roadwise.Open study app

Arizona driving lesson · Impaired Driving, Points & Penalties

DUI: implied consent, BAC limits & penalties

A 3-minute lesson from the Arizona course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Impaired Driving, Points & Penalties
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
65, 66

In Arizona it is unlawful to drive — or even be in actual physical control of a vehicle — while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, medications or illegal drugs. By driving, you've already agreed to be tested if arrested.

Implied Consent Law

By accepting the privilege to drive in Arizona, you consent to testing of your blood, breath, urine or other bodily substance for alcohol or drugs if arrested for DUI.

Handbook p. 65 ↗

BAC limits

BAC limits
DriverLimit
Driver 21 or older0.08
Commercial vehicle requiring a CDL0.04
Under 21Any alcohol concentration
Handbook p. 65 ↗

Know the rule

Test at 0.08 or more (0.04 in a CDL vehicle) when stopped for DUI and you lose your driving privilege on the spot.

Handbook p. 65 ↗

Know the rule

You may be found guilty of driving while intoxicated even with a BAC under 0.08. If you're under 21, your license may be suspended for any alcohol concentration.

Handbook p. 65 ↗

Refusing or not completing a DUI chemical test

Refusing or not completing a DUI chemical test
RefusalLicense loss
First12 months
Second within 84 months24 months
Handbook p. 65 ↗

Know the rule

For a second or third DUI offense, your driving privilege is automatically revoked in addition to court penalties.

Handbook p. 65 ↗

Standard DUI penalties

Standard DUI penalties
OffenseMinimum jailMinimum fineLicense
First10 consecutive days$1,250Suspended at least 90 days
Second/subsequent90 days$3,000Revoked 12 months
Handbook p. 66 ↗

Every DUI conviction also brings:

  • Alcohol screening, education or treatment
  • Community service
  • A possible Certified Ignition Interlock Device on any vehicle you operate
Handbook p. 66 ↗

Put it into practice

You're pulled over after two drinks and blow 0.07. You can still be arrested and convicted of DUI if you're impaired — being under 0.08 isn't a safe harbor.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a driver age 21 or older in a regular vehicle?
  1. 0.10%
  2. 0.15%
  3. 0.08%
  4. 0.04%

Answer: 0.08%

The legal BAC limit for adult drivers of regular vehicles is 0.08%.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
What is the legal BAC limit for a driver operating a commercial vehicle requiring a CDL?
  1. 0.10%
  2. 0.04%
  3. 0.08%
  4. 0.02%

Answer: 0.04%

Commercial drivers face a stricter limit of 0.04%, half the standard adult limit.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
What happens immediately if you are stopped for DUI and test at 0.08% BAC or higher?
  1. You lose your driving privilege on the spot
  2. You receive only a written warning
  3. You are released with no immediate penalty
  4. You must retake the written test within 30 days

Answer: You lose your driving privilege on the spot

A BAC of 0.08% or more (0.04% commercial) results in losing your driving privilege on the spot.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
If you refuse a chemical test for the first time when arrested for DUI, what happens to your driving privilege?
  1. A 90-day suspension
  2. A 30-day suspension
  3. Automatic loss for 24 months
  4. Automatic loss for 12 months

Answer: Automatic loss for 12 months

Refusing or not completing the test means automatic loss of your driving privilege for 12 months (24 months for a second refusal within 84 months).

Handbook p. 65 ↗
For a FIRST DUI offense, what is the minimum jail time described in the handbook?
  1. 30 days
  2. 1 day
  3. 10 consecutive days
  4. 90 days

Answer: 10 consecutive days

A first DUI offense carries a minimum of 10 consecutive days in jail.

Handbook p. 66 ↗
The legal BAC limit for a driver in a commercial vehicle is 0.08%, the same as for a regular adult driver.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

False. The limit is 0.04 in a commercial vehicle requiring a CDL, half the 0.08 limit for regular adult drivers.

Handbook p. 65 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Impaired Driving, Points & Penalties

All Arizona lessons