The 3 Legal Limits for Drunken Driving in Illinois

Do you know the legal limit for drunken driving in Illinois? No, this is not a trick question.

You may safely guess that 0.08% is the blood alcohol limit for a DUI. And you would be correct, because for anyone over this limit, you are presumed to be driving drunk.

But did you also know that the legal limit for driving drunk can also be 0.04% as well as zero? So what gives?

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There are several legal limits for driving drunk in Illinois. The one most people are familiar with is the legal limit for driving drunk for adults over the age of 21 who are driving their own vehicles.

However, as you know, not every drunken driver is 21 years of age or over. In fact, many college and high school kids drink and drive. For those under 21, Illinois enforces a zero-tolerance limit. In other words, if you are underage and had even a trace of alcohol in your blood stream, you can be busted for a DUI.

The same zero tolerance limit for drunken driving also applies to adults over the age of 21 who drive a school bus. So any school bus driver who even has half a drink can be arrested for a DUI as long as he registers above zero on a blood alcohol test.

Holders of a commercial driver’s license also face strict standards for driving under the influence. These individuals may not drive if they have a blood alcohol level above 0.04%. This can mean between two and three drinks for an average-sized male.

Finally, you should be aware that even adults driving their own vehicles can be busted for a DUI with a blood alcohol level below 0.08%. As long as your driving is impaired by alcohol use, or drug use for that matter, you can be arrested and charged with a DUI in Illinois.

Related Resources:

• Illinois DUI Laws (FindLaw)
• The 10 Steps of a DUI Arrest in Illinois (FindLaw’s Chicago DUI Blog)
• Find a Chicago DUI Attorney (FindLaw)