Under 21
DUI under 21: a .02 reading can cost you your license
You are under 21, and a reading as low as .02 can bring a DUI charge. Your license, school, job or scholarship may be at stake, and the license case moves before your court date.
Answered 24/7: a free review of your under 21 charge and a DUI lawyer for your state.
Under 21 in Virginia, a reading of .02 to under .08 costs the license for one year. It also brings at least $500 or 50 hours of community service (Code of Virginia 18.2-266.1).
The 0.02 limit
Zero tolerance laws set a maximum BAC below .02 for drivers under 21, and violators lose their license (NHTSA). One drink can be enough to reach it, depending on weight. The BAC calculator shows how.
What it costs
In Pennsylvania, a driver under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher faces a fine starting at $500. The jail range is 48 hours to six months. License loss lasts 12 to 18 months (PennDOT). New York sets a $125 civil penalty and a six-month suspension for a first zero tolerance finding (New York DMV).
By state
| State | Rule |
|---|---|
| Virginia | .02 to under .08: one year license loss, at least $500 or 50 hours of service |
| Pennsylvania | .02 or more: 12 to 18 month suspension, 48 hours to six months jail |
| New York | Zero tolerance: $125 civil penalty, suspended six months |
| Illinois | A DUI conviction under 21 brings a two-year minimum revocation |
Young drivers often have a school, a job or a scholarship at stake. Call now and a DUI defense lawyer for your state tells you what the charge means for them.
Questions people ask
What is the BAC limit under 21?
Every state sets a limit of .02 or lower for drivers under 21. NHTSA calls these zero tolerance laws, in effect in all states since 1998.
Can you get a DUI under 21 with a low BAC?
Yes. Under zero tolerance laws, .02 can bring a license penalty. At .08 or more you can face a regular DUI as well.
What happens with a DUI under 21?
In Virginia, a driver under 21 at .02 to under .08 loses the license for one year and pays at least $500 or does 50 hours of service. In Pennsylvania, .02 or more can mean a 12 to 18 month suspension.
Will a DUI under 21 affect college?
It can. A conviction can appear on background checks and some schools ask about criminal records. Ask a lawyer before you plead.
Read next: BAC calculator · Your first DUI · Clearing a DUI
What to do now
You were stopped under 21, and now you face a DUI under 21 charge. Your license and your plans for school or work can slip away if you wait. Call tonight so a DUI defense lawyer can go over your case and ask for the police records.
Call about my charge (877) 317-9931
Answered 24/7: a free review of your under 21 charge and a DUI lawyer for your state.
Send your case details
Send your BAC reading, the state where you were stopped, and the dates on your citation and license notice. With those details in hand, the call starts with your case instead of basic questions.