losing your license for anywhere from 2-10 years. You will have to spend a mandatory minimum 30 days in jail if your BAC was between 0.08% and 0.17%. In some cases, you may be placed on house arrest instead of serving jail time. This is strictly up to the courts to decide. Fines will range from a minimum of $500 up to a maximum $2,500 for third offenses.