Illinois drivers charged with a drunk driving (OWI) offense in Wisconsin face serious consequences in both states. A Wisconsin OWI conviction does not end at the state line.
If you are convicted of OWI in Wisconsin, Wisconsin will revoke your privilege to drive within Wisconsin, and the State of Illinois will also impose a license revocation in Illinois under the interstate driver’s license compact. This means you can lose your driving privileges at home even though the offense occurred in another state.
The length of a Wisconsin OWI license revocation depends on the severity of the offense and your prior OWI conviction history:
- Civil OWI offenses: License revocation typically ranges from 6 to 9 months
- Criminal OWI offenses: Revocation can range from 12 to 48 months
- Three or more prior OWI convictions: If one prior conviction occurred within the past 15 years, the driver may face a lifetime revocation of driving privileges
Because an OWI conviction can trigger long-term or permanent loss of driving privileges in both Wisconsin and Illinois, it is critical to understand how the two states’ laws interact.
An experienced Wisconsin OWI defense attorney can evaluate your case, challenge the charges, and work to minimize license revocation periods and collateral consequences. Early legal representation can make a substantial difference in protecting your driving privileges and your future.
