Oklahoma is one of the “zero tolerance” states when it comes to driving under the influence before the legal drinking age. Thus, if you are under the age of 21, you can potentially be convicted of driving under the influence if you have a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC of more than .00 percent. For individuals over the age of 21, the BAC limit is .08 percent, but it drops down to just .04 percent for commercial drivers. In some cases, a DUI can be plea bargained down to a “wet reckless” charge, which is reckless driving with alcohol.
Oklahoma DUI laws also include an “open container law,” which prohibits keeping an open container of alcohol any place that is accessible to the driver. Thus, your passenger can’t be drinking in the seat beside you.
Implied Consent Law
Like many states, Oklahoma DUI laws include an implied consent law that stipulates if an arresting officer has probable cause to believe you are driving under the influence, he or she can subject you to a chemical test of your breath or blood for alcohol or of your saliva or urine if drug use is suspected within two hours of the time you were pulled over. You imply your consent to a chemical test simply by driving on a public road. Consequently, you cannot refuse to take the test without incurring a penalty.
The first time you refuse to a chemical test, your license will be revoked for six months, and an ignition interlock device will be installed on your car for eighteen months. This means you will not be able to start your car at all unless you first blow into and pass a breath test.
If a DUI is your second offense and you refuse the test, then your license will be revoked for one full year. Upon a third refusal, the revocation period increases to three years.
Felony DUI
Under Oklahoma DUI laws, your second offense will be treated as a felony DUI if it happens not more than 10 years after your last DUI conviction. All subsequent DUI offenses will also be charged as felonies. Your second offense carries a penalty of one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Fines and prison time increase for subsequent convictions.
When determining whether this is your first, second, third, or subsequent DUI offense, the court will “look back” at your DUIs for only the past 10 years. After a decade has elapsed, a DUI is “washed out” from your record for purposes of sentencing.
Changes to Oklahoma DUI Laws in 2010 in 2013
Over the past few years, Oklahoma has toughened its laws regarding driving under the influence. The Aaron Gillming Act, or House Bill 3240, was passed by the Oklahoma state legislature in 2010 and went into effect on Nov. 1, 2010. The bill, which was named after a victim of drunk driving, mandates that any drivers convicted of driving under the influence complete a substance abuse program for drugs and alcohol. This requirement applies even to first-time offenders. In 2013, Oklahoma also imposed its “zero tolerance” standard for underage drinkers who drink and drive.