What are the alcohol laws regarding teens?

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Every state now employs strict alcohol laws for teens under the term "Zero Tolerance." This means that it is illegal for any teen driver to operate a vehicle with any amount of alcohol in his or her system. Even if the teen's blood alcohol count (BAC) registers at .01, or if the arresting officer smells a hint of alcohol on the driver's breath, he or she will face a list of DUI penalties ranging from fines to possible license suspension. 

If you're pulled over for drunk driving you should consider hiring a DUI lawyer, someone who understands the DUI rules of your state. Their expertise with DUI or DWI cases, can help minimize the penalties and possibly even keep your driving record clean. This is especially important as a young driver. Getting labeled as a high risk driver at a young age can hound you for life with exorbitant insurance premiums. 

Zero Tolerance License Suspension
Alabama
x
x
90 day suspension
Alaska
x
x
90 day suspension
Arizona
x
x
Suspension of up to 2 years.
Arkansas
x
x
180 day suspension
California
x
x
Suspension of up to 1 year.
Colorado
x
x
1 year suspension
Connecticut
x
x
1 year suspension
Delaware
x
x
1 year suspension
Florida
x
x
6 month suspension
Georgia
x
x
1 year suspension
Hawaii
x
x
1 year suspension
Idaho
x
x
Minimum 30 day suspension
Illinois
x
x
180 day suspension
Indiana
x
x
Minimum 30 day suspension
Iowa
x
x
180 day suspension
Kansas
x
x
Minimum 30 day suspension
Kentucky
x
x
Minimum 30 day suspension
Louisiana
x
x
90 day suspension
Maine
x
x
Suspension length decided by judge.
Maryland
x
x
60 day suspension
Massachusetts
x
x
1 year suspension
Michigan
x
x
Minimum 30 day suspension
Minnesota
x
x
Suspension length decided by judge.
Mississippi
x
x
90 day suspension
Missouri
x
x
License could be permanently revoked.
Montana
x
x
6 month suspension
Nebraska
x
x
90 day suspension
Nevada
x
x
90 day suspension
New Hampshire
x
x
6 month suspension
New Jersey
x
x
3 month suspension
New Mexico
x
x
3 month suspension
New York
x
x
6 month suspension
North Carolina
x
x
1 year suspension
North Dakota
x
x
180 day suspension
Ohio
x
x
Up to a 2 year suspension
Oklahoma
x
x
Minimum 30 day suspension
Oregon
x
x
90 day suspension
Pennsylvania
x
Suspension only after second offense
Rhode Island
x
x
18 month suspension
South Carolina
x
x
3 month suspension
South Dakota
x
x
30 day suspension
Tennessee
x
x
1 year suspension
Texas
x
x
Minimum 90 day suspension
Utah
x
x
Minimum 3 month suspension
Vermont
x
x
90 day suspension
Virginia
x
x
6 month suspension
Washington
x
x
90 day suspension
West Virginia
x
x
60 day suspension
Wisconsin
x
x
6 month suspension
Wyoming
x
x
90 day suspension
Washington DC
x
x
6 month suspension

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