r/dui

Look, I get that my BAC was above the legal limit. I really do understand. I wasn’t expecting to get off scot-free, obviously. I’ll even admit that it was my fault and that, even if the police stopped me illegally (totally did but whatever), I still operated a motor vehicle while under the influence and that my driving skills could have been impaired (if ever so slightly).

All of that being said, a year suspension on my license seems rather extreme, does it not? I mean, I feel like I learned my lesson when I had to have my younger brother drive me to work everyday. Was the humiliation of getting dropped off by a 19 year old who would follow me inside to talk to my work crush that he ended up fucking not enough for the court?

He said he was gonna stop driving me to work because I was “being a bitch” so recently I’ve had to bust out my bike and it took me well over an hour to get there and by the time I did I was covered in sweat, unable to stand from exhaustion, and undoubtedly smelled like shit.

I can’t do this for another year. I need to just be able to drive. I’m also not allowed to consume alcohol during this time which just adds insult to injury. Let’s make this guys life suck even more! Gonna have to do some community service for a while too, so there goes my weekends for a while especially considering that I have to WALK to the food bank I’m volunteering at.

Has anyone successfully gotten their license back early? This is my second DUI so I know I should be lucky I didn’t get jail time but I really do think I’ve learned my lesson and I promise that I will never drink and drive ever again. Is there anything I can say to the judge to get him to just shorten the suspension to lIke three months or something?

For context, the town I got pulled over in is known for dick cops (I live in NJ) and was pulled over cause they scanned my plate and saw my registration expired last month. I passed all sobriety test but had liquor spilled on my shirt beforehand so I smelled like it, I did drink that night too so they took me to the station. I blew under the legal limit (0.075) so I just have some questions about where to go from here.

1. is it recommended for me to get a DUI lawyer in that town or is any fine?

2. will this affect a lot of my friendships unless I explain the situation?

3. what are my chances of my life being affected by this? Was trying to go for a CDL but now I’m really scared.

Thanks for anyone who can respond!

Hello, I just found out I have to do 23 days of jail for my guilty plea to my first dui misdemeanor with no injuries, with some of it being possible to do community service instead. I will find out at the sheriff's office how much can be community service. I guess they decide.

I'm really scared of going to jail...

I'm in Idaho.

Edit: Yes, I had a lawyer. The officer said I scratched him when he pulled me out of my car so they charged me for a felony battery also initially, which was plead down to a misdemeanor. I didn't remember the arrest and didn't take a test.

So I’ve recently entered the PTI program after getting a DUI back in December One of my biggest regrets and worst mistakes I’ve made and at the same time a big wake up call for me Although I never had trouble or issues not drinking I have been an avid and heavy smoker from 15 to now 22 and with my PTI I obviously can’t drink or smoke but not being able to smoke has been the biggest challenge for myself so far I’m not here to look for loop holes or anything like that but instead asking for any advice on sobriety anyone could give me during these next 5 months I know it isn’t a long time and I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given I also know at my young age it’s hard to find anyone to relate to my certain situation or to get advice from (:

How often if ever were you called in for a random UA while on supervised probation?

I live in Georgia and have a Georgia license, but got a DUI in another state. Anyone had this happen? Is Georgia likely to find out?

Washington state in 2024 I got 2 DUI within 3 months of each other first one for alcohol second for weed.

Already hired an attorney immediately after the first DUI my arraignment is in a week.

Mom died of a heart attack despite my best efforts at CPR and I was in a dark place for the year. Doesn't excuse the intoxicated driving if course. I don't plan to use it as a justification in court not sure trying for sympathy gets you anywhere.

First one involved a fender bender due to air in my break lines that I needed to pump the breaks but instead I slammed on em. Other driver who didn't speak English asked me to call the cops and I thought I was sober enough they wouldn't notice I had drank (cop said he could smell alcohol on me) Provided my attorney with dash cam video to show my driving was fine despite the imparment I am not sure if she is going to use it though. Second one cop said he could smell weed coming from my car. Both times they took blood. First one cop left me at the hospital with a dead phone. Second one I spent one day in jail.

Its been a year and half and I have prepared by saving sick and vacation time for work. Also moved within walking/bicycle distance of work informed my employer of potential time I may miss from work for Jail time.

I will try to keep this updated. Yes, I know I fucked up, and I could have killed myself or someone else. Knowing that has made me feel more fortunate. I got very lucky. Okay, arrested May 16th by FHP. Lawyer $3500. Bond $400 (only guy that would do it). Level 1 DUI $almost 400. Getting my car for $278. And now I'm headed to get my hardship since I didn't blow a couple more $100. We're over $5k in 3 days. It's my first, and it will be my last. Any guidance?

Anyone else agree the waiting is the worst part? I’ll be happy one second then the next I’ll remember what waits ahead…

I’m looking for experiences from people in Illinois who’ve gone through something similar with a 2nd DUI and license revocation hearing.

Here’s my situation:

My first DUI was in 2022, and I was able to get my license back within about 6 months after that.

I then received my second DUI in November 2025 (convicted in March 2026). My license is now revoked/suspended, and my eligibility date to go before the Secretary of State hearing is January 2027.

For my current case, I was sentenced to conditional discharge (no probation officer). My requirements include:

•	Victim Impact Panel

•	Substance abuse/DUI education class (in progress)

•	240 hours of community service (in progress)

•	2 days jail time

•	Reinstatement fee (\~$500)

I’m completing everything I need to and should have all requirements done before my eligibility date.

I stopped drinking completely on February 6, 2026, right after the DUI and jail time. I haven’t drank since and don’t plan to drink again at all. I’m fully committed to staying sober long-term.

My questions:

At my January 2027 hearing, what should I realistically expect? Is there any chance of getting my license fully reinstated at that point, or is it almost guaranteed I’ll be given a restricted driving permit with an ignition interlock device first?

If I do get an ignition interlock (BAIID), how long is that typically required for a 2nd DUI revocation in Illinois? Is it usually years, or can it be shorter if you stay compliant?

Also, is there any point in getting the interlock installed early (before the eligibility date), and does time driving with it actually help prove anything at the hearing or count toward compliance in any way?

Just trying to understand what people have actually experienced with a 2nd DUI revocation in Illinois and what the realistic outcome usually looks like.

I have an interlock in my car for 5 more months I go today to get a calibration done, I was just wondering if anyone knows does the case manager look into every where I went and the times? (I’m on restricted license) or do they only look into it if I get a violation?

I'm going to have my iid removed and order a pbt while I have car repairs done. Smart start quoted me $50 with a $80 per month lease. If you don't count installation and removal, my IID was cheaper at $70 a month with them so i'm looking for a different company. I figure that there is not much that can go wrong with a PBT compared to an IID so I might as well go with the cheapest option. What company did you go with and what did you pay? Thank you

Back on 5/2, I used my IID to see if the device came up as passed/failed. The first came as failed; I tried it again - same.
I had no intent on driving (there was literally a car parked behind me the whole time).
My battery had died a few weeks prior due to leaving the car in my apartment parking garage without ever starting it.

Long story short - I now have a court appearance this week. Am I screwed?
I don’t understand how this is a violation; the whole point of the IiD is to prevent one from driving when over the legal limit. It’s not against the law to drink.

Got a DUI in Oklahoma. Deferred sentence and completed all requirements. Ended up joining the Army and I got pulled over for a DUI on a Military base in Washington…Blew a .23.
Anyone know how the DUI process works on a military installation? Will my prior offense in Oklahoma be used against me? Can anyone provide some insight on what I should expect? Anyone else been in the military and going through the same thing? Thanks in advance.

I got a DUI out of state (DC) and my home state (MD) is revoking my license, however I can request a hearing. Is it worth battling having my license revoked in this situation and or should I pay to have a have hearing? I’m just not sure of my luck and i’m taking the situation seriously — mainly I need my car for work.

I'm having my IID put in tomorrow. It's a 1 year commitment and had a few questions. Life saver is the company.

What happens if your battery goes dead in your vehicle? Do you have to get it towed?

Are these things even dependable or am I going to be late for work all the time?

I've been reading up and I see a lot of horror stories.

It's been 36 years since I've had my license, I'm finally able to get it back.

I just want to get this behind me. I've been sober for 7 years so this isn't the problem. I just don't want to be late for work because I'm on a point system.

Thank you so much Chattanooga Tennessee

sorry for the long story.

so about a month ago i was partying with friends in philly and then decided to go to rowan university to see my girlfriend. soon as i got off the last highway in NJ i hit a curb coming off the exit ramp and blew my front passenger tire out. once i was safely far enough from the exit ramp i pulled over to check the damage and try changing the tire. rowan pd saw me, and lit me up to check if i was okay. i was super cooperative with them (honestly pretty cool officers all around) but they had me do the FSTs and i don’t think i did too bad aside from the one leg stand but they arrested me anyway and i blew a .16 at the station. they also found an empty shooter bottle that was super old in the back passenger door. got 4 tickets:

dui
open container
reckless driving
careless driving

they released me that night into my girlfriend’s custody and i was able to go back home after getting the car fixed 2 days later. i hired a lawyer (jason pollack if anyone’s heard of him) and had my first court date over zoom a couple weeks ago where he just pled not guilty. super nervous about what could happen so i did what anyone does in this day and age and turned to AI tools for advice. they’re all giving me different answers but are saying i have no room for negotiation. before you come at me i know i fucked up and was being stupid, but right now i need advice on what happens next. my next court date is a month out and i just received the discovery packet from my lawyer yesterday. i have no priors and a spotless driving record before this, and so i’m just trying to see if anyone has advice for me/knows my chances of getting shitty penalties. IID isn’t ideal but i know it’s probably unavoidable, i just don’t wanna lose my license. this whole situation’s really stressing me out even though it’s my own damn fault, but i also know it could’ve been a lot worse. anyone got anything for me? advice specific to NJ is preferred but i’ll take anyone’s account

22M got pulled over on suspicion of DUI while on my way back home from OCEAN CITY, blew a .12 at the state barracks when they tested me there (i took the test as i had absolutely no clue what the fuck to do whether i should accept or refuse) what can i do to beat this charge and get the absolute most minimal sentence? i’m 22 in college and i want to continue and finish my degree so i can get the hełł away from here. can anyone please help me?

My Tesla software update triggered a rolling retest while I wasn’t even in the car. The data log shows the car was turned off, then hours later the retest violation occurred without the car ever being “started”. The tesla is always “on” like as if in a traditional car the key was turned once in the ignition so the radio would turn on (for example). To start the car you merely get in with your phone and press the break. Thus, I have to blow before hitting the break to start the car with the device but I can sit in the car with the radio on without it triggering the device.

The retest is only supposed to trigger after the car is started but somehow when the software installed, the device prompted for a retest. It doesn’t make sense bc the car was never started to trigger the retest requirement. I don’t understand how intoxalock can treat this as a violation when the car was never turned on (into a drivable mode) in the first place. Has anyone else dealt with this?

I think it’s fundamentally unfair for intoxalock to advertise as Tesla compatible if it can’t distinguish between software updates and starting the car. They are telling me they won’t invalidate the violation and it will be sent to the DMV who will be able to suspend my license at their discretion. I’m so upset I can’t believe this is happening when I literally did nothing wrong. Not to mention its already cost me $122.