California · Vehicle Code

VEH §23152: (a) It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage to drive a vehicle.

MisdemeanorDUI / TrafficCalifornia DUI - first offense

What this law says, in plain English

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is unlawful. Specific BAC thresholds apply: 0.08% for regular drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers and rideshare operators.

Subsections

VEH §23152(a) — Driving under the influence of alcohol

Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol is an offense that can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor depending on circumstances and prior record.

VEH §23152(b) — Driving with BAC of 0.08% or more

Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher is prohibited. This violation is classified as a gross misdemeanor offense.

Read the full statutory text

(a) It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage to drive a vehicle. (b) It is unlawful for a person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle. For purposes of this article and Section 34501.16, percent, by weight, of alcohol in a person’s blood is based upon grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. In any prosecution under this subdivision, it is a rebuttable presumption that the person had 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of driving the vehicle if the person had 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of the performance of a chemical test within three hours after the driving. (c) It is unlawful for a person who is addicted to the use of any drug to drive a vehicle. This subdivision shall not apply to a person who is participating in a narcotic treatment program approved pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11875) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (d) It is unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section 15210. In a prosecution under this subdivision, it is a rebuttable presumption that the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of driving the vehicle if the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of the performance of a chemical test within three hours after the driving. (e) Commencing July 1, 2018, it shall be unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a motor vehicle when a passenger for hire is a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the offense. For purposes of this subdivision, “passenger for hire” means a passenger for whom consideration is contributed or expected as a condition of carriage in the vehicle, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vehicle. In a prosecution under this subdivision, it is a rebuttable presumption that the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of driving the vehicle if the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of the performance of a chemical test within three hours after the driving. (f) It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to drive a vehicle. (g) It is unlawful for a person who is under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug to drive a vehicle.

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