In New Jersey, a person with a BAC of 0.08% or greater who operates a motor vehicle or a boat is considered to be driving under the influence (DUI).
Being convicted of a DUI is a serious offense, carrying heavy penalties including:
- Fines, fees and surcharges
- Jail time
- Community service
Mandatory fines and penalties
| Alcohol or drug related DUI with BAC of 0.10% or greater | |||
|
License
loss
|
Fines, fees & surcharges |
Prison
term
|
Community
service requirement
|
|
7
months–
1 year |
$300–$500
fine $75/day IDRC* fee $100 to drunk driving fund $100 to AERF* $1,000/year (for 3 years) surcharge $75 to Neighborhood Services Fund |
Up
to 30 days
|
12–48
hours IDRC*
|
| Alcohol or drug related DUI with BAC greater than 0.08% but less than 0.10% | |||
|
License
loss
|
Fines, fees & surcharges |
Prison
term
|
Community
service requirement
|
|
3
months
|
$250–$400
fine $75/day IDRC* fee $100 to drunk driving fund $100 to AERF* $1,000/year (for 3 years) surcharge $75 to Neighborhood Services Fund |
Up
to 30 days
|
12–48
hours IDRC*
|
| Repeated DUI convictions | ||||
|
Offense
|
License
loss
|
Fines, fees & surcharges |
Prison
term
|
Community
service requirement
|
|
2nd
offense within 10 years
|
2
years
|
$500–$1,000
fine $100/day IDRC* fee $100 to drunk driving fund $100 to AERF* $1,000/year (for 3 years) surcharge $75 to Neighborhood Services Fund |
48
hours–
90 days |
30
days
and 12–48 hours IDRC* |
|
3rd
offense within 10 years of 2nd offense
|
10
years
|
$1,000
fine $100/day IDRC* fee $100 to drunk driving fund $100 to AERF* $1,500/year (for 3 years) surcharge $75 to Neighborhood Services Fund |
180
days
|
Up
to 90 days (can reduce period of imprisonment) and 12–48 hours
IDRC*
|
Related Offenses
| Driving or riding with an open container | ||
| Offense | Fines | Community service |
| 1st | $200 | – |
| 2nd | $250 | 10 days |
| Driving with a DUI suspension | ||
| License loss | Fines or surcharges | Prison term |
| Additional 1–2 years |
$500
fine $250/year (for 3 years) surcharge |
10–90 days |
| Driving while possessing drugs | |
| License loss | Fines or surcharges |
| 2 years | Minimum $50 fine |
| Driving while possessing drugs | |
| License loss | Fines or surcharges |
| 2 years | Minimum $50 fine |
Notes:
- *IDRC - Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
- *AERF - Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund
- Underage drinking may cause a six-month delay in getting a license
- Alcohol and drug-related offenses require completion of an alcohol screening and evaluation program
Failure to pay DUI surcharges will result in
- Indefinite suspension of driving privileges
- Action filed in State Superior Court by MVC. This may include securing a lien against your property, garnishing your wages or other similar action
