Alaska Drunk Driving Fines & Penalties

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a very serious charge. In Alaska, as with most U.S. states, you are considered legally drunk if your blood-alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or greater.

DUI Charges

If you are charged with a DUI, it is suggested that you consult with a good DUI attorney. This by no means condones drinking and driving, but the severity of a DUI charge, even a first offense, is such that legal representation is of the utmost importance.

Suspicion of DUI

In Alaska, the DMV regulations say that if you hold a driver's license, you have given the state what is known as "implied consent." That means, if you are stopped by an officer on a suspicion of DUI, you have already given the officer permission to test your breath or blood for the presence of alcohol or drugs.

Refusal to Test

If you refuse to take the test, this is considered a separate offense by itself and, even if you are acquitted of DUI, holds its own penalties. Penalties can come from both criminal charges and civil charges. Penalties that come from the Division of Motor Vehicles are known as Administrative.

Administrative Penalties can include: driver's license revocation or cancellation, fees to apply for a restricted license (only after 90 days of license suspension), Ignition Interlocking Device (IID), the requirement to retest for your license and pay those fees and attending an Alcohol Safety Action Program.

If you are convicted of DUI and refused to test, you may face a higher fine, longer license suspension and a longer DUI program requirement.

Additional DUI Penalties in Alaska

In addition to the penalties listed above, a driver convicted of a DUI in Alaska may impose the following:

While the convicted driver is incarcerated or as a condition of probation or parole be required to take medication that is intended to prevent the consumption of alcohol.

During probation, the offender may not operate a motor vehicle unless it is equipped with a certified ignition interlock device. All costs associated with the installation and maintenance of this device will be paid by the convicted DUI offender.