Ohio DUI penalties are among some of the toughest in the nation. Ohio DUI/OVI penalties include minimum jail terms, driver intervention programs, license suspensions, fines, probation, restricted plates, interlock devices, and reinstatement fees. In some instances, a DUI conviction may lead to mandatory treatment programs, vehicle immobilization and/or forfeiture of the vehicle, ignition interlock, electronically monitored house arrest (EMHA), or even prison terms.
If you are convicted, or plead guilty, to an Ohio DUI offense, you may be subject to a combination of these penalties.  All DUI/OVI convictions in Ohio carry a myriad of minimum penalties.  The layout of the new Ohio DUI/OVI statutory minimum penalties is set out below.
1st DUI conviction in 6 years:
  • Misdemeanor of the 1st Degree
  • Minimum 3 days in jail or a driver intervention program with probation. Maximum of 6 months in jail.
  • Minimum $375 fine. Maximum of $1,075 fine.
  • Treatment may be ordered.
  • Mandatory license suspension of 6 months to 3 years.
  • Driving privileges not available for first 15 days (or 30 days if there was a refusal).
  • Optional yellow license plates (the DUI plates) and Interlock device.
1st DUI conviction in 6 years and either high-end test or any prior in 20 years with a refusal:
  • Misdemeanor of the 1st Degree
  • Minimum 6 days in jail or 3 days in jail and 3 days in driver intervention program. Maximum 6 months in jail.
  • Minimum $375 fine. Maximum of $1,075 fine.
  • Treatment may be ordered.
  • Mandatory license suspension of 6 months to 3 years.
  • Driving privileges not available for first 15 days (or 30 days if there was a refusal).
  • Mandatory yellow license plates (the DUI plates) for high-end test. Interlock device optional.
2nd DUI conviction in 6 years:
  • Misdemeanor of the 1st Degree
  • Minimum 10 days in jail, or 5 days in jail and 18 days of Electronically Monitored House Arrest. Maximum 6 months in jail.
  • Minimum $525 fine. Maximum of $1,625 fine.
  • Alcohol/drug assessment and following recommendations mandatory.
  • Mandatory license suspension of 1 to 5 years.
  • Driving privileges not available for first 45 days.
  • Vehicle immobilized for 90 days if registered to defendant.
  • Mandatory restricted plates (the DUI plates). Interlock device required if offense is alcohol related.
2nd DUI conviction in 6 years and either high-end test or any prior in 20 years and refusal:
  • Misdemeanor of the 1st Degree
  • Minimum 20 days in jail or 10 days in jail and 36 days of Electronically Monitored House Arrest. Maximum 6 months in jail.
  • Minimum $525 fine. Maximum of $1,625 fine.
  • Alcohol/drug assessment and following recommendations mandatory.
  • Mandatory license suspension of 1 to 5 years.
  • Driving privileges not available for first 45 days.
  • Vehicle immobilized for 90 days if registered to defendant.
  • Mandatory restricted plates (the DUI plates). Interlock device required if offense is alcohol related.
3rd DUI conviction in 6 years:
  • Unclassified misdemeanor
  • Minimum 30 days in jail, or 15 days in jail and 55 days of Electronically Monitored House Arrest. Maximum 1 year in jail.
  • Minimum $850 fine. Maximum of $2,750 fine.
  • Alcohol/drug assessment and following recommendations mandatory.
  • Mandatory license suspension of 2 to 10 years.
  • Driving privileges not available for first 180 days.
  • Forfeiture of vehicle if registered to defendant.
  • Mandatory restricted plates (the DUI plates). Interlock device required if offense is alcohol related.
3rd DUI conviction in 6 years and either high-end test or any prior in 20 years with a refusal:
  • Unclassified misdemeanor
  • Minimum 60 days in jail, or 30 days in jail and 110 days of Electronically Monitored House Arrest. Maximum 1 year in jail.
  • Minimum $850 fine. Maximum of $2,750 fine.
  • Alcohol/drug assessment and following recommendations mandatory.
  • Mandatory license suspension of 2 to 10 years.
  • Driving privileges not available for first 180 days.
  • Forfeiture of vehicle if registered to defendant.
  • Mandatory restricted plates (the DUI plates). Interlock device required if offense is alcohol related.
4th DUI conviction and beyond:
  • DUI penalties continue to increase the more you are convicted of DUI.
  • With 3 or more prior DUIs within 6 years, any further DUI is, at a minimum, a 4th Degree Felony and can include prison time.
  • Fines increase to range from $1,350 minimum to $10,500 maximum.
  • Alcohol/drug assessment and following recommendations mandatory.
  • Mandatory license suspension of 3 years to life.
  • Mandatory restricted plates (the DUI plates). Interlock device required if offense is alcohol related.
  • Forfeiture of vehicle if registered to defendant.
If you have been charged with a DUI/OVI, contact your attorney immediately so that the potential penalties you may face can be assessed as soon as possible.  

Disclaimer: The information on this page should only be taken as an example of current potential DUI/OVI penalties (2011). DUI/OVI and its penalties are subject to constant change by the Ohio legislature. Ohio DUI Penalties are tough, and traditionally have only gotten tougher.