Drinking and Driving Laws in Idaho
The State of Idaho has a drunk driving law that prohibits driving when the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or above. The .08 percentage level is the standard BAC measurement used in all states. Idaho also has stricter laws in place for drivers of commercial vehicles and drivers under the age of 21.
How many drinks does it take to reach the legal limit in Idaho?
Calculating how many drinks it takes to reach the .08 BAC level is not an exact science. Each person has individual characteristics that play a role in how alcohol is metabolized. Variables such as body weight, body-fat percentage, age, genetics and the amount of time between drinks all play into the formula. There have been studies that have show that a persons BAC level could rise .05 percent for each drink taken within a given time frame. Keeping this in mind, it takes very little alcohol to become legally drunk or impaired in any state.
The best answer is not to drink and drive . The State of Idaho has strict laws for drunk driving, and when you drink and drive in Idaho, you risk your freedom, finances and your future.
Drunk Driving Laws in Idaho
State of Idaho BAC Laws:
All drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher.
Under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher.
Commercial Vehicle Driver with a BAC of .04 or higher.
Idaho Drunk Driving Fines & Penalties
First Drunk Driving Conviction
For your first drunk driving conviction in Idaho you will be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be sentenced to jail for no longer than 6 months. You may also be fined up to $1,000 on your first drunk driving offense. Your drivers license will be suspended for an absolute minimum of 30 days. The court may rule after the 30 day suspension to extend the suspension from 60-150 days. The driver may request restricted driving privileges for employment or family health needs.
Second Drunk Driving Conviction (Within 10 years of the First)
The second time you are arrested for drunk driving in Idaho you will serve a minimum of 10 days or up to 1 year in jail and be fined up to $2,000. Your drivers license will be suspended for a minimum period of 1 year after release from jail. During the one year suspension, no restricted driving privileges will be allowed. You may also be ordered to install a ignition interlock system at your own expense following the one year suspension.
Third (and future) Drunk Driving Conviction
The third arrest for drunk driving in Idaho will have you sentenced to the custody of the state board of corrections for no more than 10 years. If the court decides not to send you to a state penitentiary, you will be sentenced to the county jail for a mandatory minimum of 30 days. The fine you will receive will be up to $5,000 and your drivers license will be suspended for a period of 1-5 years after the imprisonment. You will also be ordered to install a ignition interlock system at your own expense following the mandatory one year suspension.
The Implied Consent Law in Idaho
Like many of the other states across the country Idaho has what is called an implied consent law. To put it simply, any person who drives in Idaho is deemed to have given their consent to be tested for alcohol or drug concentration in their blood, breath or urine if the requesting officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the driver may be impaired. If the driver refuses this testing he will be fined $250 and have his drivers license seized by the arresting officer. The driver will be issued a temporary license that is valid until the day of his hearing or 30 days. The hearing will be used to question why the driver did not submit to the test requested. The burden of defense will be on the driver to prove that he was not impaired at the time of the arrest. If the driver is proven guilty, he will have his license revoked for a period of one year for the first refusal and 2 years for a second refusal if it is within 10 years of the first. If the court finds that the officer did not have legal cause to stop the driver and request the test, the driver will not have his license revoked.
Additional Information on Drunk Driving Laws, Penalties and Fines in Idaho
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