As a driver under the age of 21, or the parent of a young driver, you need to understand state laws regarding drunk driving and those who have not reached the legal drinking age. In fact, some drivers do not realize that the blood alcohol content (BAC) level limit is much lower for drivers under the age of 21, meaning that even a tiny amount of alcohol can lead to drunk driving charges.
For young drivers and their families, a drunk driving case can spell disaster for many reasons, creating problems in school and affecting one’s job as well as their future.
Underage drunk driving and BAC levels
According to the Florida Legislature, it is unlawful for drivers under the age of 21 to physically control or drive a vehicle if their BAC level is .02 or greater. When law enforcement officials have probable cause, they can detain a driver under the age of 21 and ask them to take a sobriety test to determine their BAC level. If the driver’s BAC level is .02 or above, or if the driver refuses to take a sobriety test, they could face serious penalties.
License suspension over underage drunk driving
If a driver fails a sobriety test, they could lose their license for six months (or up to one year if they have lost their license for underage drunk driving before). If a driver refuses to submit to a sobriety test, they could have their license suspended for one year (or 18 months if they have lost their license because they refused a sobriety test before).
