Pennsylvania video lessons · Lesson 5 of 10
Pennsylvania Alcohol and Drugs: five situations explained
All five situations and their answers are below. To watch the lesson, create a free account.
In this video
- 0:00Intro
- 0:16At what BAC is a driver 21 or older considered driving under the influence in Pennsylvania?
- 1:11At what BAC is a driver under 21 considered driving under the influence in Pennsylvania?
- 2:05You are arrested for DUI and refuse a breath test for the first time. What happens to your license?
- 3:10Which penalty table applies to a driver under 21 convicted of DUI with a BAC of .02 or more?
- 4:11What license action follows a second General Impairment DUI?
- 5:13Recap
In short
If you are 21 or older, you are considered to be driving under the influence at a BAC of .08 or higher. If you are under 21, you are considered to be driving under the influence if your BAC is .02 or greater. A first-time refusal brings a one-year suspension, even if you are found not guilty of DUI.
The five situations
Pick an answer first, the way the video pauses for you. Each one cites the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual.
Situation 1
At what BAC is a driver 21 or older considered driving under the influence in Pennsylvania?
Answer: A. .08 or higher. If you are 21 or older, you are considered to be driving under the influence at a BAC of .08 or higher.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual › Chapter 4 › Driving Under The Influence
Situation 2
At what BAC is a driver under 21 considered driving under the influence in Pennsylvania?
Answer: C. .02 or greater. If you are under 21, you are considered to be driving under the influence if your BAC is .02 or greater.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual › Chapter 4 › Driving Under The Influence
Situation 3
You are arrested for DUI and refuse a breath test for the first time. What happens to your license?
Answer: A. It is suspended for one year, even if you are found not guilty. A first-time refusal brings a one-year suspension, even if you are found not guilty of DUI.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual › Chapter 4 › Driving Under The Influence
Situation 4
Which penalty table applies to a driver under 21 convicted of DUI with a BAC of .02 or more?
Answer: C. High Rate. Drivers under 21 convicted of DUI (BAC .02 or higher) are subject to the High Rate penalties, even if their BAC is lower than those levels.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual › Chapter 4 › Driving Under The Influence
Situation 5
What license action follows a second General Impairment DUI?
Answer: A. A 12-month suspension and a 1-year ignition interlock. A second General Impairment offense brings 5 days to 6 months in prison, $300-$2,500, and a 12-month suspension with interlock.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual › Chapter 4 › Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol Or A Controlled Substance › Table 1 — General Impairment
Transcript
0:00Intro
Alcohol and drug questions are about limits, penalties, and how impairment really works. Here are five from the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual. For each one, pick your answer before I reveal it.
0:16Situation 1
You're 21 or older and driving in Pennsylvania. At what BAC is a driver 21 or older considered driving under the influence in Pennsylvania? The answer is A: .08 or higher. If you are 21 or older, you are considered to be driving under the influence at a BAC of .08 or higher. At a BAC of .08 or higher, you're considered to be driving under the influence.
1:11Situation 2
Now picture a driver under 21 in Pennsylvania. At what BAC is a driver under 21 considered driving under the influence in Pennsylvania? The answer is C: .02 or greater. If you are under 21, you are considered to be driving under the influence if your BAC is .02 or greater. Under 21, a BAC of .02 or greater counts as driving under the influence.
2:05Situation 3
A driver arrested for DUI refuses a breath test for the first time. You are arrested for DUI and refuse a breath test for the first time. What happens to your license? The answer is A: It is suspended for one year, even if you are found not guilty. A first-time refusal brings a one-year suspension, even if you are found not guilty of DUI. That's a one-year suspension, even if the driver is later found not guilty of DUI.
3:10Situation 4
Pennsylvania sorts DUI penalties into tables by BAC level. Which penalty table applies to a driver under 21 convicted of DUI with a BAC of .02 or more? The answer is C: High Rate. Drivers under 21 convicted of DUI (BAC .02 or higher) are subject to the High Rate penalties, even if their BAC is lower than those levels. Drivers under 21 convicted of DUI face the High Rate penalties, even if their BAC is lower.
4:11Situation 5
A driver is convicted of a second General Impairment DUI. What license action follows a second General Impairment DUI? The answer is A: A 12-month suspension and a 1-year ignition interlock. A second General Impairment offense brings 5 days to 6 months in prison, $300-$2,500, and a 12-month suspension with interlock. That brings a 12-month suspension with a one-year ignition interlock, plus jail time and fines.
5:13Recap
If you are 21 or older, you are considered to be driving under the influence at a BAC of .08 or higher. If you are under 21, you are considered to be driving under the influence if your BAC is .02 or greater. A first-time refusal brings a one-year suspension, even if you are found not guilty of DUI. Drivers under 21 convicted of DUI (BAC .02 or higher) are subject to the High Rate penalties, even if their BAC is lower than those levels. A second General Impairment offense brings 5 days to 6 months in prison, $300-$2,500, and a 12-month suspension with interlock. Nice work. Try more alcohol and drug questions in Practice by Topic, then test yourself with a full mock exam.
The rules in this lesson
- If you are 21 or older, you are considered to be driving under the influence at a BAC of .08 or higher.
- If you are under 21, you are considered to be driving under the influence if your BAC is .02 or greater.
- A first-time refusal brings a one-year suspension, even if you are found not guilty of DUI.
- Drivers under 21 convicted of DUI (BAC .02 or higher) are subject to the High Rate penalties, even if their BAC is lower than those levels.
- A second General Impairment offense brings 5 days to 6 months in prison, $300-$2,500, and a 12-month suspension with interlock.
Original practice lesson written from the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual. EstatePass is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Pennsylvania PennDOT; these are not official test questions.