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DWI Laws |
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| North
Carolina
Driving Laws |
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DWI laws in
North Carolina:
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Prohibit drivers from consuming any alcoholic beverage, including
beer, while driving;
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Allow enforcement agencies to set up road
blocks to check for impaired drivers;
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Prohibit the transport of an open container of any alcoholic
beverage if the driver is consuming alcohol
or if alcohol is in the driver's body;
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- Prohibit the possession of alcoholic beverages (open or
closed) in the passenger area of a commercial motor
vehicle while upon any highway, street or public
vehicular area;
- Provide for different levels of severity of punishment based on
the severity of the offense;
- Require persons who are convicted of DWI for the second time to
serve a jail sentence;
- Attempt to punish DWI offenders, but also try to help them deal
with problems they may have with alcohol;
- Require that repeat DWI offenders or persons with high
blood/alcohol contents (BACs) be checked to see if they
might have an alcohol problem;
- Require persons with lower BACs to attend alcohol safety schools;
and
- Require anyone convicted of DWI to obtain a substance abuse
assessment prior to the reinstatement of driving
privileges.
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If you are convicted of DWI while your license is
revoked for an earlier DWI conviction, the court may
order your vehicle seized and sold.
First Conviction:
- Mandatory revocation of your driver license for a period of one
year.
- Minimum Punishment - Fine up to $100 and not less than 24 hours
imprisonment; 24 hours of community service; 30 days
without a limited driving privilege or any combination of
these.
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Maximum Punishment - Fine up to $2,000 and not less
than 14 days or more than 24 months imprisonment.
Second Conviction
- Mandatory driver license revocation for a period of four years if
convicted within three years of first offense.
- Minimum Punishment - Fine up to $1,000 and not less than seven
days or more than 12 months imprisonment.
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Maximum Punishment - (same as for first conviction) A
limited driving privilege will not be issued if the
second offense occurs within seven years of the first
conviction.
Third Conviction
- Mandatory, permanent driver license revocation if at least one of
the prior convictions occurred within past five years.
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Minimum/Maximum Punishment - Fine up to $2,000 and not
less than 14 days or more than 24 months imprisonment.
Fourth Conviction
- Mandatory permanent driver license revocation. The fourth
conviction is considered a felony if the three prior DWI
convictions occurred within the past seven years.
- Minimum Punishment - One year imprisonment.
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Maximum Punishment - Three years imprisonment and a
fine.
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