Most people are aware that the legal limit is 0.08%. If they take a breath test after they've been driving, exceeding this legal limit means they're going to be arrested. They will face DUI charges and the court will presume that they were impaired because of the reading from the breath test. 

However, there are some misconceptions about the legal limit. For one thing, it doesn't apply to everyone. The limit that a driver faces can actually change based on a few different factors, including their occupation and their age.

Young drivers

Like most other states, California uses zero-tolerance laws. If a driver is under 21 years old, they could face arrest if their BAC is just 0.01%. This is also true for those on DUI probation. In both situations, the person should not have been drinking at all and should have had a 0.00% BAC. The presence of alcohol in their system is taken more seriously, even though 0.01% is so low that they may not even feel it at all.

Professional drivers

Next, commercial drivers have a BAC limit of 0.04%. This applies to semi-truck drivers, delivery drivers and the like. In California, it also applies to those who are “driving a passenger for hire.” So if someone uses their vehicle for transportation services – like Uber or Lyft – then it may be easier for them to get a DUI.

For any driver who is facing charges, there can be severe ramifications, especially if the DUI will affect that person‘s career. They must know about all of their DUI criminal defense options.

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