Missouri law requires everyone to submit to breath, blood or urine tests if they are arrested on reasonable suspicion of DWI. You also have the right to refuse these chemical tests.
As a general rule, one standard drink will increase your BAC to approximately 0.08%. But your BAC level will vary depending on many factors, including body size, sex and what you have eaten. Learn more about Missouri Legal Limit for Alcohol.
BAC Limits for Individuals
The average person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is 0.08%, but that number can vary. A person’s height, age, and body weight can impact their BAC. The amount of time it takes for the body to absorb the first drink can also change the BAC.
Missouri has a “zero tolerance” law for drivers under 21, meaning they can be charged with drunk driving when their BAC is above 0.02%. The state has specific laws regarding how many drinks it takes to reach this threshold, but even just one drink can put someone over the limit.
It is also illegal to be in the driver’s seat of a car and appear visibly intoxicated. This is a misdemeanor punishable by a jail sentence of up to one year, fines, and driver’s license suspension for 90 days. Having this type of conviction on your record can damage your professional life. It can make it harder to get a job, and it may affect your housing and credit.
BAC Limits for Commercial Drivers
Many people may be surprised to learn that there is not only a different BAC limit for truck drivers, but also a lower BAC limit for those under 21. These differences are the result of federal regulations on alcohol consumption for commercial drivers, as well as state and local laws that regulate how much a person can consume before driving.
The general rule of thumb is that two standard drinks consumed in the first hour will increase a driver’s BAC to about 0.08%. However, this can vary greatly depending on the individual’s weight, sex, and personal metabolic rate.
Anyone with a CDL who gets arrested for DUI in Missouri will face harsher penalties than if they were driving an ordinary passenger vehicle. A conviction can cost you your job and your CDL. At the Law Offices of Denise Kirby, we understand how important your career is to you and we will work hard to help you keep it.
BAC Limits for Drivers Under 21
The BAC limit for drivers under 21 is much lower than the standard for adults. This is because children are far more likely to be involved in a car accident than adults. Several US states, including Missouri, have adopted a zero tolerance policy for underage DUIs.
The general rule of thumb is that 2 standard drinks consumed within the first hour will raise a driver’s BAC to about.05%. However, this is not a hard and fast rule as individual factors such as body weight, sex and personal metabolic rate will impact the BAC level of each driver.
A person who is caught driving while under the influence of alcohol will have to face varying criminal penalties depending on their BAC levels and prior convictions. They may also have to install an interlock ignition device or complete substance abuse treatment programs. In addition, they will have to pay fines and could be subjected to license suspension or revocation.
BAC Limits for Drivers in Missouri
In Missouri, any driver over 21 can legally have a blood alcohol content of 0.08. However, it is important to know that BAC levels can vary from person to person. Many factors, including body size, hydration, dietary habits and metabolic rate can influence how much you drink and when you reach a BAC level at which it becomes legal to drive.
For most people, two or three drinks can result in a BAC of 0.08 or higher. A person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle will decline as their BAC rises.
Missouri’s DUI laws also prohibit anyone who is under 21 from driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher. This is known as the state’s zero tolerance policy.
When you are pulled over in Missouri, you must provide a breath or urine sample to determine your BAC. It is illegal to refuse these tests and refusal could lead to your license being suspended. The penalties for drunk driving in the state of Missouri depend on your BAC and whether this is your first or a subsequent conviction.
