New Jersey DWI Laws & Penalties Prior To 12/1/19

If you were arrested for drunk driving, you faced these penalties if you were found guilty:

NJ DWI First Offense (BAC .08-.10)

• Jail for up to 30 days
• Fines $250-400
• License suspended for 3 months
• Alcohol education classes at at Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for 12-48 hours total
• Additional DMV surcharges & court fees totaling nearing $4000

NJ DWI First Offense (BAC .10 or higher – or DWI Drugs)

• Jail for up to 30 days
• Fines $300-500
• License suspended for 7 months to 1 year
• Alcohol education classes at at Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for 12-48 hours total
• Additional DMV surcharges & court fees totaling nearing $4000
• Possible Ignition Interlock Device 6 months – 1 year after license suspension

NJ DWI/DUI Second (2nd) Offense

• Jail for up to 90 days, 2 days minimum
• Fines $500-1000
• License suspended for 2 years
• Alcohol education classes at at Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for 12-48 hours total
• Additional DMV surcharges & court fees totaling nearing $4000
• Possible Ignition Interlock Device for 1-3 years after license suspension OR auto registration revoked for 2 years

NJ DWI/DUI Third (3rd) Offense

• Jail for a minimum of 6 months
• Fines $1000
• License suspended for 10 years
• Alcohol education classes at at Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for 12-48 hours total
• Additional DMV surcharges & court fees totaling nearing $4000
• Possible Ignition Interlock Device for 1-3 years after license suspension OR auto registration revoked for 10 years

Enhanced DWI Penalties

School or School Crossing Zone

If you are found guilty of a DWI and were found to be driving within 1000 feet of school property or a school crossing zone, you could go to jail for up to 60 days on a first offense, and face fines of $500-1000, and an additional license suspension of 1-2 years.

For a second offense DWI violation with 1000 feet of a school, there is a mandatory 60 days community service, 4-180 days in jail, fines $1000-$2000, and an additional 4 year license suspension.

For a third offense DWI violation with 1000 feet of a school, you will be sentenced to 6 months in jail, fines of $2000, and an additional 20 year license suspension.

For refusing to submit to a breath test for a DWI charge within a school zone, fines are $500-1000, and an additional license suspension of 1 year on a first offense, 4 years on a second offense, and 20 years on a third offense.

New Jersey DWI Laws & Penalties As Of 12/1/19

If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving, you now face the following penalties if you are found guilty:

NJ DWI First Offense (BAC .08-.10)

• You could be imprisoned up to 30 days
• Fines $250-400
• License will be suspended until you pay for and install an ignition interlock device
• Alcohol education classes at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for 12-48 hours total

NJ DWI First Offense (BAC .10 but less than 0.15%)

• You could be imprisoned up to 30 days
• Fines $300-500
• License will be suspended until you pay for and install an ignition interlock device
• Alcohol education classes at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for 12-48 hours total

NJ DWI First Offense (BAC 0.15% and higher)

• You could be imprisoned up to 30 days
• Fines $300-500
• License will be suspended for 4 – 6 months
• Alcohol education classes at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for up to 48 hours total

NJ DWI/DUI Second (2nd) Offense

• Jail for up to 90 days, 2 days minimum
• HEAVY Fines
• License suspended for 1 – 2 years
• Ignition Interlock Device for 2 – 4 years after license suspension

NJ DWI/DUI Third (3rd) Offense

• Jail for a minimum of 6 months
• HEAVY Fines
• License suspended for 8 years
• Ignition Interlock Device for 2 – 4 years after license suspension