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2 ways that a South Dakota DUI affects your driving privileges

On Behalf of | Mar 25, 2022 | DUI |

If a police officer accuses you of driving under the influence (DUI), there will be multiple penalties that you could potentially face. Jail time and fines are among the most common consequences for DUI charges in South Dakota.

However, there are also secondary consequences that will affect driving privileges. What impact does a DUI have on your driving?

The state may temporarily revoke your license

People accused of drunk driving may have issues with how frequently or heavily they consume alcohol. As a result, DUI offenses have moderately high recidivism rates. It is common for people to get arrested more than once for a DUI because of underlying substance abuse problems.

After a conviction or guilty plea for a DUI offense, South Dakota will temporarily suspend your driver’s license. The state will suspend your license for as long as a year after a first DUI and for at least a year for a second or third DUI within five years of the first. A fourth will mean a two-year suspension, while a fifth will mean the loss of your driving privileges for three years. When they do get their license back, they may need to install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle.

They will have issues with insurance

The kind of policy you can purchase and how much you pay for your coverage is a direct reflection of your driving history, personal background information and even your credit score. The more risk that you pose to the company on paper, the more they will charge to insure your vehicle.

After a DUI charge, you could cause a crash that will lead to massive insurance claims. You can expect to pay significantly more for insurance after a DUI. The average policy costs for a South Dakota driver without a DUI on their record are $1,708. After a DUI conviction, those costs will increase by 37%, making the average policy cost $2,347. In some cases, the insurance company may not offer you the same policy or may tell you you need to seek a different provider entirely.

Learning about the penalties of South Dakota DUI charges is important for anyone accused of drunk driving.

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