Michigan law enforcement refers to most drunk driving offenses as OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) rather than DUI, although for all purposes, the terms are synonymous.
What are the penalties for a DUI/OWI in Michigan?
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | |
| Jail | Up to 93 days | 5 days to 1 year or 30 to 90 days community service | 30 days to 5 years |
| Fines and Penalties | From $100 to $500 |
From $200 to $1,000 | From $200 to $1,000 |
| License Suspension | Up to 6 months | Min. 1 year | Min. 1 year |
| IID** Required | Possible | Yes | Yes |
Lookback Period: 7 years (Period of time that prior OWIs are relevant for sentencing
How much do you have to drink (BAC*) for a OWI in Michigan?
| Under 21 | .00% – zero tolerance |
| 21 or older | .08% |
| Commercial | .04% |
*BAC = blood alcohol content
How many drinks does it take? Check the BAC chart.
You may want to try our BAC Calculator, however I wouldn’t let any results encourage you to drink and drive.
What if you refuse to take a chemical test in Michigan?
Michigan has an implied consent law. That means that if you refuse to submit to a chemical test you will be subject to a fine and automatic license suspension. Learn more about Michigan’s implied consent law.
| 1st Offense | 2d offense | 3rd Offense | |
| Refusal to take test | 1 year license suspension | 2 year license suspension | 5 year license suspension |
Disclaimer: We try to keep the information provided here up to date. However, laws often change, as do their interpretation and application. Different jurisdictions within a state may enforce the laws in different ways. For that reason, we recommended that you seek the advice of a local attorney familiar with OWI cases in your area
Drinking and Driving Laws in Michigan
The drunk driving law in the State of Michigan makes it illegal to drive with a .08 percentage blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or above. The .08 limit is the standard measure of the “impaired” driver across the United States. Michigan has lower BAC limits for drivers under the age of 21 and commercial drivers. In addition to Michigan’s OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) law, Michigan has another law called the OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired ) law. This law means that because drugs or alcohol (or both) are in your body, that your ability to drive was visibly impaired. Operating a motor vehicle with any amount of a Schedule 1 drug (Cocaine, Barbiturates etc.) is illegal under Michigan’s OWVI law.
How many drinks does it take to reach the legal limit in Michigan? This question is often asked by people who want to know how many drinks they can have before they are considered legally drunk. There are calculators and charts that will give you some idea of how close you are to reaching the legal limit, however these devices are reference tools, and should not be used to determine if you are sober enough to drive.
The best answer is not to drink and drive. The State of Michigan has strict laws for drunk driving, and when you drink and drive in Michigan, you risk your freedom, finances and your future.
Is a DUI a Felony or a Misdemeanor in Michigan?
Whether a DUI Felony Misdemeanor in Michigan depends on the surrounding circumstances that lead to the arrest. A first or second DUI conviction in Michigan is a misdemeanor offense unless the DUI involves an accident that causes death or serious bodily injury, in which case it may be classified as a felony. A third DUI within seven years is classifed as a felony.
Can you plead to a lesser offense than OWI in Michigan?
A defendant might receive a “wet reckless,” or a conviction of reckless driving involving alcohol, as a result of a plea bargain in which a charge of drunk driving is reduced to a case of reckless driving. There is no statutory provision on whether a wet reckless plea bargain will be accepted in Michigan but it’s possible a lawyer may be able to create a plea bargain for you.
To learn more see, Do I Really Need a DUI Attorney?
How Do I Get My Driver’s License Back After an OWI / DUI?
Michigan has numerous types of OWI/DUI charges and almost all of them involve some loss of license privileges. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) is below .17 and this is a first offense, you should expect up to 180 days license suspension (in addition to other penalties). If your BAC is .17% or higher, you face up to one year license suspension. If this is your second offense within seven years, expect a two-year suspension. If this is your OWI/DUI within seven years, expect a five-year license suspension (or the possibility of permanent loss of driving privleges).