New Jersey driving lesson · Driver Privileges and Penalties
DUI: first offenses and underage drinking
A 3-minute lesson from the New Jersey course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
A drunk-driving conviction in New Jersey brings a stack of penalties: fines, fees, detention at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, possible jail and a three-year surcharge. Drivers under 21 face penalties at a far lower BAC.
Know the rule
You can be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) with a BAC of 0.08% or higher, or while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
A person under 21 who buys or drinks alcohol where alcohol is licensed may be fined $500 and lose his or her license for a time. With no license yet, the suspension starts when first eligible; an alcohol education or treatment program may also be required.
A 19-year-old driver blows 0.03%. That's legal for an adult but over the 0.01% limit for under-21 drivers: 30 to 90 days' suspension, 15 to 30 days of community service, and an IDRC or alcohol education program.
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 fine range for a first DUI offense with a BAC of 0.08% but less than 0.10%?
$100 to $200
$250 to $400
$500 to $1,000
$50 to $100
Answer: $250 to $400
A first offense with a BAC of 0.08% to 0.10% carries a fine of $250 to $400.