Zero Tolerance, Revocation and Reinstatement

Key points

1. Under 21, a BAC of .02% or more means you are under the influence.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “you are under the age of twenty-one (21), and your blood alcohol content registers .02% or more.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 65

2. Zero Tolerance covers drivers under 21 from .02% up to under .08%; at .08% it is a regular DUI.

   Source: Handbook p. 66

   “These penalties apply to drivers under twenty-one (21) years of age, who have a Blood Alcohol Content of .02% or higher, but LESS than .08%.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 66

3. A first Zero Tolerance DUI: $250 fine and 120 day suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 66

   “Zero Tolerance DUI First Offense $250 120 days”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 66

4. A second Zero Tolerance DUI within 5 years: up to $500 and 1 year suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 66

   “Zero Tolerance DUI Second Offense within five (5) years Not more than $500 1 year”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 66

5. If your test reaches the limit, the officer's receipt works as a permit for only 30 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “The officer will give you an official receipt for your license, which will serve as your temporary permit to drive, valid for only thirty (30) days.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 65

6. Manslaughter or negligent homicide from a driving accident means a 1 year license revocation.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “The Commissioner of Public Safety must take away your license for a period of one (1) year if you are convicted of any of the following: manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from a driving accident;”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 67

7. Reinstatement after a DUI or implied consent suspension costs $175.

   Source: Handbook p. 68

   “Conviction under Mississippi Implied Consent Law / DUI or Uniform Controlled Substances Act $175”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 68

8. Three reckless driving charges within 12 months also bring mandatory revocation.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “three (3) reckless driving charges within a twelve (12) month period.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 67

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Mississippi practice test

1. 1. Under Mississippi's Zero Tolerance rule, which BAC range applies to a driver under 21?

   1. 0.05% or higher but less than 0.10%
   2. Any detectable alcohol, including 0.00%
   3. 0.02% or higher but less than 0.08%
   4. 0.08% or higher only
   Show answer

   0.02% or higher but less than 0.08%. The under-21 Zero Tolerance range starts at .02 percent and ends before .08 percent. The manual separately says that .08 percent or higher is classified as a regular DUI, so the choice “0.08% or higher only” skips the Zero Tolerance category. Zero does not mean any detectable amount automatically creates this charge. Remember both endpoints: .02 starts the range, while .08 changes the classification.

2. 2. What fine and license suspension apply to a first Zero Tolerance DUI for a Mississippi driver under 21?

   1. No fine and a warning
   2. $1,000 and 1 year
   3. $250 and 120 days
   4. $500 and 30 days
   Show answer

   $250 and 120 days. Zero Tolerance applies to drivers under 21 with a BAC of 0.02 or higher but less than 0.08. A first offense brings a $250 fine and a 120 day license suspension. It is not a warning, and $1,000 with a year describes a third offense fine cap paired with a second offense suspension. A second Zero Tolerance offense within five years brings a fine of not more than $500 and a one year suspension.

3. 3. A 19 year old in Mississippi is stopped and tests at 0.09 BAC. How is the offense classified?

   1. As a Zero Tolerance DUI, because the driver is under 21
   2. As a regular DUI, not a Zero Tolerance DUI
   3. As a traffic infraction only
   4. It is not an offense below 0.10
   Show answer

   As a regular DUI, not a Zero Tolerance DUI. Zero Tolerance penalties cover drivers under 21 whose BAC is 0.02 or higher but less than 0.08. When an under 21 driver reaches 0.08 or more, the manual says the offense is treated as a regular DUI, with the adult fines, jail and suspensions. So the Zero Tolerance label does not apply at 0.09. It is not a mere infraction, and 0.10 is not a Mississippi limit.

Source: the Mississippi Driver's Manual, Zero Tolerance DUI and License Suspension. 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.