What happens when you get a DUI in Idaho?

If you are charged with a DUI in Idaho, you should take the situation seriously right off the bat.

Your first DUI charge will be treated as a misdemeanor, but it still comes with very serious fines and penalties.

You should secure legal representation to defend against your DUI charge and make sure that you comply with all state requirements if you have been convicted of a DUI.

You may also need to be very proactive in securing car insurance coverage after a DUI conviction because your premium will likely be much more expensive.

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DUI Laws in Idaho

In Idaho, operating a vehicle while having a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08 percent or more is considered a criminal offense if you are at least 21 years old.

If you are under the age of 21, then you are not allowed to drive with a BAC of .02 percent or higher.

If you are operating a commercial vehicle, your BAC cannot be at or above .04 percent.

It is also illegal to drive with open containers of alcohol in Idaho. All opened containers of alcohol must be stored in the trunk of the car.

If you get pulled over by a police officer and he or she has probable cause to believe you have been driving after consuming alcohol, you are required to submit to a breathalyzer test.

Pursuant to Idaho Code Section 18-8002, Idaho is considered an implied consent state, which means that you automatically consent to have this test administered to you just by driving in the state.

The other thing that is important to remember about being asked to take a breathalyzer is that you are required to take it as soon as you are asked. You will not be given the opportunity to consult with a lawyer.

If you refuse the test, you could be hit with a fine of up to $250 for your first offense as well as a possible license suspension.

DUI Penalties in Idaho

The penalties of being convicted a DUI in Idaho increase in severity with each offense.

• First Offense – For your first DUI offense in Idaho, you could face up to six months in jail, a suspension of your license for at least 30 days and a maximum fine of $1,000.
• Second Offense – For your second offense within a 10-year time frame, you will face at least 10 days in jail, a license suspension for up to one year and a $2,000 fine.
• Third Offense – A third offense within a 10-year time frame is classified as a felony in Idaho and comes with a jail sentence of a minimum of 30 days, a license suspension for up to five years, and a $5,000 fine.
• Habitual Offenders – For habitual or repeat DUI offenders in Idaho, they may be forced to have an ignition interlock device installed in their cars, which will not allow drivers to start their cars if they register as having any alcohol in their system.

The Points System for DUIs in Idaho

Drivers in Idaho are given points on their license for various moving violations that they are convicted of.

If you get too many points on your license, it can be suspended for a period of time based on how many points you have accumulated.

For example, if you accumulate 12 or more points within a one-year period, then you could have your license suspended for 30 days.

Drivers have the opportunity to remove points from their license every three years by taking approved defensive driving courses or completing city-sponsored Traffic Education courses. It takes five to seven years for points to expire from a driver’s license.

Revocation and Suspension of a Driver’s License in Idaho

The difference between license suspension and revocation is that if your license is suspended, you are only prohibited from driving for a certain period of time.

If you have a suspended license, you may be able to get a restricted permit so that you can drive for very specific purposes, such as commuting to work or in the event of an emergency.

In addition to having too many points on your license, it could also be suspended if you are convicted of reckless driving, fleeing the scene of an accident, or not having proof of current insurance.

In order to get your license reinstated, you must wait for the time period of suspension to expire. Then, you will pay a fee between $25 and $285 to the Idaho DMV. You will need to fill out the paperwork to have a new license at an Idaho DMV location.

You will have to also show proof that fines and court costs for your DUI conviction have been paid. In addition, you may have to show proof of insurance and have your insurance provider send in an SR-22 insurance certificate.

DUI Precautions After a Conviction

After a DUI, an ignition interlock device in your car can prevent you from repeating your offense.

You may also be required to enroll in Idaho’s Alcohol Safety Action Program for understanding the dangers of drinking and driving in order to get your driver’s license back.

Insuring a DUI Offender in Idaho

Even if you have a DUI in Idaho, you will still need to secure auto insurance. You may need to find an insurance company that takes high-risk drivers.

The state DMV is a good point of contact if you are unable to get reasonable quotes online. They have risk pools for drivers in this situation and charge a higher rate to be able to get the insurance coverage that they are required to have in Idaho.

There are ways that you can obtain SR-22 insurance in Idaho even after a DUI conviction.

Auto insurance companies that offer this coverage may also have discounts available for other good driving behavior. Good driving behavior could include taking a safe driving course and earning a discount for proactive behavior.

You may also get a discount for having multiple lines of insurance policies through the same insurance provider. A multi-policy discount could mean that you have your life insurance, renters insurance, and car insurance with the same provider.

Recap on What Happens When You Get a DUI in Idaho

Even if you are convicted of a DUI for the first time in Idaho, this is a very serious situation that carries stiff penalties.

In addition to paying a fine and having your driver’s license suspended, you could find it much harder and expensive to secure the car insurance coverage that you need in order to meet state requirements.

If you’ve gotten a DUI, start comparison shopping for auto insurance quotes by entering your ZIP code below!