The permissible blood alcohol content in Georgia is 0.08% (80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood). It takes one to two standard-size alcoholic beverages to reach the 0.08% restriction, considering a person’s gender, weight, and other factors.
It’s against the law to exceed the BAC threshold. The Georgia government has enacted DUI laws and regulations to stop driving under the influence (DUI) in the state.
Please remember that this piece aims to educate readers on Georgia’s DUI laws. This page does not encourage drunk driving in any state or community.
Statistics from 2019 show that there were 353 alcohol-impaired fatalities in Georgia. The government of Georgia is doing its best to combat drunk driving.
Being aware of Georgia’s legal BAC limit before driving is essential. If you must drive after drinking, you might instead think about finding a designated driver or calling a cab.
To stay informed on Georgia’s DUI driving laws, visit the state’s official website.
Legal Alcohol Limit When Driving in Georgia
The government of Georgia enforces DUI laws to reduce injuries and fatalities caused by intoxicated driving.
In Georgia, a person whose blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or more may be arrested for DUI.
Blood alcohol levels might vary from person to person since alcohol has varied effects on men and women. For some people, even a tiny amount of alcohol might cause disorientation.
The following factors play a role in a person’s BAC:
- weight
- gender
- level of exhaustion
- alcohol intake
To establish how much alcohol you can have before hitting the road, use a BAC calculator or chart. However, because every person’s response to alcohol is unique, these tools might not be suitable for everyone.
A certified alcohol breathalyzer is the most accurate tool to assess your BAC.
Punishments for Drinking and Driving in Georgia
Each state has its laws prohibiting drunk driving. Before getting behind the wheel, it’s critical to monitor your blood alcohol level to avoid penalties.
There could be administrative and legal repercussions if you are proven guilty of DUI in Georgia.
The DUI rules and punishments in Georgia are described in the sections below.
Implied Consent
Any person operating a motor vehicle in Georgia is deemed to have implicitly agreed to submit to a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test. If a driver declines to comply with a chemical test, their license will be suspended due to the denial.
- First offense: One-year suspension. After 30 days and successful completion of a DUI education course, the driver may be allowed to reapply.
- Second offense: Three-year suspension. After 18 months and completing a DUI education course, the driver may reapply.
- Third offense: Five-year license suspension. After two years and completing a DUI education course, the motorist may be granted a probationary license.
DUI Probation
All DUI violators will be placed on probation for 12 months minus the amount of time served in jail. An individual convicted of DUI must complete jail time for the following duration:
- First offense: 24 hours
- Second offense: 72 hours
- Third offense: 15 days
Community Service
You must also complete a set number of hours of community service. The following sentence lengths apply depending on how many offenses were committed:
- First offense: At least 20 hours (40 hours if BAC was 0.08% or more)
- Second offense: At least 30 days
- Third offense: At least 30 days
Jail Time
The following imprisonment duration applies for DUI offenders in Georgia:
- First offense: 10 days to 12 months
- Second offense: 90 days to 12 months
- Third offense: 120 days to 12 months
License Suspension
The suspension duration for a first, second, and third DUI is as follows:
- First offense: 12-month suspension
- Second offense: Three-year suspension
- Third offense: Permanent revocation, but after three years, the motorist may apply for a probationary license.
Fines
DUI offenders will also have to pay fines as follows:
- First offense: $300 to $1,000
- Second offense: $600 to $1,000
- Third offense: $1,000 to $5,000
Drug and Alcohol Counseling
You must also participate in a clinical assessment for drug or alcohol dependency. You will be ordered to complete the prescribed counseling sessions if the clinical evaluator finds that you require medical attention.
When Can You Drink and Drive in Georgia?
There are a variety of effects of alcohol on people. Gender is one of the factors that affect one’s BAC.
ADH also referred to as alcohol dehydrogenase, is more common in men than in women. Because their primary function is to aid in alcohol absorption, these enzymes play a part in men’s quick alcohol metabolism. Men, therefore, metabolize alcohol more quickly than women.
Use the information below to understand how much alcohol you can consume before driving in Georgia. However, due to variations in how each person metabolizes alcohol, the recommended amount of alcohol may not apply to everyone.
How Many Beer Bottles Can You Drink and Drive in Georgia?
BAC charts consider a person’s weight and the liquor quantity consumed. These figures show that lighter people commonly have greater blood alcohol concentrations after taking alcohol.
After consuming a 12-ounce (350 ml) beer, an adult male weighing around 72 kg (160 lbs) may have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02%.
However, a woman of the same weight who drinks the same amount of beer may have a BAC of 0.03%.
Thus, one to two beer bottles are adequate for keeping a blood alcohol content below Georgia’s legal limit.
How Much Wine Can You Consume and Drive in Georgia?
A typical wine glass (142 ml/5 oz) contains 12% alcohol. Similar to the previous example, a man who weighs around 72 kg (160 lbs) may achieve a BAC of 0.02% after drinking a glass of wine.
On the other hand, a woman with the same weight and wine consumption can have a BAC of 0.03%.
Hence, all it takes to reach Georgia’s legal BAC threshold is two glasses of wine.
How Much Whiskey or Vodka Can You Consume and Drive in Georgia?
A 44 ml (1.5 oz) shot of whiskey or vodka can contain up to 40% ABV. Due to their high alcohol concentration, drinking distilled spirits are tricky for drivers.
You can achieve the legal BAC level in Georgia with one or two shots of distilled alcohol, such as whiskey or vodka.
Obeying Impaired Driving Laws in Georgia
Every driver needs to be aware of the dangers of drunk driving.
The best course of action is to abstain from driving after drinking alcohol. It’s hard to anticipate your blood alcohol content or whether you can drive after having even a few drinks.
The only accurate way to establish your BAC level is to use an alcohol breathalyzer because everyone processes alcohol differently.
There are several kinds of transportation accessible you can consider if you’re intoxicated. You can use Uber, call a cab, or ask a buddy to drive you.
If you can’t avoid driving, use a certified alcohol breathalyzer to check if your BAC is below Georgia’s legal limit.
It’s also best to consult the state’s official website to become familiar with Georgia’s DUI driving regulations.
