Texas DUI Laws
 

 

  


 

TEXAS DUI LAWS

Texas has some of the toughest laws in the country especially for minors

The Legal Limit. The legal limit for intoxication in Texas is .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). However, drivers can be stopped and cited for impaired driving due to alcohol or other drugs regardless of BAC. Texas also has a zero tolerance law for anyone under 21. It is illegal to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol if you are under 21. A DUI stays on your record for life. If a law enforcement officer asks you to take a blood or breath test to measure how much alcohol is in your system, you should comply. If you refuse, you are subject to an automatic 180-day driver’s license suspension. Punishment for Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated, varies depending on the number of times you've been convicted as your previous record and convictions for other crimes.

YES you can get a DUI or DWI while riding a horse or a bike! A bicycle or a horse is still a mode of transportation and you can still be charged and convicted! You will face consequences if you ride, drive, or operate transportation while under the influence.

Underage Drinking

If you’re under 21, here’s what happens the first time you are found in possession of alcohol.
Any amount of beer, wine or liquor will trigger the penalties.
  • 30-day driver’s license suspension
  • up to a $500 fine
  • 8 to 12 hours of community service
  • mandatory attendance in alcohol-awareness classes

A second or third offense can lead to suspension of your driver’s license for 90 to 180 days. If you’re 17 or older, you also can be fined as much as $2,000 and go to jail for up to 180 days for a third offense.

If you’re under 21, here’s what happens the first time you are stopped for drinking and driving.

  • 60-day driver’s license suspension
  • up to a $500 fine
  • 20 to 40 hours of community service
  • mandatory attendance in alcohol-awareness classes


Get caught drinking and driving a second or third time, and the penalties increase, including suspension of your driver’s license for up to 180 days. That’s called zero tolerance. It means “zero” alcohol. And that’s the law in Texas.

If you’re 17 and over, here’s what happens if you’re stopped for drinking and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater.
Some people, particularly teenagers, can reach a .08 BAC with two or three beers an hour.

  • up to a $2,000 fine
  • 72 hours to 180 days in jail
  • driver’s license suspension of 90 days to one year

 

 

 

  

 

Fast Fact Stats: Texas led the U.S. in 2006 in alcohol related fatalities with 1,544 which accounted for around 45% of all accident related fatalities!