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Virginia driving lesson · Penalties & License Actions

Underage Drinking Penalties

A 2-minute lesson from the Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Penalties & License Actions
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
32, 33

If you're under 21, you can't buy, possess or consume alcohol, and Virginia has a zero tolerance law against underage drinking. The penalties reach your license even for small amounts, and adults who supply alcohol pay too.

Know the rule

Under 21, you cannot purchase, possess or consume alcohol.

Handbook p. 32 ↗

Driving after illegally consuming alcohol, under 21, BAC .02 to under .08:

  • License suspension for one year from the date of conviction, and
  • A minimum mandatory $500 fine, or
  • At least 50 hours of community service
Handbook p. 32 ↗

Know the rule

Under 21 with a BAC of .08 or higher, you may face the same penalties as an adult.

Handbook p. 33 ↗

Providing alcohol to someone under 21, intoxicated, or court-ordered not to drink

Providing alcohol to someone under 21, intoxicated, or court-ordered not to drink
PenaltyAmount
FineUp to $2,500
License suspension (mandatory)Up to one year
Jail12 months
Handbook p. 33 ↗

Using a fake ID to drink or buy alcohol (under 21):

  • Fine of at least $500
  • At least 50 hours of community service
  • Up to 12 months in jail
  • Mandatory license suspension of at least six months, not more than one year
Handbook p. 33 ↗

Know the rule

Virginia has a zero tolerance law against underage drinking.

Handbook p. 33 ↗

Put it into practice

A 19-year-old is stopped with a BAC of .04. That's in the .02-to-.08 range, so the court will suspend the license for one year from conviction and impose a $500 minimum fine or at least 50 hours of community service.

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.

An under-21 driver convicted of illegal consumption with a BAC between .02 and .08 faces what license penalty?
  1. A permanent revocation
  2. A 30-day suspension
  3. A one-year suspension from the date of conviction
  4. No license penalty, only a fine

Answer: A one-year suspension from the date of conviction

The court penalty includes a one-year license suspension from the date of conviction.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
Besides a license suspension, what else must an under-21 driver convicted of illegal consumption face?
  1. A $2,500 fine and up to 12 months in jail
  2. A mandatory five-day jail term
  3. A written warning with no other penalty
  4. A $500+ fine or 50 hours of service

Answer: A $500+ fine or 50 hours of service

The penalty also includes a minimum $500 fine, or the requirement to complete at least 50 hours of community service.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
If an under-21 driver is convicted with a BAC of .08 or higher, how are they penalized?
  1. They may face the same penalties as an adult DUI conviction
  2. They only face the lesser under-21 illegal consumption penalty
  3. They cannot be charged with DUI until age 21
  4. They receive only a fine, with no suspension

Answer: They may face the same penalties as an adult DUI conviction

If BAC is .08 or higher, an under-21 driver may face the same penalties as an adult DUI conviction.

Handbook p. 33 ↗
What penalty applies to an adult who sells or provides alcohol to a person under 21?
  1. Only a warning for a first offense
  2. Up to $2,500, a 1-year suspension, and 12 months jail
  3. A $50 fine with no other consequence
  4. Automatic permanent license revocation

Answer: Up to $2,500, a 1-year suspension, and 12 months jail

Providing alcohol to a minor carries a fine up to $2,500, license suspension up to one year, and up to 12 months in jail.

Handbook p. 33 ↗
What is the minimum fine for an under-21 person using a fake ID to try to buy alcohol?
  1. At least $100
  2. At least $1,000
  3. At least $500
  4. At least $250

Answer: At least $500

Misrepresentation of age with a fake ID carries a fine of at least $500, among other penalties.

Handbook p. 33 ↗
What is the license suspension range for misrepresenting your age to buy alcohol under 21?
  1. Exactly 30 days
  2. Exactly one year
  3. There is no license suspension for this offense
  4. At least six months but not more than one year

Answer: At least six months but not more than one year

Misrepresentation of age carries mandatory suspension of at least six months but not more than one year.

Handbook p. 33 ↗
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