Alcohol, drugs and DUI

Key points

1. Drivers 21 or older are DUI with a BAC of .08 percent or higher.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Legally, drivers age 21 or older are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

2. Under 21, a BAC of at least .02 but under .08 can bring an illegal consumption conviction.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “If under age 21, you can be convicted of illegal consumption of alcohol if your BAC is at least .02 but less than .08.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

3. Driving impaired by any drug can bring the same penalties as alcohol.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “If your driving is impaired because you are under the influence of any drug, you may face the same penalties as driving under the influence of alcohol.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

4. Between 10 PM and 2 AM, an estimated 3 of every 10 drivers are drunk.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Researchers estimate that between the hours of 10 PM and 2 AM three out of every ten drivers are drunk.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

5. Nearly 50 percent of drivers arrested for DUI are social to moderate drinkers.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Nearly 50 percent of the drivers arrested for DUI are social to moderate drinkers.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

6. After drinking, your chance of a crash is 7 times greater than driving sober.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “your chances of being in a crash are seven times greater if you drive after drinking than if you drive sober.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

7. 12 ounces of beer equals a shot of liquor or a 5 ounce glass of wine.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Twelve ounces of beer is the same as a shot of liquor or a five-ounce glass of wine.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

8. Only time sobers you up; coffee, cold showers or exercise will not.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Only time can decrease intoxication. Coffee, cold showers or exercise will not sober you up.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

9. Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal even though possession is legal over 21.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Although the possession of marijuana and marijuana products (over the age of 21) is legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is still illegal.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Virginia practice test

1. 1. For a driver age 21 or older operating a noncommercial vehicle in Virginia, what is the lowest BAC covered by the general alcohol per se threshold?

   1. 0.02 percent or higher
   2. 0.05 percent or higher
   3. 0.10 percent or higher
   4. 0.08 percent or higher
   Show answer

   0.08 percent or higher. Virginia treats a driver who is at least 21 as driving under the influence when BAC reaches .08 percent. A reading of .02 percent belongs to the separate under-21 alcohol rule, while .05 percent is not the adult threshold stated here. A .10 percent reading is above the threshold, but it is not the minimum that triggers the rule. Focus on age first, then match the adult BAC figure. Actual impairment can also support a DUI conviction at a lower BAC.

2. 2. Which BAC range can result in an illegal-consumption conviction for a Virginia driver under age 21?

   1. At least .08 but less than .10
   2. At least .02 but less than .08
   3. At least .10 but less than .12
   4. At least .00 but less than .02
   Show answer

   At least .02 but less than .08. For a driver under 21, Virginia identifies illegal consumption when BAC is at least .02 but below .08. The .08 figure is the adult DUI threshold and misses the underage range when offered as the starting point. A range below .02 does not reach the stated minimum, while one beginning at .10 has passed the upper boundary. Remember both endpoints: .02 starts this age-based range, and .08 ends it.

3. 3. Between 10 PM and 2 AM, how many drivers do researchers estimate are drunk, according to the Virginia manual?

   1. Three out of every ten
   2. Half
   3. One out of every fifty
   4. One out of every hundred
   Show answer

   Three out of every ten. Researchers estimate that between the hours of 10 PM and 2 AM three out of every ten drivers are drunk, and more than one third of them have been drinking at someone else's home. Nearly half of drivers arrested for DUI are social to moderate drinkers. The manual's point is that the danger is not limited to problem drinkers, and late night driving means sharing the road with impaired drivers.

Source: the Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 3: Safe Driving. 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.