DUI Law Varies from State to State - Know the Key BAC in Your State!
Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, commonly referred to as "DUI," is a crime in every state. However, the specifics vary from state to state. For instance, in some states there are enhanced penalties at a certain blood alcohol concentration (BAC), but the BAC that triggers those harsher consequences varies from state to state. Many states have also enacted "zero tolerance" policies for underage drivers, but "zero" doesn't always mean "zero." In some states, "zero" means ".01 or greater" and in others is means ".02 or greater." In a few, it actually means "zero." The quick reference chart below will let you know the applicable numbers in your state, as of November 20, 2006.
| State | Per-se BAC Level | Zero Tolerance BAC Level |
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level* |
| Alabama (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | N/A |
| Alaska (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.16 |
| Arizona (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.15 |
| Arkansas (DWI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| California (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.16 |
| Colorado (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.17 |
| Connecticut (OWI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.16 |
| Delaware (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.16 |
| DC (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.15 |
| Florida (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| Georgia (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| Hawaii (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| Idaho (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| Illinois (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.20 |
| Indiana (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| Iowa (OWI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| Kansas (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | N/A |
| Kentucky (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| Louisiana (DWI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| Maine (OUI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.15 |
| Maryland (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | N/A |
| Massachusetts (OUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| Michigan (DWI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | N/A |
| Minnesota (DWI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.20 |
| Mississippi (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | N/A |
| Missouri (DWI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| Montana (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| Nebraska (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| Nevada (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| New Hampshire (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.16 |
| New Jersey (DWI) | 0.08 | 0.01 | N/A |
| New Mexico (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.16 |
| New York (DWI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| North Carolina (DWI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| North Dakota (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.16 |
| Ohio (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.17 |
| Oklahoma (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.15 |
| Oregon (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.16 |
| Rhode Island (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| South Carolina (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| South Dakota (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.17 |
| Tennessee (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| Texas (DWI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.15 |
| Utah (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.16 |
| Vermont (OUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | N/A |
| Virginia (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| Washington (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| West Virginia (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | N/A |
| Wisconsin (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Wyoming (DUI) | 0.08 | 0.02 | N/A |
*N/A - No specific enhanced penalty statute.