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0.08% BAC Legal limit

For information only — not legal or medical advice. Always check current government guidance.

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Is the legal BAC limit the same in every US state?

Almost. 49 states and Washington, D.C. set the limit at 0.08% BAC — you are DUI per se at or above that level. Utah is the strictest at 0.05%, the lowest in the nation. Three rules apply everywhere, whatever the state:

  • Commercial drivers (CDL): 0.04% BAC, set federally by the FMCSA.
  • Drivers under 21: zero tolerance — any measurable alcohol, usually 0.01–0.02%, is an offense.
  • High-BAC / aggravated DUI: many states add tougher penalties at around 0.15% BAC.

Fines, jail, license suspension and ignition-interlock rules vary widely by state. See our state guides for California, Texas, Florida, New York and Utah.

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Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) & Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

How fast does your body get rid of alcohol?

The body eliminates alcohol at a remarkably steady rate of about 0.015% BAC per hour — roughly one standard drink per hour. This is set by how quickly your liver metabolizes alcohol and, according to the NIAAA and NHTSA, it cannot be sped up by coffee, water, food, exercise or a cold shower.

In practice, someone at the 0.08% legal limit needs about 5–6 hours to return to 0.00%, and a person at 0.15% needs roughly 10 hours. Individual rates vary a little (about 0.012–0.020% per hour) with body weight, sex, food and liver health, but no trick makes alcohol leave your system faster — only time does.

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Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) & National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Breathalyzer units of measurement

In the United States, Breathalyzer measurement units are typically expressed as Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), which represents the amount of alcohol in a person's bloodstream. The most common unit used is:


Grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood (g/100 mL)

This is equivalent to percentage BAC, where a BAC of 0.08 means there are 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood (or 0.08%).

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Source: BACtrack - bactrack.com/pages/breath-alcohol-units-of-measurement

What is the margin of error for breathalyzers?

In the United States, breathalyzer devices are not 100% accurate and are allowed a certain error margin or tolerance range. The specific error margin can vary depending on the state, the type of device, and whether the test is being used for evidentiary purposes (e.g., in court) or as a preliminary roadside screening. But most breathalyzers used by law enforcement are required to have an accuracy of ±0.005 g/210L or ±0.01 g/210L at the legal limit (0.08% BAC).

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Source: duicentral.com/blog/2006/june/breathalyzers-40-margin-of-error-is-acceptable-a/

What are the most popular breathalyzers in the US?

The most popular breathalyzer in the U.S. appears to be the BACtrack S80 Professional Breathalyzer, which is widely regarded for its police-grade accuracy and reliability. It employs advanced fuel cell sensor technology, making it a top choice for law enforcement, health professionals, and personal use by those who require dependable BAC results.

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Source: bactrack.com/products/bactrack-s80-pro-breathalyzer

What is a standard drink in the US?

According to the WHO, a standard alcohol unit (SAV) contains 8g or 10ml (1cl) of pure alcohol. It can be calculated as: alcohol volume (ml) x strength (%) x density (≈0.8g/l) / 10g. For example, 500ml of 5% beer equals 2 SAVs, 750ml of 12% wine equals 7 SAVs, and 500ml of 40% spirits equals 16 SAVs.

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Source: drinkaware.co.uk

What are typical alcohol sales hours in the US?

Alcohol sales hours in the United States are regulated at the state—and often local—level, leading to significant variation across the country. Below is a general overview of alcohol sales times in several key states:

  • California: Alcohol can be sold at retail stores from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Bars and restaurants may serve alcohol during the same hours.
  • Texas: Retail alcohol sales are permitted from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday. On Sundays, sales begin at 10 a.m. in stores and noon in bars and restaurants, ending at midnight or 2 a.m. depending on local ordinances.
  • New York: Alcohol may be sold in stores from 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Bars and restaurants can serve alcohol from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m.
  • Florida: Alcohol sales are generally allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight, but some counties and cities permit sales until 2 a.m. or later. Sunday sales may have restricted hours.
  • Illinois: Most areas allow alcohol sales from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., with some cities (like Chicago) permitting sales until 3 a.m. or later. Sunday hours may be more limited.
  • Georgia: Alcohol sales hours vary widely by county. Many areas allow sales from 7 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday, while Sunday sales may start as late as 12:30 p.m.
  • Pennsylvania: State-run stores typically operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Bars can serve alcohol until 2 a.m.
  • Massachusetts: Retail alcohol sales are allowed from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. Bars may serve until 2 a.m.
  • Ohio: Alcohol can be sold in stores from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Bars and restaurants may serve until 2:30 a.m.
  • Louisiana: Sales hours vary by parish, but many areas allow 24-hour sales. New Orleans, for example, permits alcohol sales around the clock.
  • Washington: Beer, wine, and spirits can be sold in grocery and retail stores from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily (spirits have been sold in ordinary stores since the 2012 privatization of liquor sales). Bars and restaurants may serve until 2 a.m.

Note: Local ordinances may further restrict or extend these hours. Holidays and special events can also impact when alcohol can be sold or served. Always check local laws for the most accurate information.

Related questions

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) – State Profiles of Underage Drinking Laws.

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