Implied consent and teen DUI suspensions

Key points

1. Georgia law requires you to submit to state chemical tests of blood, breath, urine or other substances.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “Georgia law requires you to submit to state administered chemical tests of your blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substances”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 47

2. After the state tests, you may get additional tests at your own expense.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “you are entitled to additional chemical tests of your blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substances at your own expense and from qualified personnel of your own choosing.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 47

3. For teen drivers, the first DUI suspension rules cover a BAC of .02 or more but under .08.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “First DUI Suspension: • If your Blood Alcohol Concentration was .02 or greater, but less than .08;”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 27

4. For teen drivers, a BAC of .08 or more or a refused test means at least a 12 month suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “If your Blood Alcohol Concentration was .08 or greater or you refused implied consent testing, your license will be suspended for a minimum period of12 months;”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 27

5. Having a prescription is no defense if the medicine impairs your driving.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “Having a prescription for certain medication is not a defense if the medication impairs your ability to”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 23

6. Aggressive or reckless driving by a driver under 21 results in a suspension of all driving privileges.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “if the driver is under 21 years of age, conviction will result in a suspension of all driving privileges.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 23

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Georgia practice test

1. 1. For a Georgia driver under 21, what BAC level is identified as the suspension threshold?

   1. 0.04 percent or higher
   2. Any measurable amount only after a crash
   3. 0.08 percent or higher
   4. 0.02 percent or higher
   Show answer

   0.02 percent or higher. Georgia's under 21 rule uses a much lower BAC threshold than the adult standard. The manual identifies 0.02 percent or more by alcohol weight as the level connected with suspension for a driver under 21. The adult 0.08 percent figure therefore understates the risk for a younger driver. A reading does not need to reach the adult number, and the rule is not limited to crashes. The cue is the leading zero and the two hundredths figure: 0.02.

2. 2. For a first conviction under Georgia's teen license suspension rules, what suspension period is listed for the offenses in that section?

   1. Six months
   2. Thirty days
   3. Until the driver turns 21
   4. Twelve months
   Show answer

   Six months. Georgia lists a six month suspension for a first conviction of the specified offenses involving drivers under 21. A second or subsequent conviction carries twelve months, so that longer period is not the first-offense figure. Thirty days is not the interval printed in this section, and the rule does not postpone suspension until age 21. The useful study cue is to pair the conviction count with the period: first conviction means six months, while repeat convictions move to twelve months.

3. 3. What does Georgia say about a prescription medication that impairs a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle?

   1. The prescription always permits driving
   2. The medication matters only for commercial drivers
   3. The rule applies only after a crash
   4. Having the prescription is not a defense
   Show answer

   Having the prescription is not a defense. Georgia states that having a prescription for certain medication is not a defense when the medication impairs a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The important issue is the effect on safe driving, not whether the medicine was legally obtained or whether the driver holds a commercial license. A prescription does not remove the responsibility to avoid impaired operation. The practical cue is impairment: if the medication affects safe control, do not drive until it is safe.

Source: the Georgia Drivers Manual, Section 10: Losing Your Driving Privileges. 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.