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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 11Ch. 12Art. 2§ 23152 Driving Under Alcohol Influence

§ 23152 Driving Under Alcohol Influence

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 23152 Driving Under Alcohol Influence

This law makes it illegal to drive a car if you are drunk, have too much alcohol in your blood, or are high on drugs, and it sets different limits for regular cars, commercial trucks, and when you have a paying passenger.

Key Takeaways

  • •You cannot drive if you are under the influence of alcohol or any drug.
  • •Having a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher is illegal for regular drivers.
  • •Commercial truck drivers and drivers with a paying passenger must stay below 0.04% blood alcohol.
  • •Being addicted to drugs is illegal to drive, unless you are in an approved treatment program.
  • •It is also illegal to drive when you are under the combined effect of alcohol and drugs.

Example

A person goes to a bar, drinks three beers, then gets behind the wheel to drive home.

If a police officer stops them and a breath test shows a blood alcohol level of 0.09%, the law says they are breaking the rule that you cannot drive with 0.08% or more alcohol in your blood.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 23152 Driving Under Alcohol Influence

(a) It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage to drive a vehicle. (b) It is unlawful for a person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle. For purposes of this article and Section 34501.16, percent, by weight, of alcohol in a person’s blood is based upon grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. In any prosecution under this subdivision, it is a rebuttable presumption that the person had 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of driving the vehicle if the person had 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of the performance of a chemical test within three hours after the driving. (c) It is unlawful for a person who is addicted to the use of any drug to drive a vehicle. This subdivision shall not apply to a person who is participating in a narcotic treatment program approved pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11875) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (d) It is unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section 15210. In a prosecution under this subdivision, it is a rebuttable presumption that the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of driving the vehicle if the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of the performance of a chemical test within three hours after the driving. (e) Commencing July 1, 2018, it shall be unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a motor vehicle when a passenger for hire is a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the offense. For purposes of this subdivision, “passenger for hire” means a passenger for whom consideration is contributed or expected as a condition of carriage in the vehicle, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vehicle. In a prosecution under this subdivision, it is a rebuttable presumption that the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of driving the vehicle if the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of the performance of a chemical test within three hours after the driving. (f) It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to drive a vehicle. (g) It is unlawful for a person who is under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug to drive a vehicle. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 765, Sec. 1. (AB 2687) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

under the influence of any alcoholic beverage0.0

Related Statutes

  • § 23152.5 Impaired Driving Research Exception
  • § 23153 Dui Causing Bodily Injury
  • § 23154 Dui Probation Alcohol Limit
  • § 23155 Cannabis Dui Conviction Reporting
  • § 23158 Blood Withdrawal For Alcohol Testing

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 23152.
View Official Source