California Driver Handbook
Actions Resulting in Loss of License
IF YOU DRINK AND DRIVE THE COST OF A DUI
ARREST CAN TOTAL $8,240*
*If you use an attorney, the cost is even greater.
ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT CHARTS
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS /IS ILLEGAL*
There is no safe way to drive while under the influence. Even one drink can make you an unsafe driver.
Drinking alcohol affects your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). It is illegal to drive with a BAC that is .08% or more (.04% or more if you drive commercial vehicles; .01% or more if under 21). However, a BAC below .08% does not mean that it is safe or legal to drive. The charts below show the BAC zones for various numbers of drinks and time periods. Remember: “One drink” is a 1 1/2-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor (even if mixed with non-alcoholic drinks), a 5-ounce glass of 12% wine, or a 12-ounce glass of 5% beer. These “one drink” equivalents change if you are drinking ale, malt liquors, fortified wines, port, brandy, different proof liquor, or if you are drinking on an empty stomach, are tired, sick, upset, or have taken medicines or drugs.
Text Alternative for this BAC/DUI Chart
HOW TO USE THESE CHARTS: Find your weight chart. Then, look for the total number of drinks you have had and compare that to the time shown. If your BAC level is in the grey zone, your chances of having an accident are 5 times higher than if you had no drinks, and 25 times higher if your BAC level falls in the black zone.
| BAC Zones | 90 to 109 lbs. | 110 to 129 lbs | 130 to 149 lbs. | 150 to 169 lbs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Time from 1st drink | Total Drinks | Total Drinks | Total Drinks | Total Drinks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
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| BAC Zones | 170 to 189 lbs. | 190 to 209 lbs. | 210 lbs. & Up | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Time from 1st drink | Total Drinks | Total Drinks | Total Drinks | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
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Technical note: These charts are not legal evidence of actual BAC. Although it is possible for anyone to exceed the designated limits, the charts have been constructed so that fewer than 5 persons in 100 will exceed these limits when drinking the stated amounts on an empty stomach. Actual values can vary by body type, sex, health status, and other factors.
Legend:
(.01%–.04%) Possible DUI—Definitely unlawful if under 21 years old
(.05%–.07%) Likely DUI—Definitely unlawful if under 21 years old
(.08% Up) Definitely DUI*
*VC §§ 23152, 23153, 23136, 23140 DUI = Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs.