Wisconsin DUI Laws & Penalties

Wisconsin Drunk Driving Laws Explained in Easy to Understand Simple Terms

Wisconsin OWI is described in Wisconsin DUI statute 346.63 Operating Under the Influence of intoxicant or other drug. It states that no person may drive or operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, a controlled substance or any combination of the 2 to a degree which renders him or her incapable of safely driving.

It also states that it is illegal to drive with a prohibited blood alcohol concentration (which is .08% or greater). Further info found on the Wisconsin OWI Statutes page. 

If you are driving under the influence of alcohol in the state of Wisconsin, you will be arrested for Wisconsin OWI law violations. When this happens, you need to contact a lawyer. Your lawyer will help protect your right to keep your driver’s license as long as possible. If you are driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, you are considered in violation of Wisconsin OWI laws.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Testing

If you are driving in Wisconsin, you are automatically indicating that you will submit to blood alcohol content testing if an officer should suspect that you are driving drunk. You can refuse to take this test, but if you do you are facing a one-year license suspension, and a thirty-day wait before you can get a limited license to drive to work. If you feel that you should not take the test, it is best to talk to a lawyer first.

Wisconsin Occupational Licenses

In Wisconsin OWI first offense cases the arrestee can immediately apply for an occupational license, which will allow him or her to drive to and from work. However, on second and third offenses there is a waiting period before you can apply for this license. You will submit your application with a $40 fee to the Division of Motor Vehicles service center.

Wisconsin First Offense DUI Penalties

  • Fine between $150 and $300
  • Drivers license suspension for 6-9 months
  • Alcohol assessment, education and treatment

Wisconsin Second Offense DUI Penalties

  • Jail time between 5 days and 6 months
  • Fines between $350 and $1100
  • $335 surcharge
  • Drivers license suspension from 12 to 18 months
  • Alcohol assessment, education and treatment

Wisconsin Third Offense DUI

  • Jail time from 30 days up to 1 year
  • Court fines between $600 and $2000
  • $355 surcharge
  • Drivers license suspension for 2 to 3 years
  • Alcohol assessment, education and treatment
  • Ignition interlock system

Insurance Considerations for a Wisconsin DUI/OWI

SR-22 insurance is required in the state of Wisconsin after an OWI conviction.  This type of insurance is classified as ‘high risk‘ meaning you are a higher risk to the insurance companies so consequently they will charge more for taking on more risk.  This can get very expensive if you sign up for one of these policies with the wrong company.

DUI Arrest Help.com has partnered with the largest and most trusted SR22 insurance provider in the state of Wisconsin and has worked out a special discount only available here for our website visitors.

You won’t be able to find a cheaper SR22 insurance policy in Wisconsin for any less.

Additional Wisconsin DUI Resources