How long can your license be suspended for a DUI if you refuse the breath test?

In North Carolina, if an individual refuses to take a breath test when suspected of driving under the influence (DUI), the law imposes a mandatory suspension of their driver’s license for a period of one year. This penalty is part of the "implied consent" law, which means that by driving in North Carolina, drivers are considered to have given consent to chemical testing. When a driver refuses to submit to this testing, they are subject to this additional punishment, separate from any other penalties that may arise from the DUI itself.

The length of the suspension is specifically set at one year, which serves as a deterrent to discourage refusals of testing. This means that individuals who opt not to comply with the request for a breath test will face significant consequences that can affect their driving privileges for an entire year, regardless of the outcomes of any criminal proceedings that may follow regarding the DUI charge.