North Dakota DUI Refusal — Penalties & Consequences
How a refusal can affect evidence, licensing issues, and case strategy.
What North Dakota's implied consent law requires §39-20-01; §39-20-04
By driving on North Dakota roads, you have implicitly consented to chemical testing (breath, blood, or urine) when an officer has lawful grounds to arrest you for DWI. This does not mean you cannot refuse — it means refusal itself carries legal consequences.
Administrative consequences of refusal
A first refusal in North Dakota results in: Refusing the test carries its own administrative license revocation, with longer periods if you have prior incidents — confirm the exact period with a lawyer; refusal can also be charged as a criminal offense under § 39-08-01.
This administrative suspension is separate from criminal penalties. The Implied consent law provides an incentive to submit to testing, and refusal carries its own distinct consequences.
Can refusal be used against you in court?
How refusal affects the criminal case
Refusing the test does not end the criminal case. The prosecution can still pursue DWI charges based on:
- Officer observations (driving pattern, physical symptoms, statements)
- Field sobriety test results
- Any other available evidence (dashcam video, witness testimony)
- In some jurisdictions, a warrant-obtained blood draw despite the refusal
The dual-track impact of refusal
Refusal makes the administrative track worse (longer suspension, fewer options for restricted driving) while making the criminal track different — not necessarily better or worse. The prosecution loses a specific number but may gain a jury inference from the refusal itself.
Refusal vs. test failure: side-by-side
| Factor | Test Failure | Test Refusal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| License suspension | 91 days (first offense failed test); 180 days (refusal) §39-20-04 | Refusing the test carries its own administrative license revocation, with longer periods if you have prior incidents — confirm the exact period with a lawyer; refusal can also be charged as a criminal offense under § 39-08-01 §39-20-01; §39-20-04 | |
| Can be used in court | Yes — BAC result is direct evidence | Yes — refusal itself may be used as evidence §39-20-01; §39-20-04 | |
| IID requirement | any required period varies by case — confirm the current requirement with a lawyer | May be longer; check with an attorney |
Requesting the administrative hearing after refusal
The hearing deadline is the same as for test failures: 10 days after notice to request administrative hearing §39-20-04. At the hearing, the issues may include whether the officer had probable cause, whether the implied consent advisement was properly given, and whether the refusal was knowing and voluntary.
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Frequently Asked Questions
General answers to common questions. Specific outcomes depend on your facts and timing.
If you have a deadline, court notice, or upcoming hearing, mention it when requesting assistance so timing can be evaluated promptly.
Related guides
- Refusal suspension: Refusing the test carries its own administrative license revocation, with longer periods if you have prior incidents — confirm the exact period with a lawyer; refusal can also be charged as a criminal offense under § 39-08-01
- Refusal admissible at trial: yes