Drinking and Driving Laws in Virginia
It is illegal in the State of Virginia to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above.The .08 percent limit is the benchmark for the "impaired" driver throughout the United States. In the State of Virginia, the BAC limit is lower for commercial drivers (.04) and drivers under the age of 21 (.02). The Virginia DUI law also prohibits driving under the influence of controlled substances and prescription drugs that may impair a drivers ability to navigate the roads safely.
2008 Change to the Virginia Drunk Driving Law
On March, 27th 2008 the Governor of Virginia signed House Bill 719 into law. This bill relates to penalties for underage drinking and driving and provides that underage drinking and driving is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also provides for forfeiture of such person's license to operate a motor vehicle for one year from the date of conviction and a mandatory minimum fine or community service.
For more information on this Bill Please CLICK HERE.
Another change in the State of Virginia drunk driving law is House Bill 1442. This bill, Chapter No. 862, relates to limitations of ignition interlock systems and requires the implementation of ignition interlock following a first DUI conviction and raises the administrative fee. The also provides that the cost of the interlock is to be paid from the criminal fund if the person is indigent and that the person is prohibited from driving a school bus, a school vehicle, or a passenger vehicle that carries more than a certain number of people. This bill also relates to violations of a restricted license.
For more information on this Bill Please CLICK HERE.
How many drinks does it take to reach the legal limit in Virginia?
Determining the number of drinks it takes to reach the .08 percent BAC limit is different for each individual. There are many variables that contribute to a BAC score such as your weight, sex, body-fat percentage, physical conditioning and more. There are tables and calculators that can provide a reference based on number of drinks, duration interval between drinks and sex, however these tools do not factor in all of the variables in the BAC equation.
The best answer is not to drink and drive . The State of Virginia has strict laws for drunk driving, and when you drink and drive in Virginia, you risk your freedom, finances and your future.
Drunk Driving Laws in Virginia
State of Virginia 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.
Virginia Drunk Driving Fines & Penalties
First Drunk Driving Conviction
The first time you are arrested and convicted of drunk driving in the State of Virginia you will receive a minimum fine of $250 and your drivers license will be suspended for 1 year. If you were driving with a child under the age of 17 at the time of your arrest, you will serve a minimum 5 day jail term. You will also face additional fines ranging from $500-$1,000. If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was between .15 and .20 at the time of arrest you will receive a mandatory minimum 5 days in jail. If your BAC was between .20 or higher, you will receive a minimum mandatory 10 days in jail.
Second Drunk Driving Conviction
The second time you are arrested for a DUI in Virginia you will receive a mandatory minimum fine of $500. Your drivers license will be revoked for 3 years and you could serve up to 1 year in jail. On your second DUI you will serve a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail if it was within 10 years of the first. If the DUI was within 5 years of the first you will spend a mandatory minimum of 20 days in jail. If you were driving with a child under the age of 17 at the time of your second arrest, you will be ordered to do 80 hours of community service in addition to other fines and jail time. You will also be ordered to install an ignition interlock device installed on every vehicle you own, co-own or operate as a condition of restricted driving privileges or full restoration of your driving privileges.
Third Drunk Driving Conviction
The 3rd arrest and conviction for drunk driving in the State of Virginia within a 10 year period is considered a felony. You will receive a mandatory minimum indefinite drivers license revocation. You will also be fined a mandatory minimum $1,000. You will also be ordered to install an ignition interlock device installed on every vehicle you own, co-own or operate as a condition of restricted driving privileges or full restoration of your driving privileges if the court allows. If the 3rd offense was within 5 years you will face a mandatory minimum of 6 months in jail and a permanent forfeiture of your vehicle. If the 3rd offense was within 10 years you will receive a mandatory minimum 90 days in jail. and a permanent forfeiture of your vehicle.
The Implied Consent Law in Virginia
The implied consent law in Virginia means that as a driver in the State of Virginia you agree to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath or urine if a peace officer has reasonable cause to believe you are under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs. If you refuse to submit to such a test you will be charged with refusal to take a blood alcohol test. The court may suspend your license if you are found guilty of the offense, and you may be subject to some of the same penalties that a DUI conviction would bring.
More on Drunk Driving Laws, Penalties and Fines in Virginia
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