Zero Tolerance for Drivers Under 21

Key points

1. Under 21, driving with .02% BAC or more is penalized, on public roads and private property.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “In addition, if you are under 21 years of age, you are subject to “zero tolerance.” The law provides penalties for driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in your blood, defined as two hundredths of one percent (.02%) or more on both public roads and private property.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

2. A result of .02 percent or higher means a suspension of at least 45 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “If your test results are .02 percent or higher, the police will make a report to the Commissioner and your operator’s license will be suspended for at least 45 days.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

3. After a zero tolerance suspension, the ignition interlock is required for at least 1 year.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “The IID will be required for at least one year or possibly more, depending on the number of prior offenses on your driving record.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

4. People under 21 could be considered impaired after only one drink.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “In Connecticut, people under 21 years old could be considered impaired after having only one drink of alcohol.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

5. New drivers are more affected by alcohol than experienced drivers.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “New drivers are more affected by alco­hol than experienced drivers because they are still learning to drive.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

6. Never drink alcohol while taking other drugs; they can multiply its effects.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Never drink alcohol while you are taking other drugs. These drugs could multiply the effects of alcohol”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Connecticut practice test

1. 1. What is the lowest BAC threshold for Connecticut's under-21 alcohol driving rule?

   1. 0.15% or more
   2. 0.08% or more
   3. 0.10% or more
   4. 0.02% or more
   Show answer

   0.02% or more. Connecticut defines the under-21 zero-tolerance threshold as .02 percent or more, and the rule applies on both public roads and private property. A response using .08 percent describes the usual adult per se threshold, not this youth rule. The word measurable is useful here because the law does not require a high BAC before consequences begin. When studying this item, connect under 21 with .02 percent and remember that the location does not create an exception.

2. 2. For a driver under 21, what alcohol rule does Connecticut apply?

   1. No rule on private property
   2. A rule beginning at .08 percent only
   3. Zero tolerance for .02 percent or more
   4. A rule applying only after a crash
   Show answer

   Zero tolerance for .02 percent or more. Connecticut applies zero tolerance to drivers under 21. The manual defines measurable alcohol for this rule as .02 percent or more, and it applies on public roads and private property. The .08 choice is not the youth threshold, while a crash or private property does not create the listed exception. For study purposes, pair the age condition with .02 percent and remember that the rule reaches beyond public highways.

3. 3. What is the only thing that will sober a Connecticut driver up, according to the manual?

   1. Coffee
   2. A cold shower
   3. Fresh air and exercise
   4. Time
   Show answer

   Time. There is no way to sober up quickly; coffee, fresh air, exercise or cold showers will not help, and time is the only thing that will sober you up. Mixed drinks vary and can equal several normal drinks. Plan ahead for social drinking by going with others and agreeing on a driver who will not drink, or arranging a ride home in advance.

Source: the Connecticut Driver's Manual, Your License and Law: Alcohol and the Law. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.