Ohio DWI and Driving Records

Nationwide DWI and DUI laws are getting stricter due to an increased rate of accidents as a result of drunken driving. A fatal accident occurs every half an hour due to driving after drinking, every two minutes someone is injured due to the same reason. Here are some facts about Ohio DWI laws which are also called OVWI or Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. This includes OHIO DUI laws as well.

DWI is a moving traffic violation, thus its records can be obtained from the court records as well as from the Ohio Motor Vehicles Department. DWI is a public record and can be accessed by anyone who provides required identification documents. There are official as well as unofficial sources from where you can obtain these records but it is advised to go for government source to rest assured about the authenticity of the information provided.

Ohio DWI Records

To get Ohio DWI records, you need to send request for a three year driving record of every violation and accident. This request is made on the record request form named BMV 1173. To download and print this form, click on http://publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/bmv1173.pdf. This form is used to place request for your own driving record. To request for someone else’s driving record, BMV 5008. This is a written and notarized consent for release of your information. This form has to be filled, notarized and sent along with the BMV 1173 form. These forms can be obtained from Shipley Customer Service Center and Regional Service Center. Request fee is $5.00 and the payment is made in check in favor of the Ohio Treasurer. It takes two to three weeks to process.

Ohio DWI Laws and Penalties

As per Ohio drinking laws, an individual is allowed to consume alcohol only when he turns twenty one. So a driver below this age is found with BAC with even 0.02% is charged for Operating a Vehicle After Underage Consumption which is punishable by license suspension for two months to two years. There is mandatory remedial driving class along with reappearing for driving test. Four points are added against your license and you will be asked to pay reinstatement fee.

Once you are found guilty as per Ohio DWI laws, you will be subjected to imprisonment or fine or both. For the first time offenders, the stipulated jail time is three days to three months with a fine of $250 to $1000. Your license to drive will be suspended for six months to three years. If you re-offend within six years, jail time will increase to minimum of ten days to maximum of three months. Maximum amount you may be asked to pay as fine is $1500. However, there are additional actions taken for re-offenders like license plate would be impounded for three months, vehicle would be immobilized for the same duration and it will be seized right at that moment. For the third and fourth offenders within six years, incarceration span increases to one year with a penalty fine of maximum $10,000. All other actions are taken and for a longer span. The fourth offense in six years is a felony offense.

Your license will receive six points as a result of which your premiums for insurance would eventually increase. Due to the sentence served in jail, it will impact your career too as many employers do not prefer to have employees with criminal records. When the suspension period is over, after paying $475 and proving your financial responsibility, you can get the license back and hit the road again.