The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) states that if law enforcement officers suspects that a motorist is driving while intoxicated (DWI), the officer may ask the motorist to submit to a chemical test to determine the amount of alcohol in the motorist’s bloodstream. Driving while intoxicated or with a blood-alcohol content in excess of the legal limit is a criminal offense and has immediate consequences.

A motorist who fails a chemical test may have his or her driving privileges suspended for a period of up to 180 days. This suspension occurs upon receipt by the BMV of an affidavit from the law enforcement officer submitted to the court containing the results of the failed test. A motorist who refuses to submit to a chemical test conducted by a law enforcement officer will have his or her license immediately confiscated and will face a license suspension of up to one year.

When a motorist is convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), or with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or more, the court is required to suspend his or her operator license for 90 days or up to two years. The suspension periods are longer for repeat offenders.

If the motorist is not a repeat offender and is otherwise eligible, the court may issue an order for a probationary license granting limited driving privileges. A person must be suspended for at least 30 days before the probationary driving privileges can take effect. The court may require the installation of an ignition interlock device, which mechanically tests the driver’s blood-alcohol level before his or her car can be started, as a condition of the probationary license

The Indiana BMV told us that operating while intoxicated (OWI) is assessed 8 points to an IN driving record. These points remain on the driver's license for two years from the conviction date and the driver's record will contain convictions and suspensions for either a seven- or 10-year time period, depending on which record is requested

You can contact the IN BMV to find out about any other penalties attached to being convicted of an OWI. Use our car insurance estimator to get rates for you in Indiana.