Connecticut law provides strict penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol. Penalties are imposed by the courts and by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. If you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, you will be asked to submit to a blood, breath or urine test, which shows your blood alcohol content (BAC). If you fail this test, your operator’s license will be suspended for at least 90 days, possibly more, depending on the number of DUI (Driving Under the Influence of alcohol) offenses on your driving record and your BAC and your age.

In CT if you refuse to take a test, your operator’s license will be suspended for at least six months or possibly more, depending on the number of prior offenses on your driving record and on your age. These penalties, imposed by the Commissioner under the law known as “Administrative Per Se,” are in addition to any penalties imposed by the court if, as a result of your arrest, you are convicted of DUI.

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles state that records of traffic violations on driving histories are maintained for 3 years for most violations, although some serious violations may remain active on the driving history for 10 years.

From information we have read it would appear that a DUI stays on your Connecticut driving record for the full 10 years since CT has a DUI/ DWI 10 year look back period. This means that if you have a drunk driving conviction that is more than 10 years old, a new Connecticut DUI arrest will be treated as a first offense. However, if you have a second drunk driving conviction during the 10 year period it will be considered a second offense and thus come with harsher penalties.

Since state statutes can change over time you may want to contact the CT DMV to find out for certain the number of years a Driving Under the Influence conviction will currently remain on your driving record.