Rhode Island DUI Laws

In the state of Rhode Island you will be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is 0.08%, the minimum BAC known to impair everyone.

First Rhode Island DWI Offense

• Up to 1-year imprisonment and/or 10 to 60 hours community service
• $100 to $300 fine if BAC is 0.08%
• $100 to $400 fine if BAC is 0.09% to 0.15%
• $500 fine if BAC is above 0.15%
• $500 highway assessment fee
• 30 to 180 days license suspension if BAC is 0.08%
• 3 months to 1 year if BAC is 0.09% to 0.15%
• 3 months to 18 months is above 0.15%
• Mandatory attendance to DWI course

Second Rhode Island DWI Offense (within 5 years of previous offense)

• 10 days to 1-year imprisonment if BAC is 0.08%
• 6 months to 1 year if BAC is above 0.15%
• $400 fine if BAC is 0.08%
• $1000 fine if BAC is above 0.15%
• $500 highway assessment fee
• 1 to 2-year license suspension if BAC is 0.08%
• 2-year license suspension is above 0.15%
• Mandatory ignition interlock for 1 to 2 years
• Mandatory alcohol/drug treatment

Third Rhode Island DWI Offense (within 5 years of previous offense)

• Felony conviction
• 1 to 3-year(s) imprisonment if BAC is 0.08%
• 3 to 5 years if BAC is above 0.15%
• $400 fine if BAC is 0.08%
• $1000 to $5000 fine if BAC is above 0.15%
• $500 highway assessment fee
• 2 to 3-year license suspension if BAC is 0.08%
• 3-year license suspension is above 0.15%
• Mandatory ignition interlock for 2 years
• Mandatory alcohol/drug treatment
• Possible vehicle seizure

Rhode Island’s implied consent law means that if you are pulled over for suspected DWI and you refuse to submit to a test, your license will be suspended for 90 days. Further penalties will be assessed at the time of your hearing wherein you can still be charged with an addition DWI offense.