2009 New DUI Laws

2009 New DUI Laws

California - Assembly Bill 1165 - DUI Zero Tolerance Law For Repeat Offenders

Makes it unlawful for a person who is on probation for a violation of either of certain driving under-the-influence offenses to operate a motor vehicle at any time with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.01% or greater, as measured by a preliminary alcohol screening test or other chemical test. Imposes additional sanctions on person found to violate this prohibition. Removes obsolete references in existing law related to license revocation for refusing or failing to complete a preliminary screening test.

California - Senate Bill 1190 - DUI Ignition Interlock Devices

Lowers the minimum blood alcohol percentage at the time of a DUI arrest that allows a court to require the person to install a certified ignition interlock device on any vehicle that the persons owns or operates and prohibits that person from operating a vehicle without such a device. Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to undertake a study regarding the overall effectiveness of the use of such devices to reduce recidivism of first time DUI violators.

California - Senate Bill 1388 - DUI Ignition Interlock Devices (Effective July, 2009)

Requires a person to immediately install a certified ignition interlock device on all vehicles they own or operate for a certain period when they have been convicted of violating DUI provisions and driving a motor vehicle when their license has been suspended or revoked as a result of a DUI-related conviction. Provides the number of violations will determine the period of time the device will be required. Sets a scheme with which a person will be informed of the installment requirements and related fees.

California - Assembly Bill 2802 - DUI Reckless Driving

Requires a court to order a person convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving to participate in a licensed program that consists of specified activities, including education, group counseling, and individual interview sessions, if that person has a prior conviction of a violation of the alcohol-related reckless driving law or another specified DUI law and the prior convicted offense occurred within 10 years. Requires probation revocation for failure to enroll, participate in, or complete the program.

For other changes to California Driving Laws please visit the NCSL Website.


Drunk Driving Laws in California

While Driving in the State of California it is illegal to :
Drivers under 21 may not have beer, wine or liquor in their vehicle while they are driving alone. (Their may be exceptions for work related driving)
Drivers under 21 with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of .01 or higher.
Drivers Under 21 after consuming alcohol in any form, including cough syrup, and prescription drugs.
Any driver with a BAC .08 or higher.
Any vehicle requiring a commercial driver license with a BAC of .04 percent or higher
Driver under 18, ANY measurable blood alcohol concentration.
Repeat offenders may not have a BAC of .01 or Greater

As you can read above, in the State of California has strict drunk driving laws for drivers under the age of 21 and repeat offenders (.01%) and a "no tolerance" law for drivers under the age of 18. In addition a driver of a commercial vehicle is only allowed to have a .04% BAC.

Drunk driving laws in The State of California are similar to many other DUI laws across the United States. California's DUI law prohibits a person from driving when they have a concentration of .08 percent or more alcohol in their blood system. This is the standard measurement use by all states for the "impaired" driver.