Learn about the penalties for a first, second, and third DWI conviction in New Jersey.

New Jersey prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence or with a blood alcohol content (BAC) or .08% or greater. Also, a vehicle owner can get a DWI conviction for permitting an intoxicated person to operate the owner’s vehicle.

Operation of a vehicle. A person can be convicted of DWI for operating or attempting to operate a vehicle under the influence. For a conviction, there must be evidence of intent to drive (actual physical control and overt action) but there doesn’t need to be actual movement of the vehicle.

Under the influence. Drivers are prohibited from being under the influence of intoxicating liquors, narcotics, hallucinogens, or habit-producing drugs. “Under the influence” is defined as a substantial deterioration or diminution of the mental faculties or physical capabilities.

Per se DWI. A driver can be convicted of DWI without proof of actual intoxication if the driver’s BAC is .08% or more. This is termed a “per se DWI.” Our BAC calculator can give you an estimate of how many drinks it takes to reach a certain BAC.

New Jersey DWI Penalties

The statutory limitations for DWI penalties depend on whether the offense is a first, second, or third offense. An offense that occurs more than ten years after a first offense will be penalized as a first offense. And a third offense where none of the priors were within the last ten years will be penalized as a second offense.

1st Offense 2nd Offense 3rd Offense Jail Up to 30 days 48 hours to 90 days 180 days Fines $250 to $400 ($300 to $500 if BAC of .10% or more or under influence of drugs) $500 to $1,000 $1,000 Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) Program 12 to 48 hours Complete program Complete program License Revocation 3 months (7 to 12 months if BAC of .10% or more or under influence of drugs) 2 years 10 years Community Service None 30 days Up to 90 days (counts towards jail term)

IDRC. All DWI convictions require the offender to participate in a drug and alcohol screening and evaluation and complete treatment recommendations through the IDRC. Each day in the IDRC requires the participant to complete at least six hours in treatment and pay a $75 fee ($100 for second or subsequent offenses), but days in the program can count towards up to 90 days of the offender’s jail term.

Passenger under 18 years old. A driver can be charged with a “disorderly persons” offense if he or she was transporting a passenger 17 years old or younger at the time of the DWI. A convicted driver will incur additional community service hours and an extended license revocation.

School zones. A person who drives under the influence within 1,000 feet of a school or through a school crossing will incur additional penalties.

First offense: $500 to $800 fine, up to 60 days jail, one- to two-year license revocation.

$500 to $800 fine, up to 60 days jail, one- to two-year license revocation. Second offense: $1,000 to $2,000 fine, 60 days community service, 96 hours to 180 days in jail, four-year license revocation.

$1,000 to $2,000 fine, 60 days community service, 96 hours to 180 days in jail, four-year license revocation. Third offense: $2,000 fine, 180 days in jail, 20-year license revocation.

Fees. Aside from treatment costs and fines, a convicted driver must also pay a $100 victim’s fund fee and a $125 drunk driving surcharge, as well as court costs.

Driver’s License Sanctions

At the time of arrest, the officer is supposed to impound the driver’s vehicle for 12 hours and will likely request a breathalyzer test. A test failure can be used by the prosecution in court to prove a DWI charge—a conviction leads to license revocation. And an unlawful refusal to take a breath test also leads to license revocation.

Refusal. Pursuant to New Jersey’s implied consent laws, a driver who unlawfully refuses a breathalyzer test will face the following consequences.

First offense: seven-month to one-year license revocation and $300 to $500 in fines.

seven-month to one-year license revocation and $300 to $500 in fines. Second offense: two-year license revocation and $500 to $1,000 fines.

two-year license revocation and $500 to $1,000 fines. Third offense: ten-year license revocation and $1,000 fine.

Generally, the revocation periods for a test refusal and a conviction will run consecutively (back-to-back), but the judge can permit the suspensions to run concurrently (at the same time) on a first offense.

IIDs. For a DWI conviction or test refusal, the court is authorized to order the installation and use of an ignition interlock device (IID) for six months to one year for a first offense. A second or subsequent offense requires an IID for one to three years. A first offense that involved a test refusal or a BAC of .15% or more requires an IID for six months to one year.

Insurance. A driver who refuses testing or is convicted of DWI will be required to pay an annual insurance surcharge for three years. For a first offense, the surcharge is $1,000 annually ($3,000 total). The surcharge for a second or subsequent offense is $1,500 annually ($4,500 total).

Underage Drivers

New Jersey drivers who are under the age of 21 are prohibited from having a BAC of .01% or more. Any underage driver with a BAC of .01% to .08% will face 30 to 90 days license revocation, 15 to 30 days community service, and must participate in the IDRC or a similar treatment program.