Illinois DMV Permit Test Alcohol and Drug Laws Summary

A driver 21 or older with a BAC of 0.08% or more is legally under the influence. You can also be charged with DUI at a lower BAC if alcohol or drugs affect your driving.

Wrong choices

• 0.02% or more: 0.02% is not the adult limit.
• 0.05% or more: 0.05% is not the Illinois adult limit.
• 0.10% or more: 0.10% is higher than the Illinois limit.

Illinois has zero tolerance for drivers under 21. If a driver under 21 has any trace of alcohol, they lose their driving privileges.

Wrong choices

• Nothing, if the BAC is below 0.08%: 0.08% is the adult limit. For drivers under 21, any amount is too much.
• They get a warning only: The law takes away driving privileges, not just a warning.
• They must pay a small parking fine: This is not a parking matter.

Only time lowers your BAC. Your body removes alcohol slowly, and nothing speeds it up.

Wrong choices

• Coffee: Coffee may make you feel more awake, but it does not lower your BAC.
• A cold shower: A cold shower does not remove alcohol.
• Fresh air: Fresh air does not remove alcohol.

Alcohol slows your reactions and weakens your judgment, vision, and coordination, even after one drink.

Wrong choices

• It makes your reactions faster: Alcohol slows reactions. It never speeds them up.
• It improves your night vision: Alcohol makes vision worse, especially at night.
• It has no effect below the legal limit: Alcohol can affect your driving even below the legal limit.

Under implied consent, by driving on Illinois roads you are considered to have agreed to chemical testing (breath, blood, or urine) if you are arrested for DUI. Refusing the test leads to a license suspension.

Wrong choices

• You must agree to a vehicle search at any time: The law is about DUI testing, not vehicle searches.
• You agree to pay any fine without going to court: Implied consent has nothing to do with paying fines.
• Police must ask your permission before giving a test: You have already given consent by driving. Refusing brings a suspension.

For an adult first offender, refusing the test brings a 12-month suspension. Failing the test (BAC of 0.08% or more) brings a 6-month suspension. Refusing costs you more.

Wrong choices

• 3 months: 3 months is the zero tolerance penalty for a driver under 21 who fails the test the first time.
• 6 months: 6 months is the penalty for failing the test, not refusing it.
• 24 months: 24 months is longer than the first-offender rule.

For an adult first offender, failing the chemical test brings a 6-month suspension. Refusing the test brings a 12-month suspension.

Wrong choices

• 1 month: 1 month is too short.
• 3 months: 3 months is not the adult first-offender rule.
• 12 months: 12 months is the penalty for refusing the test.

You can be charged with DUI for driving while impaired by any drug, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines and cannabis. A prescription does not make impaired driving legal. Read medicine labels and ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Wrong choices

• Some prescription medicines can make driving unsafe: This is true. Some prescription medicines can make driving unsafe.
• Some over-the-counter medicines, such as cold or allergy pills, can cause drowsiness: This is true. Many cold and allergy medicines cause drowsiness.
• Cannabis can impair your driving: This is true. Cannabis can slow reactions and affect judgment.

A statutory summary suspension takes effect on the 46th day after the notice is given. It does not wait for a court conviction.

Wrong choices

• Right away, on the day of arrest: It does not start on the day of arrest.
• After 1 year: 1 year is far too long.
• Only after a court conviction: The summary suspension is separate from the criminal case and does not wait for a conviction.

A 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor each hold about the same amount of alcohol. Beer is not safer than liquor.

Wrong choices

• Sugar: Sugar amounts are very different among these drinks.
• Water: The water amounts are very different. The beer has much more liquid.
• Calories: Calories vary. The point is that the alcohol is about the same.