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Alcohol and Drug Limits
- 1/15Legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) threshold for adult drivers
South Carolina defines 0.08% as the threshold for adult drivers. If your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) meets or exceeds this, you are considered legally impaired under Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws.
Alcohol tolerance level for drivers under 21
South Carolina has a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking. Anyone under 21 with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.02% or higher can face license suspension and fines.
Consequence for refusing a breath test
Under the Implied Consent Law, refusal to take a breath, blood, or urine test results in automatic suspension of your driving privileges even without conviction.
Reinstatement requirement after Driving Under the Influence (DUI) license suspension
Drivers convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) must complete the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP) before regaining their license. It’s mandatory regardless of offense level.
If you consume a little amount of alcohol before driving
Driving under the influence of any drug, including prescription or over the counter medications, is illegal if it affects your ability to drive safely.
First time Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offense consequences
A first Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction may lead to up to 30 days in jail, hundreds of dollars in fines, and suspension of your drivers license for six months.
If you consume alcohol and drive drunk
Even small amounts of alcohol reduce reaction time and coordination. Judgment errors become more frequent before the driver feels noticeably impaired.
Combination of alcohol and drugs
Mixing alcohol with other drugs significantly increases impairment. Many fatal crashes involve drivers under the influence of both substances.
Long term impact of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction
A Driving Under the Influence (DUI) stays on your record for years, impacting insurance premiums, job opportunities, and travel. It is a serious criminal offense with lasting consequences.
Required Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level for Commercial Drivers License (CDL) drivers
Commercial drivers are held to stricter standards. A Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of just 0.04% can result in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges, even while driving a personal vehicle.
Field sobriety tests before breath test are used to
Before using a breathalyzer, officers may ask you to walk in a line, stand on one foot, or follow an object with your eyes to check for signs of impairment.
License penalty for second Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offense
A second Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction brings harsher penalties. The license suspension increases, and you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device.
Alcohol influence begins at a level as low as
At 0.02% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), you may feel more relaxed, but your ability to track moving objects and react quickly starts to decline significantly.
Use of ignition interlock devices
After certain Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions, South Carolina requires you to install an ignition interlock system that blocks engine start when alcohol is detected.
The purpose of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws are designed to protect everyone on the road. Impaired drivers cause thousands of preventable deaths and injuries annually.