Any driver (with no prior refusals or drunk driving convictions) who fails to submit to a chemical test after a lawful drunk driving arrest will have their driving privilege suspended for:

When a driver is arrested for suspected drunk driving and fails to submit to a chemical test, California law enforces a strict consequence to discourage such behavior. A driver who complies with the requirement for a chemical test is testing their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to ensure they are not exceeding the legal limits. However, when someone refuses to take that test under these circumstances, it is viewed as a serious violation of the law.

In California, a refusal to perform a chemical test following a valid DUI arrest results in an automatic suspension of driving privileges for 12 months. This particular penalty is intended to promote compliance with testing and strengthen the enforcement of driving under the influence laws. The law takes into account that first-time offenders without prior refusals or drunk driving convictions face this specific duration of suspension, which serves as both a deterrent and a means to encourage safe driving behaviors.

Other durations of suspension, such as six or eighteen months, do not align with the legal framework set forth for chemical test refusals, emphasizing the importance of understanding the specifics of California’s DUI laws.