---
title: "Are Rhode Island DUI laws stricter than other states?"
description: "Rhode Island has relatively strict DUI laws. The state uses a per se 0.08 threshold (same as most states), zero-tolerance 0.02 for under-21 drivers, ignition interlock mandates at lower BAC tiers..."
url: https://riduiguy.com/faq-items/are-rhode-island-dui-laws-stricter-than-other-states/
date: 2026-05-23
modified: 2026-05-23
author: "The RI DUI Guy"
type: faq
lang: en
---

# Are Rhode Island DUI laws stricter than other states?

Rhode Island has relatively strict DUI laws. The state uses a per se 0.08 threshold (same as most states), zero-tolerance 0.02 for under-21 drivers, ignition interlock mandates at lower BAC tiers than most states, and a 5-year second-offense lookback that is shorter than the 7 to 10 years some states use.

Are Rhode Island DUI laws stricter than other states?(https://riduiguy.com/author/riduiguy/)2026-05-23T02:38:25-04:00