There are seven penalties common to drunk driving convictions.
oDriver's License Suspension - Almost always your driver's license will be suspended immediately.
You have ten days to challenge the suspension with your Department or Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
If you fail to challenge the suspension or if you lose the challenge, you can lose your license for 30 days to 6 months for a first time offense depending on what state you live in.
oImpoundment of Car - Many states have a mandatory impoundment of any car driven by a drunk driver.
This can range from a few days to months.
oCommunity Service - You may be required to do a significant amount of community service.
This could involve helping out at a local library or it could mean doing back breaking physical labor like picking up trash on the local highway.
oAlcohol programs - More and more states are imposing alcohol programs even for first time offenders.
Some of these, like Alcoholics Anonymous, are extended programs with mandatory meetings for offenders.
California has an innovative program for drivers under the age of 25 who drink and drive.
They are required to attend an alcohol sensitivity course which involves spending time at the emergency room and the county morgue.
oInterlocutory devise - Several states have the requirement that people who are convicted of drunk driving must install an interlocutory devise on their primary vehicle.
They must then blow into the devise and prove that their blood alcohol level is below .
02 percent before the car will start.
oProbation - It is likely that if you are convicted of DUI, you will be placed on probation for some period of time.
This will ensure that you are complying with the other terms of your sentence.
oJail - The most severe sentence you can get if arrested for drunk driving is time in jail.
More and more states are imposing mandatory jail time, particularly for subsequent offenses.
As you can see, the consequences of a DUI are quite serious.