Penalties for Operating Under the Influence

Ohio law establishes the following penalties for operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

• Ohio courts impose serious penalties for operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Those found guilty can be charged with large fines and may face jail time.
• Any person who operates a vessel, water skis, or similar device shall be deemed to have given consent to a chemical test or tests of his or her blood, breath, or urine to determine alcohol or drug content if arrested.
  • If a person under arrest refuses to submit to a chemical test, the person is prohibited from operating a vessel or water skis or from registering a vessel for a one-year period.
  • If the person is the owner of the vessel, the registration certificate and tags will be impounded for a one-year period.