Legal Limit


Definition of Legal Limit

The legal limit refers to the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level above which an individual operating a vehicle can be convicted on drunk driving charges. Although the legal limit in all 50. states is a BAC of 0.08%, some states have set multiple legal limits for different levels of DUI charges.



Legal Limit Explained

The laws regarding driving under the influence (DUI/DWI) in most jurisdictions are stated on the basis of exact blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels. The BAC threshold level above which an individual is convicted of driving while drunk in a jurisdiction is generally referred to as the legal limit. In California, for example, the legal limit for commercial drivers is a BAC level of 0.04%, while for underage drivers (under 21 years), it's a BAC of 0.01%.