Driving Under the Influence FAQs
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Natasha McLachlan
Content Writer
Natasha McLachlan is a writer who currently lives in Southern California. She is an alumna of California College of the Arts, where she obtained her B.A. in Writing and Literature. Her current work revolves around auto insurance guides and informational articles. She truly enjoys helping others learn more about everyday, practical matters through her work.
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UPDATED: Oct 1, 2020
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UPDATED: Oct 1, 2020
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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While each state has its own laws, rules, and regulations that govern driving under the influence (DUI) charges, there are some general facts that you should know when it comes to being charged with a DUI and the surrounding circumstances that accompany such a charge.
I Have Been Charged With A DUI, What Do I Do Now?
The best advice is to get legal representation as soon as possible. This is because you will have your license suspended and face a court hearing that will determine your guilt or innocence. Having proper legal representation means getting the best chance at winning the case or at least reducing the fine and potential jail time.
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How Long Does A DUI Stay on My Record for Insurance?
Although it is somewhat different in each state, generally speaking a single DUI conviction will be on your insurance record for 3 to 7 years. Afterwards, if you do not get another DUI conviction it will be removed and your insurance premiums should go back down. Remember however that a DUI conviction will stay on your criminal record for the rest of your life.
How Much Will My Insurance Go Up After A DUI?
Again, while the amount may vary depending on where you live, the average increase after a single DUI conviction is up to 94% above what you are currently paying today. Essentially, you will be paying double the rate you currently pay for the first year and even by the third year the rate is still on average 63% higher compared to not having a DUI conviction.
How Much Does It Cost to File An SR-22 or FR-44?
The filing fee is a rather small one with the average being $25 or less depending on where you live. Plus, if you need to file both the SR-22 and FR-44 (read more about FR-44 in Florida and Virginia), you may receive a discount if they are filed together along with any other required forms. You will need to check with your state and insurance company to see what the exact filing rate is for both forms.
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What is the Punishment for Drunk Driving?
The punishment for driving your vehicle while intoxicated and not breaking any other laws, causing property damage or injury can be up to one year in jail and a $10,000 fine depending on where you live. In most cases, a first time offense will result in probation which means no jail time is served, but you will have to pay the fine, court costs, having your driver’s license suspended, and the many other costs associated with a drunken driving conviction.
What is the Legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Level?
In most states, the BAC is 0.08% which means that if you are under the limit you cannot be charged with driving under the influence. However, it is possible to be charged with reckless driving if you were driving erratically on the road. There are some states in which the BAC is less so you will need to check with your local laws to see what level is acceptable.
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Natasha McLachlan
Content Writer
Natasha McLachlan is a writer who currently lives in Southern California. She is an alumna of California College of the Arts, where she obtained her B.A. in Writing and Literature. Her current work revolves around auto insurance guides and informational articles. She truly enjoys helping others learn more about everyday, practical matters through her work.
Content Writer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.