What statute defines OVI in Ohio?

Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.19 is the controlling OVI statute in Ohio. You can read the current text on the official code site at codes.ohio.gov.

What is the Ohio implied-consent law?

Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.191 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful OVI arrest.

Ohio DUI Statutes: The Code Sections That Control Your Case

The statutes that control Ohio OVI cases

OVI in Ohio is defined by Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.19, and the chemical-testing rules sit in Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.191. Both are published in the official state code at codes.ohio.gov, which is the only version that governs — summaries elsewhere, including ours, can lag amendments.

Ohio official code — OVI statute

Statutory text, definitions, BAC thresholds and sentencing ranges.

Implied-consent provision

What refusing a breath, blood or urine test costs you.

Statute at a glance

Ohio OVI law at a glance

Sourced from the Ohio code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.

Offense name: OVI (Ohio)
Controlling statute: Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.19
Implied consent: Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.191
Per se BAC limit: 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
Prior-offense lookback: 10 years
First-offense fine: $375–$1,075
First-offense jail exposure: up to 6 months
Licence suspension: 1 year
Ignition interlock: Not automatic on a first offense
Trial court: the Municipal Court or County Court
High-risk filing: SR-22 for 3 years

A first OVI is a first-degree misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum jail term or driver intervention program.

First-offense exposure under Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.19: $375–$1,075, up to 6 months of jail exposure, and a 1 year licence suspension. A first OVI is a first-degree misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum jail term or driver intervention program.

What Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.19 actually says

R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) — no person shall operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination.
R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(b)-(i) — operating with specified concentrations of alcohol in breath, blood or urine, including the 0.08 threshold.
R.C. 4511.19 — enhanced 'high-test' penalties for a concentration of .17 or more.
R.C. 4511.191 — implied consent and the administrative suspension for refusal or failure.

Charging documents cite the exact subsection, so check which one appears on your citation. The posted text on codes.ohio.gov carries an effective date — amendments passed after it are not yet reflected.

Other Ohio sections that control the case

R.C. 4511.191

Implied consent and administrative licence suspension.

R.C. 4511.197

Appeal of an implied consent suspension.

Ohio ZIP codes covered

These Ohio ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.

Browse all Ohio ZIP codes.

Counties and cities using these Ohio resources

Other Ohio official resources

Ohio DUI Courts: Where Your Case Is Heard Ohio Driver Licensing After a DUI: Hearings, Reinstatement & SR-22

Frequently asked questions

What statute defines OVI in Ohio?: Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.19 is the controlling OVI statute in Ohio. You can read the current text on the official code site at codes.ohio.gov.
What is the Ohio implied-consent law?: Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.191 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful OVI arrest.