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Indiana driving guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Indiana Legal Alcohol Limit and OWI Rules
What does Indiana law treat as drunk driving, and what happens to your license? Here is what the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) says about the legal alcohol limit, chemical tests, court-ordered driving privileges and how to spot an impaired driver.
.08legal BAC limit
180 daysfailed chemical test
1 yearrefused chemical test
2 yearsrefusal with a prior OWI
The short answer
Indiana's legal limit is a blood alcohol concentration of .08. Operating while intoxicated or over that limit is a criminal offense. Per the Indiana Driver's Manual, failing a chemical test brings a 180-day suspension, refusing one brings a one-year suspension, and refusing with a prior OWI conviction brings two years. A court may add its own suspension, may grant specialized driving privileges, and may require an ignition interlock.
Indiana's legal alcohol limit is .08 BAC
The Indiana Driver's Manual says operating a vehicle while intoxicated, or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in excess of the legal limit (.08), is a criminal offense and has an immediate effect on your privilege to operate a vehicle.
The manual lists the primary factors in determining a person's BAC as the amount of alcohol consumed, how quickly it is consumed, and the person's body weight.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 5, read November 10, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Chemical tests and license suspensions
If a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe a motorist committed an offense under IC 9-30-5, IC 9-30-6, IC 9-30-9 or IC 9-30-15, the officer may ask the motorist to submit to a chemical test to determine the amount of alcohol in the person's system. If a judge finds probable cause that the person operated a vehicle while intoxicated, the person may face a suspension of driving privileges.
| Situation | Suspension of driving privileges (Driver's Manual) |
|---|---|
| Fails a chemical test | 180 days |
| Refuses to submit to a chemical test | One year |
| Refuses a chemical test, with a previous conviction for operating while intoxicated | Two years |
The BMV's Common Traffic Violations page words these limits as a suspension of up to 180 days for failing a test and up to two years for refusing one.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, and the BMV's Common Traffic Violations page, read November 10, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
After a conviction: court suspensions, specialized driving privileges and interlocks
In addition to a probable-cause suspension, a court may suspend a person's driving privileges following a conviction for operating while intoxicated. The manual says suspension periods may be longer for repeat offenders, and penalties may include conditions placed on your driving privileges.
Specialized driving privileges
If the motorist is eligible, the court may issue an order for specialized driving privileges.
Ignition interlock
The court may also require an ignition interlock device, which tests the driver's blood alcohol level before the car can be started.
Drivers under 18
When a driver under 18 is cited for operating while intoxicated, the Juvenile Court may also recommend a suspension.
A person granted specialized driving privileges by a court must keep an effective SR22 on file with the BMV for the duration of the privileges, carry a copy of the court order or have it in the vehicle, show it to law enforcement on request, and carry a validly issued credential while driving. The manual says a "Restriction 5" is placed on the license of a person granted hardship, probationary, conditional or specialized driving privileges by court order.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 5, read November 10, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Boating while intoxicated counts too
If you are convicted of operating a watercraft while intoxicated, the manual says your driving privileges are subject to the same penalties as an operator of a motor vehicle, and the conviction becomes part of your driver record.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 5, read November 10, 2026.
How to spot an impaired driver
The manual says alcohol affects your brain's ability to think clearly and your physical coordination, and decreases your reaction time. Many prescription, over-the-counter and recreational drugs can also impair reasoning and coordination; always consult the label and talk with a physician or pharmacist about side effects before driving. It lists these signs that a driver may be impaired:
- Makes wide turns
- Straddles the center line or weaves back and forth
- Exceeds the speed limit or drives unusually slowly
- Comes close to hitting another vehicle or object
- Swerves, drifts or follows too closely
- Stops for no reason or turns abruptly or illegally
- Signals inconsistently or drives at night without headlights
The manual also notes that studies show going 18 hours without sleep leaves a driver as impaired as a driver with a .08 BAC.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapters 7 and 8, read November 10, 2026.
Keep your Ford ready at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Plan a sober ride home, and keep your own vehicle in good shape for the drives you make.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Indiana legal alcohol limit and OWI: FAQ
What is the legal alcohol limit in Indiana?
The Indiana Driver's Manual gives the legal limit as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated or with a BAC over the legal limit is a criminal offense.
What happens if I fail a chemical test in Indiana?
The Indiana Driver's Manual says a motorist who fails a chemical test faces a 180-day suspension of driving privileges. The BMV's Common Traffic Violations page describes it as a suspension of up to 180 days.
What happens if I refuse a chemical test?
The manual says refusing a chemical test brings a one-year suspension, or two years for a motorist with a previous conviction for operating while intoxicated. The BMV's Common Traffic Violations page says a refusal brings a suspension of up to two years.
Can I get a hardship license after an OWI in Indiana?
If the motorist is eligible, the court may issue an order for specialized driving privileges. The person must keep an SR22 on file with the BMV for as long as the privileges last, carry the court order (or have it in the vehicle) and show it to law enforcement on request, carry a valid credential, and the license carries a Restriction 5.
What is an ignition interlock device?
It is a device a court may require that tests the driver's blood alcohol level before the car can be started.
Does boating while intoxicated affect my driver's license?
Yes. The manual says a conviction for operating a watercraft while intoxicated carries the same driving-privilege penalties as for a motor vehicle and becomes part of your driver record.
More Indiana driving guides
See our guides to drowsy driving, Indiana's hands-free driving law and seat belt law, or schedule service at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
The legal limit, chemical test suspensions, court orders, specialized driving privileges and impaired-driver signs are from the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV, Chapters 5, 7 and 8) and the BMV's Common Traffic Violations page, read November 10, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
- Indiana Driver's Manual (PDF), Chapters 5, 7 and 8, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Common Traffic Violations, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026