Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 248 - Vehicle Highway Use
Section 14-227b. - *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Implied consent to test operator's blood, breath or urine. Testing procedures. License suspension. Hearing.

(a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle in this state shall be deemed to have given such person's consent to a chemical analysis of such person's blood, breath or urine and, if such person is a minor, such person's parent or parents or guardian shall also be deemed to have given their consent. As used in this section, “motor vehicle” includes a snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle, as such terms are defined in section 14-379.

(b) If any such person, having been placed under arrest for a violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, and thereafter, after being apprised of such person's constitutional rights, having been requested to submit to a blood, breath or urine test at the option of the police officer, having been afforded a reasonable opportunity to telephone an attorney prior to the performance of such test and having been informed that such person's license or nonresident operating privilege may be suspended in accordance with the provisions of this section if such person refuses to submit to such test, or if such person submits to such test and the results of such test indicate that such person has an elevated blood alcohol content, and that evidence of any such refusal shall be admissible in accordance with subsection (e) of section 14-227a and may be used against such person in any criminal prosecution, refuses to submit to the designated test, the test shall not be given; provided, if the person refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test, the police officer shall designate the breath or urine test as the test to be taken. The police officer shall make a notation upon the records of the police department that such officer informed the person that such person's license or nonresident operating privilege may be suspended if such person refused to submit to such test or if such person submitted to such test and the results of such test indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content.
(c) If the person arrested refuses to submit to such test or analysis or submits to such test or analysis, commenced within two hours of the time of operation, and the results of such test or analysis indicate that such person has an elevated blood alcohol content, the police officer, acting on behalf of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, shall immediately revoke and take possession of the motor vehicle operator's license or, if such person is a nonresident, suspend the nonresident operating privilege of such person, for a twenty-four-hour period. The police officer shall prepare a report of the incident and shall mail or otherwise transmit in accordance with this subsection the report and a copy of the results of any chemical test or analysis to the Department of Motor Vehicles within three business days. The report shall contain such information as prescribed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall be subscribed and sworn to under penalty of false statement as provided in section 53a-157b by the arresting officer. If the person arrested refused to submit to such test or analysis, the report shall be endorsed by a third person who witnessed such refusal. The report shall set forth the grounds for the officer's belief that there was probable cause to arrest such person for a violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n and shall state that such person had refused to submit to such test or analysis when requested by such police officer to do so or that such person submitted to such test or analysis, commenced within two hours of the time of operation, and the results of such test or analysis indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may accept a police report under this subsection that is prepared and transmitted as an electronic record, including electronic signature or signatures, subject to such security procedures as the commissioner may specify and in accordance with the provisions of sections 1-266 to 1-286, inclusive. In any hearing conducted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, it shall not be a ground for objection to the admissibility of a police report that it is an electronic record prepared by electronic means.
(d) If the person arrested submits to a blood or urine test at the request of the police officer, and the specimen requires laboratory analysis in order to obtain the test results, the police officer shall not take possession of the motor vehicle operator's license of such person or, except as provided in this subsection, follow the procedures subsequent to taking possession of the operator's license as set forth in subsection (c) of this section. If the test results indicate that such person has an elevated blood alcohol content, the police officer, immediately upon receipt of the test results, shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and submit to the commissioner the written report required pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(e) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, upon receipt of such report, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may suspend any operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of such person effective as of a date certain, which date shall be not later than thirty days after the date such person received notice of such person's arrest by the police officer. Any person whose operator's license or nonresident operating privilege has been suspended in accordance with this subdivision shall automatically be entitled to a hearing before the commissioner to be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and prior to the effective date of the suspension. The commissioner shall send a suspension notice to such person informing such person that such person's operator's license or nonresident operating privilege is suspended as of a date certain and that such person is entitled to a hearing prior to the effective date of the suspension and may schedule such hearing by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles not later than seven days after the date of mailing of such suspension notice.
(2) If the person arrested (A) is involved in an accident resulting in a fatality, or (B) has previously had such person's operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended under the provisions of section 14-227a, 14-227m or 14-227n during the ten-year period preceding the present arrest, upon receipt of such report, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may suspend any operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of such person effective as of the date specified in a notice of such suspension to such person. Any person whose operator's license or nonresident operating privilege has been suspended in accordance with this subdivision shall automatically be entitled to a hearing before the commissioner, to be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. The commissioner shall send a suspension notice to such person informing such person that such person's operator's license or nonresident operating privilege is suspended as of the date specified in such suspension notice, and that such person is entitled to a hearing and may schedule such hearing by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles not later than seven days after the date of mailing of such suspension notice. Any suspension issued under this subdivision shall remain in effect until such suspension is affirmed or such operator's license or nonresident operating privilege is reinstated in accordance with subsections (f) and (h) of this section.
(f) If such person does not contact the department to schedule a hearing, the commissioner shall affirm the suspension contained in the suspension notice for the appropriate period specified in subsection (i) of this section.
(g) If such person contacts the department to schedule a hearing, the department shall assign a date, time and place for the hearing, which date shall be prior to the effective date of the suspension, except that, with respect to a person whose operator's license or nonresident operating privilege is suspended in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section, such hearing shall be scheduled not later than thirty days after such person contacts the department. At the request of such person, the hearing officer or the department and upon a showing of good cause, the commissioner may grant one or more continuances. The hearing shall be limited to a determination of the following issues: (1) Did the police officer have probable cause to arrest the person for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both; (2) was such person placed under arrest; (3) did such person refuse to submit to such test or analysis or did such person submit to such test or analysis, commenced within two hours of the time of operation, and the results of such test or analysis indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content; and (4) was such person operating the motor vehicle. In the hearing, the results of the test or analysis shall be sufficient to indicate the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person at the time of operation, provided such test was commenced within two hours of the time of operation. The fees of any witness summoned to appear at the hearing shall be the same as provided by the general statutes for witnesses in criminal cases. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 52-143, any subpoena summoning a police officer as a witness shall be served not less than seventy-two hours prior to the designated time of the hearing.
(h) If, after such hearing, the commissioner finds on any one of the said issues in the negative, the commissioner shall reinstate such license or operating privilege. If, after such hearing, the commissioner does not find on any one of the said issues in the negative or if such person fails to appear at such hearing, the commissioner shall affirm the suspension contained in the suspension notice for the appropriate period specified in subsection (i) of this section. The commissioner shall render a decision at the conclusion of such hearing and send a notice of the decision by bulk certified mail to such person. The notice of such decision sent by bulk certified mail to the address of such person as shown by the records of the commissioner shall be sufficient notice to such person that such person's operator's license or nonresident operating privilege is reinstated or suspended, as the case may be.
(i) (1) The commissioner shall suspend the operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of a person who did not contact the department to schedule a hearing, who failed to appear at a hearing, or against whom a decision was issued, after a hearing, pursuant to subsection (h) of this section, as of the effective date contained in the suspension notice, for a period of forty-five days. As a condition for the restoration of such operator's license or nonresident operating privilege, such person shall be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the longer of either (A) the period prescribed in subdivision (2) of this subsection for the present arrest and suspension, or (B) the period prescribed in subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a or subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (c) of section 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (c) of section 14-227n for the present arrest and conviction, if any.
(2) (A) A person twenty-one years of age or older at the time of the arrest who submitted to a test or analysis and the results of such test or analysis indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, six months; (ii) for a second suspension under this section, one year; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension under this section, two years; (B) a person under twenty-one years of age at the time of the arrest who submitted to a test or analysis and the results of such test or analysis indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, one year; (ii) for a second suspension under this section, two years; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension under this section, three years; and (C) a person, regardless of age, who refused to submit to a test or analysis shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, one year; (ii) for a second suspension under this section, two years; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension, under this section, three years.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, a person whose motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege has been permanently revoked upon a third offense pursuant to subsection (g) of section 14-227a or subsection (c) of section 14-227m shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111.
(j) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) to (i), inclusive, of this section, any police officer who obtains the results of a chemical analysis of a blood sample taken from or a urine sample provided by an operator of a motor vehicle who was involved in an accident and suffered or allegedly suffered physical injury in such accident, or who was otherwise deemed by a police officer to require treatment or observation at a hospital, shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and submit to the commissioner a written report if such results indicate that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content, and if such person was arrested for violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n. The report shall be made on a form approved by the commissioner containing such information as the commissioner prescribes, and shall be subscribed and sworn to under penalty of false statement, as provided in section 53a-157b, by the police officer. The commissioner may, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, which shall be conducted by a hearing officer on behalf of the commissioner in accordance with chapter 54, suspend the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of such person for the appropriate period of time specified in subsection (i) of this section and require such person to install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the appropriate period of time prescribed in subsection (i) of this section. Each hearing conducted under this subsection shall be limited to a determination of the following issues: (1) Whether the police officer had probable cause to arrest the person for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug or both; (2) whether such person was placed under arrest; (3) whether such person was operating the motor vehicle; (4) whether the results of the analysis of the blood or urine of such person indicate that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content; and (5) in the event that a blood sample was taken, whether the blood sample was obtained in accordance with conditions for admissibility and competence as evidence as set forth in subsection (k) of section 14-227a. If, after such hearing, the commissioner finds on any one of the said issues in the negative, the commissioner shall not impose a suspension. The fees of any witness summoned to appear at the hearing shall be the same as provided by the general statutes for witnesses in criminal cases, as provided in section 52-260.
(k) The provisions of this section shall apply with the same effect to the refusal by any person to submit to an additional chemical test as provided in subdivision (5) of subsection (b) of section 14-227a.
(l) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person whose physical condition is such that, according to competent medical advice, such test would be inadvisable.
(m) The state shall pay the reasonable charges of any physician who, at the request of a municipal police department, takes a blood sample for purposes of a test under the provisions of this section.
(n) For the purposes of this section, “elevated blood alcohol content” means (1) a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is eight-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, (2) if such person is operating a commercial motor vehicle, a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is four-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, or (3) if such person is less than twenty-one years of age, a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is two-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight.
(o) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.
(1963, P.A. 616, S. 2; February, 1965, P.A. 190; 1967, P.A. 656, S. 9; 721; P.A. 75-205; P.A. 80-438, S. 4; P.A. 81-446, S. 3; P.A. 82-403, S. 4; 82-408, S. 4; P.A. 83-534, S. 2; P.A. 85-596, S. 2; P.A. 89-314, S. 1, 5; P.A. 90-263, S. 73, 74; P.A. 93-371, S. 1, 5; P.A. 94-189, S. 14; P.A. 95-279, S. 1, 2; P.A. 98-182, S. 20, 22; P.A. 99-255, S. 2; P.A. 02-70, S. 72; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-1, S. 109; P.A. 03-278, S. 48, 49; P.A. 04-250, S. 1; P.A. 05-215, S. 6; Jan. Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-1, S. 34; P.A. 08-32, S. 1; P.A. 09-187, S. 63; P.A. 10-110, S. 27; P.A. 12-81, S. 19; P.A. 14-228, S. 6; P.A. 16-55, S. 6, 7; 16-126, S. 17; P.A. 21-106, S. 26.)
*Note: On and after April 1, 2022, this section, as amended by section 118 of public act 21-1 of the June special session, is to read as follows:
“Sec. 14-227b. Implied consent to test operator's blood, breath or urine and to nontestimonial portion of drug influence evaluation. Testing procedures. License suspension. Hearing. (a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle in this state shall be deemed to have given such person's consent to: (1) A chemical test of such person's blood, breath or urine; and (2) a nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug recognition expert. If such person is a minor, such person's parent or parents or guardian shall also be deemed to have given their consent for such test or evaluation.
(b) (1) A police officer who has placed a person under arrest for a violation of section 14-227a, 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n may request that such person submit to a blood, breath or urine test at the option of the police officer, a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug recognition expert, or both, after such person has been (A) apprised of such person's constitutional rights; (B) afforded a reasonable opportunity to telephone an attorney prior to the performance of such test or evaluation; (C) informed that evidence of any refusal to submit to such test or evaluation shall be admissible in accordance with subsection (e) of section 14-227a and may be used against such person in any criminal prosecution, except that refusal to submit to the testimonial portions of a drug influence evaluation shall not be considered evidence of refusal of such evaluation for purposes of any criminal prosecution; and (D) informed that such person's license or operating privilege may be suspended in accordance with the provisions of this section if (i) such person refuses to submit to such test or the nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation, (ii) such person submits to such test and the results of such test indicate that such person has an elevated blood alcohol content, or (iii) the officer concludes, through investigation, that such person was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both.
(2) If the person refuses to submit to any test or drug influence evaluation, the test or evaluation shall not be given, except if the person refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test, the police officer shall designate another test to be taken. If a person submits to a breath test and the police officer, for reasonable cause, requests an additional chemical test of a different type to detect the presence of a drug or drugs other than or in addition to alcohol, the officer may administer such test, except that if such person refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test, the officer shall designate a urine test to be taken. The police officer shall make a notation upon the records of the law enforcement unit, as defined in section 7-294a, that such officer informed the person that such person's license or operating privilege may be suspended if (A) such person refused to submit to such test or nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation; (B) such person submitted to such test and the results of such test indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content; or (C) the officer concludes, through investigation, that such person was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both.
(c) If the person arrested refuses to submit to such test or nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation or submits to such test, commenced within two hours of the time of operation, and the results of such test indicate that such person has an elevated blood alcohol content, the police officer, acting on behalf of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, shall immediately revoke and take possession of the motor vehicle operator's license or, if such person is not licensed or is a nonresident, suspend the operating privilege of such person, for a twenty-four-hour period. The police officer shall prepare a report of the incident and shall mail or otherwise transmit in accordance with this subsection the report and a copy of the results of any chemical test to the Department of Motor Vehicles within three business days. The report shall contain such information as prescribed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall be subscribed and sworn to under penalty of false statement as provided in section 53a-157b by the arresting officer. If the person arrested refused to submit to such test or evaluation, the report shall be endorsed by a third person who witnessed such refusal. The report shall set forth the grounds for the officer's belief that there was probable cause to arrest such person for a violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n and shall state that such person had refused to submit to such test or evaluation when requested by such police officer to do so or that such person submitted to such test, commenced within two hours of the time of operation, and the results of such test indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may accept a police report under this subsection that is prepared and transmitted as an electronic record, including electronic signature or signatures, subject to such security procedures as the commissioner may specify and in accordance with the provisions of sections 1-266 to 1-286, inclusive. In any hearing conducted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, it shall not be a ground for objection to the admissibility of a police report that it is an electronic record prepared by electronic means.
(d) If a police officer who has placed a person under arrest for a violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n does not request that such person submit to a blood, breath or urine test under subsection (b) of this section, or obtains results from a test administered under subsection (b) of this section that indicate that the person does not have an elevated blood alcohol content, such officer shall:
(1) Advise such person that such person's license or operating privilege may be suspended in accordance with the provisions of this section if such police officer concludes, through investigation, that such person was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both; and
(2) Submit a report to the commissioner in accordance with the procedure set forth in subsection (c) of this section and, if such report contains the results of a blood, breath or urine test that does not show an elevated blood alcohol content, such report shall conform to the requirements in subsection (c) of this section for reports that contain results showing an elevated blood alcohol content. In any report submitted under this subdivision, the officer shall document (A) the basis for the officer's belief that there was probable cause to arrest such person for a violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, and (B) whether the officer concluded, through investigation, that the person was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both. With such report, the officer may submit other supporting documentation indicating the person's intoxication by liquor or any drug, or both. If the officer concludes, through investigation, that the person was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, the officer shall immediately revoke and take possession of the motor vehicle operator's license or, if such person is not licensed or is a nonresident, suspend the operating privilege of such person for a twenty-four-hour period.
(e) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, upon receipt of a report submitted under subsection (c) or (d) of this section, the commissioner may suspend any operator's license or operating privilege of such person effective as of a date certain, which date certain shall be not later than thirty days from the later of the date such person received (A) notice of such person's arrest by the police officer, or (B) the results of a blood or urine test or a drug influence evaluation. Any person whose operator's license or operating privilege has been suspended in accordance with this subdivision shall automatically be entitled to a hearing before the commissioner to be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and prior to the effective date of the suspension. The commissioner shall send a suspension notice to such person informing such person that such person's operator's license or operating privilege is suspended as of a date certain and that such person is entitled to a hearing prior to the effective date of the suspension and may schedule such hearing by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles not later than seven days after the date of mailing of such suspension notice.
(2) Upon receipt of a report that (A) the person's arrest involved an accident resulting in a fatality, or (B) the person has previously had such person's operator's license or operating privilege suspended under the provisions of section 14-227a, 14-227m or 14-227n during the ten-year period preceding the present arrest, the commissioner may suspend any operator's license or operating privilege of such person effective as of the date specified in a notice of such suspension to such person. A person whose operator's license or operating privilege has been suspended in accordance with this subdivision shall automatically be entitled to a hearing before the commissioner, to be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. The commissioner shall send a suspension notice to such person informing such person that such person's operator's license or operating privilege is suspended as of the date specified in such suspension notice, and that such person is entitled to a hearing and may schedule such hearing by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles not later than seven days after the date of mailing of such suspension notice. Any suspension issued under this subdivision shall remain in effect until such suspension is affirmed under subsection (f) of this section or such operator's license or operating privilege is reinstated in accordance with subsection (h) of this section.
(f) If such person does not contact the department to schedule a hearing, the commissioner shall affirm the suspension contained in the suspension notice for the appropriate period specified in subsection (i) of this section.
(g) (1) If such person contacts the department to schedule a hearing, the department shall assign a date, time and place for the hearing, which date shall be prior to the effective date of the suspension, except that, with respect to a person whose operator's license or operating privilege is suspended in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section, such hearing shall be scheduled not later than thirty days after such person contacts the department. At the request of such person, the hearing officer or the department and upon a showing of good cause, the commissioner may grant one or more continuances.
(2) A hearing based on a report submitted under subsection (c) of this section shall be limited to a determination of the following issues: (A) Did the police officer have probable cause to arrest the person for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both; (B) was such person placed under arrest; (C) did such person (i) refuse to submit to such test or nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation, or (ii) submit to such test, commenced within two hours of the time of operation, and the results of such test indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content; and (D) was such person operating the motor vehicle.
(3) A hearing based on a report submitted under subsection (d) of this section shall be limited to a determination of the following issues: (A) Did the police officer have probable cause to arrest the person for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both; (B) was such person placed under arrest; (C) was such person operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both; and (D) was such person operating the motor vehicle.
(4) In a hearing under this subsection, the results of the test, if administered, shall be sufficient to indicate the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person at the time of operation, provided such test was commenced within two hours of the time of operation. The fees of any witness summoned to appear at a hearing under this subsection shall be the same as provided by the general statutes for witnesses in criminal cases. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 52-143, any subpoena summoning a police officer as a witness shall be served not less than seventy-two hours prior to the designated time of the hearing.
(5) In a hearing based on a report submitted under subsection (d) of this section, evidence of operation under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both shall be admissible. Such evidence may include, but need not be limited to, (A) the police officer's observations of intoxication, as documented in a report submitted to the commissioner under subsection (d) of this section; (B) the results of any chemical test administered under this section or a toxicology report certified by the Division of Scientific Services within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; (C) hospital or medical records obtained in accordance with subsection (j) of this section or by the consent of the operator; (D) the results of any tests conducted by, or the report of, an officer trained in advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement; or (E) reports of drug recognition experts.
(h) If, after a hearing under subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of this section, the commissioner finds in the negative on any one of the issues specified in subparagraph (A), (B), (C) or (D) of said subdivision, the commissioner shall reinstate such license or operating privilege. If, after a hearing under subdivision (3) of subsection (g) of this section, the commissioner finds in the negative on any one of the issues specified in subparagraph (A), (B), (C) or (D) of said subdivision, the commissioner shall reinstate such license or operating privilege. If, after such hearing under subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (g) of this section, the commissioner does not find on any one of said issues in the negative or if such person fails to appear at such hearing, the commissioner shall affirm the suspension contained in the suspension notice for the appropriate period specified in subsection (i) of this section. The commissioner shall render a decision at the conclusion of such hearing and send a notice of the decision by bulk certified mail to such person. The notice of such decision sent by bulk certified mail to the address of such person as shown by the records of the commissioner shall be sufficient notice to such person that such person's operator's license or operating privilege is reinstated or suspended, as the case may be.
(i) (1) The commissioner shall suspend the operator's license or operating privilege of a person who did not contact the department to schedule a hearing, who failed to appear at a hearing, or against whom a decision was issued, after a hearing, pursuant to subsection (h) of this section, as of the effective date contained in the suspension notice, for a period of forty-five days. As a condition for the restoration of such operator's license or operating privilege, such person shall be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the longer of either (A) the period prescribed in subdivision (2) of this subsection for the present arrest and suspension, or (B) the period prescribed in subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a or subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (c) of section 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (c) of section 14-227n for the present arrest and conviction, if any.
(2) (A) A person twenty-one years of age or older at the time of the arrest who submitted to a test and the results of such test indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content, or was found to have been operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both based on a report filed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, six months; (ii) for a second suspension under this section, one year; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension under this section, two years; (B) a person under twenty-one years of age at the time of the arrest who submitted to a test and the results of such test indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content, or was found to have been operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both based on a report filed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, one year; (ii) for a second suspension under this section, two years; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension under this section, three years; and (C) a person, regardless of age, who refused to submit to a test or nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, one year; (ii) for a second suspension under this section, two years; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension, under this section, three years.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, a person whose motor vehicle operator's license or operating privilege has been permanently revoked upon a third offense pursuant to subsection (g) of section 14-227a or subsection (c) of section 14-227m shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111.
(j) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) to (i), inclusive, of this section, any police officer who obtains the results of a test of a blood sample taken from or a urine sample provided by an operator of a motor vehicle who was involved in an accident and suffered or allegedly suffered physical injury in such accident, or who was otherwise deemed by a police officer to require treatment or observation at a hospital, shall notify the commissioner and submit to the commissioner a written report if such results indicate that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content, or any quantity of an intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, in such person's blood, and if such person was arrested for violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n. The report shall be made on a form approved by the commissioner containing such information as the commissioner prescribes, and shall be subscribed and sworn to under penalty of false statement, as provided in section 53a-157b, by the police officer. The commissioner may, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, which shall be conducted by a hearing officer on behalf of the commissioner in accordance with chapter 54, suspend the motor vehicle operator's license or operating privilege of such person for the appropriate period of time specified in subsection (i) of this section and require such person to install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the appropriate period of time prescribed in subsection (i) of this section. Each hearing conducted under this subsection shall be limited to a determination of the following issues: (1) Whether the police officer had probable cause to arrest the person for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug, or both; (2) whether such person was placed under arrest; (3) whether such person was operating the motor vehicle; (4) whether (A) the results of the analysis of the blood or urine of such person indicate that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content, or (B) the person was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both; and (5) in the event that a blood sample was taken, whether the blood sample was obtained in accordance with conditions for admissibility and competence as evidence as set forth in subsection (k) of section 14-227a. If, after such hearing, the commissioner finds on any one of the said issues in the negative, the commissioner shall not impose a suspension. The fees of any witness summoned to appear at the hearing shall be the same as provided by the general statutes for witnesses in criminal cases, as provided in section 52-260.
(k) The provisions of this section shall apply with the same effect to the refusal by any person to submit to an additional chemical test as provided in subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 14-227a.
(l) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person whose physical condition is such that, according to competent medical advice, such test would be inadvisable.
(m) The state shall pay the reasonable charges of any physician who, at the request of a law enforcement unit, as defined in section 7-294a, takes a blood sample for purposes of a test under the provisions of this section.
(n) For the purposes of this section, “elevated blood alcohol content” means (1) a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is eight-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, (2) if such person is operating a commercial motor vehicle, a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is four-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, or (3) if such person is less than twenty-one years of age, a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is two-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight.
(o) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.”
(1963, P.A. 616, S. 2; February, 1965, P.A. 190; 1967, P.A. 656, S. 9; 721; P.A. 75-205; P.A. 80-438, S. 4; P.A. 81-446, S. 3; P.A. 82-403, S. 4; 82-408, S. 4; P.A. 83-534, S. 2; P.A. 85-596, S. 2; P.A. 89-314, S. 1, 5; P.A. 90-263, S. 73, 74; P.A. 93-371, S. 1, 5; P.A. 94-189, S. 14; P.A. 95-279, S. 1, 2; P.A. 98-182, S. 20, 22; P.A. 99-255, S. 2; P.A. 02-70, S. 72; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-1, S. 109; P.A. 03-278, S. 48, 49; P.A. 04-250, S. 1; P.A. 05-215, S. 6; Jan. Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-1, S. 34; P.A. 08-32, S. 1; P.A. 09-187, S. 63; P.A. 10-110, S. 27; P.A. 12-81, S. 19; P.A. 14-228, S. 6; P.A. 16-55, S. 6, 7; 16-126, S. 17; P.A. 21-106, S. 26; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1, S. 118.)
History: 1965 act added provision re implied consent of parents or guardian of minor; 1967 acts required state to pay charges of physician who takes blood sample at police department's request, required arrested person to be informed of constitutional rights, required that three conditions be met for suspension or revocation of license rather than that single condition, i.e. that person was operating vehicle, be met and made provisions inapplicable if charge nolled or changed; P.A. 75-205 included reference to urine tests and to operation of vehicle under influence of drug or both drug and alcohol; P.A. 80-438 specified that judge rather than court or jury is responsible for making finding and added provision re finding in case where charge nolled or changed, allowed suspension or revocation for maximum of 6 months rather than upon terms and conditions of commissioner and deleted previous provision excluding nolled or changed charge; P.A. 81-446 added the provisions that the license of any person who refuses to submit to test shall be automatically suspended for 90 days, that police officer shall file a written report of such refusal, and that any person whose operating privilege has been suspended in accordance with this section shall be entitled to an immediate hearing before the commissioner; P.A. 82-403 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing the provision that a license will be suspended “for a period of ninety days” with “in accordance with the provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section”, amended Subsec. (c) by adding “resulting in erratic driving, a motor vehicle violation or a motor vehicle accident”, amended Subsec. (d) by specifying its provisions concerned “a first” refusal, made Subsec. (e) a part of Subsec. (d) and added a new Subsec. (e) concerning the hearing procedure for license suspension upon a second or subsequent refusal and the period of such suspension; P.A. 82-408 added provisions re revocation of license for 24-hour period; P.A. 83-534 amended the section to make it applicable to a person arrested for operating a motor vehicle “while his ability to operate such motor vehicle is impaired by the consumption of intoxicating liquor”, amended Subsec. (b) to authorize the police officer to designate which test the arrested person shall take, to provide that if the person refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test the police officer shall designate the breath or urine test, to require the police officer to inform the person that evidence of refusal to submit to a test will be admissible and may be used against him in a criminal prosecution and to require the police officer to make a record that he informed the person that refusal to take the test would cause suspension of his driver's license, amended Subsec. (d) to increase from 90 days to 6 months the period of license suspension upon a first refusal, and amended Subsec. (f) to change its applicability from a person who refuses to take a test for the “second or subsequent” time to a person whose license has previously been suspended for a refusal, who has previously been found guilty of operating under the influence or who has previously participated in the pretrial alcohol education system; P.A. 85-596 amended Subsec. (b) to add requirement of affording an operator a reasonable opportunity to telephone an attorney prior to the performance of the test and inserted a new Subsec. (g) re the applicability of the provisions of the section to a refusal to submit to an additional test and relettered the remaining Subsecs. accordingly; P.A. 89-314 extensively revised section by making the provisions applicable to any person who is arrested for manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle or assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle and to any person who submits to a test or analysis where the results of such test or analysis indicate that at the time of the alleged offense the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person was 0.10% or more of alcohol, by weight, by amending Subsec. (c) to require the arresting police officer “acting on behalf of the commissioner of motor vehicles” to “take possession” of the license or “suspend” the nonresident operating privilege for 24 hours, issue a temporary operator's license or nonresident operating privilege valid for the period commencing 24 hours after issuance and ending 35 days after the date such person received notice of his arrest, prepare a report of the incident and mail the report together with a copy of the completed temporary license form, any operator's license and a copy of the results of any chemical test or analysis to the department of motor vehicles within 3 business days, and require that the report be made by the police officer before whom such refusal was made “or who administered or caused to be administered such test or analysis”, by amending Subsec. (d) to replace provisions requiring the commissioner upon receipt of a report of a first refusal to suspend a license for 6 months with provisions requiring the commissioner upon receipt of a report to suspend the license “effective as of a date certain, which date shall be not later than thirty-five days after the date such person received notice of his arrest by the police officer” and to add provisions requiring the commissioner to send the person a suspension notice and specifying the contents of such notice, by deleting Subsec. (e) re police procedure when a license is revoked for 24 hours, by deleting Subsec. (f) re the scheduling of a hearing, the issues at the hearing and the suspension for one year for a refusal and three years for a subsequent refusal of the license or privilege of a person whose license or privilege had previously been suspended for a refusal, who had previously been found guilty of operating while under the influence or who had previously participated in the pretrial alcohol education system, by adding a new Subsec. (e) to require the commissioner to affirm the suspension if the person does not schedule a hearing, by adding a new Subsec. (f) re the scheduling and holding of the hearing, the granting of a continuance, the extension of the validity of the temporary license and the issues to be determined at the hearing, formerly part of Subsec. (d), by designating the last sentence of Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (g) and adding provisions re affirmation of the suspension contained in the suspension notice if the commissioner does not find on any one of the said issues in the negative or if the person fails to appear at the hearing, time periods for rendering a decision and sending notice of such decision, and the reinstatement of the license if the commissioner fails to timely render a decision, by adding a new Subsec. (h) re the suspension by the commissioner of the license or privilege, the revocation by the commissioner of the temporary license or privilege, and the periods of license suspension, by redesignating Subsecs. (g), (h) and (i) as Subsecs. (i), (j) and (k), respectively, and by adding Subsec. (l) re regulations; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (f) to require that fees of witnesses summoned to appear at the hearing be the same as provided by the general statutes for witnesses in criminal cases; P.A. 93-371 eliminated the requirement that the test results indicate an elevated blood alcohol ratio “at the time of the alleged offense” by deleting that phrase where appearing, amended Subsec. (c) to require the test or analysis be commenced within two hours of the time of operation and require the report to be “subscribed” and sworn to under penalty of false statement by “the arresting officer” rather than by “the police officer before whom such refusal was made or who administered or caused to be administered such test or analysis”, amended Subsec. (f) to authorize the granting of a continuance “at the request of such person or the hearing officer”, provide in Subdiv. (3) that part of the issue to be determined is whether the test or analysis was commenced within two hours of the time of operation and added provision requiring evidence be presented that the test results and analysis thereof indicate the blood alcohol content at the time of operation when the additional test indicates the blood alcohol ratio is 0.12% or less and is higher than the results of the first test and amended Subsec. (g) to authorize the commissioner to send a notice of his decision by “bulk” certified mail and replace “Unless a continuance is granted to such person” with “Unless a continuance of the hearing is granted”, effective July 1, 1993 (Revisor's note: Towards the end of Subsec. (f) the phrase “twelve-hundredths of one per cent or less or alcohol, by weight,” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “twelve-hundredths of one per cent or less of alcohol, by weight,” for consistency); P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (c) by decreasing the time period during which a temporary license or nonresident operating privilege is valid from 35 to 30 days after the date of receipt of notice of arrest, amended Subsec. (d) by changing the effective date of suspension from not later than 35 days to not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of notice of arrest, amended Subsec. (f) by increasing the continuance period from “not to exceed ten days” to “not to exceed fifteen days”, amended Subsec. (g) by decreasing the time period for rendering a decision or sending a notice of decision from 35 to 30 days and amended Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (h) by deleting “at the time of the alleged offense” before “the ratio of alcohol in the blood”; P.A. 95-279 amended Subsecs. (b), (c) and (f) to delete reference to manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle or assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle, and amended Subsecs. (b) and (d) to make suspension of license discretionary rather than mandatory for refusal to submit to test or for submission to test and results indicating that ratio of alcohol in the blood of such operator was 0.10% or more of alcohol, by weight, or, in the case of Subsec. (d) upon receipt of report by commissioner, effective July 6, 1995; P.A. 98-182 added a new Subsec. (d) re procedures for a police officer to take possession of a motor vehicle operator's license and added a new Subsec. (j) re submission of a chemical analysis of a blood sample of a motor vehicle operator and report to the commissioner, and hearing procedures re license suspension, effective January 1, 1999; P.A. 99-255 made provisions applicable when a person has “an elevated blood alcohol content” rather than when “the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person was 0.10% or more of alcohol, by weight”, added Subsec. (i)(1)(B) to provide for a suspension period of 120 days, “if such person submitted to a test or analysis and the results of such test or analysis indicated that the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person was 0.16% or more of alcohol, by weight”, redesignating former Subpara. (B) as Subpara. (C), to revised Subsec. (i)(2) by replacing provision that specified a uniform suspension period of one year with provisions of Subparas. (A), (B) and (C) specifying a suspension period of 9 months if the person submitted to a test or analysis and had an elevated blood alcohol content, 10 months if the person submitted to a test or analysis and had a blood alcohol ratio of 0.16% or more of alcohol, by weight, and one year if the person refused to submit to a test or analysis, respectively, and revised Subsec. (i)(3) by replacing provision that specified a uniform suspension period of two years with provisions of Subparas. (A), (B) and (C) specifying a suspension period of two years if the person submitted to a test or analysis and had an elevated blood alcohol content, two and one-half years if the person submitted to a test or analysis and had a blood alcohol ratio of 0.16% or more of alcohol, by weight, and three years if the person refused to submit to a test or analysis, respectively, added new Subsec. (n) defining “elevated blood alcohol content”, redesignating former Subsec. (n) as Subsec. (o), and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (c) to eliminate requirement that police officer issue a temporary operator's license or nonresident operating privilege and to eliminate requirement that police officer mail to Department of Motor Vehicles a copy of completed temporary license form and any operator's license taken into possession, effective July 1, 2002; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-1 amended Subsecs. (b), (c), (g), and (j) to eliminate references to operating a motor vehicle while the person's ability is impaired by the consumption of intoxicating liquor, amended Subsec. (n) to reduce ratio of alcohol in blood from 0.10% to 0.08% or more of alcohol in definition of “elevated blood alcohol content”, eliminate from such definition former Subdiv. (2) providing “if such person has been convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227a, a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is 0.07% or more of alcohol, by weight” and redesignate existing Subdiv. (3) as Subdiv. (2), and made technical changes in Subsecs. (b), (j) and (k), effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsecs. (g) and (i), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-250 amended Subsec. (e) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1), making conforming changes therein, and adding Subdiv. (2) to permit commissioner to suspend license or operating privilege, upon notice and prior to hearing, of person arrested for operating motor vehicle under influence of alcohol or drugs if person involved in accident resulting in fatality or previously arrested under Sec. 14-227a during preceding 10-year period, amended Subsec. (g) to require hearing re license or operating privilege suspension not later than 30 days after person contacts department and made technical changes in Subsec. (o); P.A. 05-215 amended Subsecs. (f) and (h) re suspension period to add reference to Subsec. (j), amended Subsec. (i) to add exception for suspensions under Subsec. (j), added new Subsec. (j) re increased suspension period for a person under 21 years of age, redesignated existing Subsecs. (j) to (o) as Subsecs. (l) to (p), and amended Subsec. (k) to replace “subsections (b) to (i), inclusive” with “subsections (b) to (j), inclusive”, effective January 1, 2006; Jan. Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-1 amended Subsec. (k) to replace authorized suspension of “a period of up to ninety days, or, if such person has previously had such person's operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended under this section for a period of up to one year” with “the appropriate period specified in subsection (i) or (j) of this section”, effective January 25, 2008; P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (j) to add exception to period of suspension for first offense of persons 16 or 17 years of age, of 1 year for elevated blood alcohol content or 18 months for refusal to submit to test, effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (c) to allow electronic transmission of police reports and admission of such reports in department hearings, delete police report requirement of probable cause to arrest person for operating a motor vehicle while under influence of alcohol or drugs or both, and insert requirement of probable cause to arrest person for a violation of Sec. 14-227a (a), amended Subsec. (g) to authorize one or more continuances, delete exception requiring evidence of test accuracy if results of additional test indicate blood alcohol content is .12 or less and is higher than results of first test, and require service to police officer of subpoena as witness not less than 72 hours prior to hearing, amended Subsec. (h) to delete provisions re notice deadlines and re reinstatement if commissioner fails to render decision within 30 days, amended Subsec. (k) to insert provisions re operator deemed by police officer to require treatment or observation and re hearing officer, amended Subsec. (o) to establish elevated blood alcohol content of .04 for person operating commercial motor vehicle, and made technical and conforming changes; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (i) to make license suspension effective as of date contained in suspension notice, delete “or the date the commissioner renders a decision, whichever is later” and make technical changes, effective June 5, 2010; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (k) to make provisions applicable when police officer obtains results of chemical analysis of urine sample, include in Subdiv. (4) results of analysis of person's urine and make Subdiv. (5) applicable in the event a blood sample was taken, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 14-228 amended Subsec. (i) to replace provisions re periods of suspension with provisions re 45-day suspension period and installation of ignition interlock device as condition for restoration of operator's license or nonresident operating privilege in Subdiv. (1), add new Subdiv. (2) re periods of installation of ignition interlock device for suspension and add new Subdiv. (3) re permanent revocation for third offense under Sec. 14-227a(g), deleted former Subsec. (j) re suspension for person under 21 years of age, redesignated existing Subsecs. (k) to (p) as Subsecs. (j) to (o), amended redesignated Subsec. (j) to add provision re installation and maintenance of ignition interlock device, and made conforming and technical changes, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (g) to add provision re commissioner granting department's request for continuance, amended Subsec. (j) to delete “in connection with such accident” in provision re operator deemed by police officer to require treatment or observation, and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provision re operating motor vehicle while under influence with provision re violation of Sec. 14-227a, Sec. 14-227m or Sec. 14-227n(a)(1) or (2), amended Subsec. (c) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-227a(a) with reference to Sec. 14-227a and by adding references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n(a)(1) and (2), amended Subsec. (e)(2) by adding references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n, amended Subsec. (i)(1) by adding references to Secs. 14-227m(c)(1), (2) and (3) and 14-227n(c)(1) and (2), amended Subsec. (i)(2) by adding reference to Sec. 14-227m(c), amended Subsec. (j) by adding references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n(a)(1) and (2), and made technical changes; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) to define “motor vehicle”, effective July 1, 2021; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1 amended Subsec. (a) to insert Subdiv. (1) indicator and add Subdiv. (2) re nontestimonial portion of drug influence evaluation, replaced provisions of Subsec. (b) with new provisions re police officer request for test or evaluation, amended Subsec. (c) to add references to nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation, insert reference to person “not licensed” and make conforming changes, replaced provisions of Subsec. (d) with new provisions re police officer who does not request test or receives test results indicating person does not have elevated blood alcohol content, amended Subsec. (e)(1) to insert reference to Subsec. (c) or (d) of this section and insert Subpara. (A) indicator and add Subpara. (B) re test or evaluation results, amended Subsec (e)(2) to delete reference to Subsec. (f), amended Subsec. (g) by inserting Subdiv. indicators, replacing existing Subdiv. indicators with Subpara. indicators, adding clause indicators and adding reference to nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation, adding Subdivs. (3) and (5) re hearing based on report submitted under Subsec. (d), amended Subsec. (h) to add provision re hearing under Subsec. (g)(3), amended Subsec. (i)(2)(A) to add provisions re report filed pursuant to Subsec. (d) and nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation, amended Subsec. (j) to add provision re “any quantity of an intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, in such person's blood”, designate existing provisions of Subdiv. (4) as Subpara. (A) and add Subpara. (B), amended Subsec. (k) to replace reference to Sec. 14-227a(b)(5) with 14-227a(b)(1)(E), amended Subsec. (m) to replace reference to municipal police department with law enforcement unit, removed references to “nonresident” operating privilege throughout and made technical and conforming changes, effective April 1, 2022.

Structure Connecticut General Statutes