Legal BAC Limit in Ohio

Did you blow over Ohio's legal limit? Call the Columbus DUI attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates Now: (614) 500-3836. 100% free and confidential consults & 24/7 availability.

ATTENTION

Arrested, Charged, or Ticketed in Central Ohio? Your defense starts here. Call LHA Today.

(614) 500-3836

Free consultation with an experienced DUI attorney. Available 24/7.

What is the Legal Limit in Ohio?

If you are arrested or charged with a DUI/OVI in Columbus, you will be asked to submit to a chemical test in the form of either a breath, blood, or urine test to assess your blood alcohol content (BAC).

The legal limit for DUI in Ohio is 0.08, and if you test over that, you will be charged with OVI. If you test over 0.17 BAC, this is a higher category, and it subjects you to additional mandatory DUI penalties. Regardless of your BAC, anytime you are charged with an OVI you should consult a Columbus DUI lawyer to discuss the circumstances, your options, and how you can resolve the situation favorably.

If you blew over the legal limit and are facing OVI charges anywhere in or around Franklin County, Ohio, reach out to Luftman, Heck & Associates 24/7. Call or text us at (614) 500-3836 to set up a free consultation. We know this is a confusing process, but we are here to help.

What Was Your BAC?

Please review the charts below for more information about Ohio’s legal limit and what it means for your case. Questions? Call (614) 500-3836.

BAC Levels in Ohio

Alcohol Level	Whole Blood	Blood Serum or Plasma	Breath	Urine
Low Test	≥ .08% < .17%	≥ .096% < .204%	≥ .08g < .17g	≥ .11g < .238g
High Test	≥ .17%	≥ .204%	≥ .17g	≥ .238g

Contact LHA 24/7 after a DUI/OVI in Central Ohio

Let us review your BAC test rest and find a way to help.

Call today for a free consultation of your options. There is always a way to improve your OVI case. Call (614) 500-3836 or email advice@columbuscriminalattorney.com.

Underage BAC Levels

Whole Blood	Blood Serum or Plasma	Breath	Urine
≥ .02% < .08%	≥ .03% < .096%	≥ .02g < .08g	≥ .028g < .11g

Impaired Driving Involving Drugs

Controlled Substance	Urine	Whole Blood, Blood Serum or Plasma
Amphetamine	≥ 500ng	≥ 100ng
Cocaine	≥ 150ng	≥ 50ng
Cocaine Metabolite	≥ 150ng	≥ 50ng
Heroin	≥ 2000ng	≥ 50ng
Heroin Metabolite	≥ 10ng	≥ 10ng
LSD	≥ 25ng	≥ 10ng
Marijuana	≥ 10ng	≥ 2ng
Marijuana Metabolite and under the influence	≥ 15ng	≥ 5ng
Marijuana Metabolite	≥ 35ng	≥ 50ng
Methamphetamine	≥ 500ng	≥ 100ng

BAC Levels for Men & Women

The following tables were developed to illustrate a person’s potential BAC based on the type of, volume and number of drinks consumed and person’s bodyweight. They are only an approximation. They are not exact.

BAC Table for Men

	Body Weight in Pounds
Drinks	100	120	140	160	180	200	220	240	Condition
0	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	Only Safe Driving Limit
1	.04	.03	.03	.02	.02	.02	.02	.02	Driving Skills Significantly Affected Possible Criminal Penalties
2	.08	.06	.05	.05	.04	.04	.03	.03
3	.11	.09	.08	.07	.06	.06	.05	.05
4	.15	.12	.11	.09	.08	.08	.07	.06
5	.19	.16	.13	.12	.11	.09	.09	.08
6	.23	.19	.16	.14	.13	.11	.10	.09	Legally Intoxicated Criminal Penalties
7	.26	.22	.19	.16	.15	.13	.12	.11
8	.30	.25	.21	.19	.17	.15	.14	.13
9	.34	.28	.24	.21	.19	.17	.15	.14
10	.38	.31	.27	.23	.21	.19	.17	.16	Death Possible
Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking. One drink is 1.25 oz. 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. beer, or 5 oz. wine.

BAC Table for Women

	Body Weight in Pounds
Drinks	90	100	120	140	160	180	200	220	240	Condition
0	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	Only Safe Driving Limit
0	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	.00	Only Safe Driving Limit
1	.05	.05	.04	.03	.03	.03	.02	.02	.02	Driving Skills Significantly Affected Possible Criminal Penalties
2	.10	.09	.08	.07	.06	.05	.05	.04	.04
3	.15	.14	.11	.10	.09	.08	.07	.06	.06
4	.20	.18	.15	.13	.11	.10	.09	.08	.08
5	.25	.23	.19	.16	.14	.13	.11	.10	.09
6	.30	.27	.23	.19	.17	.15	.14	.12	.11	Legally Intoxicated Criminal Penalties
7	.35	.32	.27	.23	.20	.18	.16	.14	.13
8	.40	.36	.30	.26	.23	.20	.18	.17	.15
9	.45	.41	.34	.29	.26	.23	.20	.19	.17
10	.51	.45	.38	.32	.28	.25	.23	.21	.19	Death Possible
Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking. One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. beer, or 5 oz. wine.

The Legal Limit for Those Under 21

Although consuming alcohol is illegal in Ohio if you are under 21, the legal limit for drivers under 21 is 0.02%. When compared to the .08 BAC limit for adults, this is a minuscule amount, and a single drink can easily put an underage driver over the limit.

Underage drivers should be extremely careful Ohio even after a single drink. Underage DUIs are serious, with very real consequences and penalties.

More About Underage DUIs

The Legal Limit for Commercial Drivers

Another scenario where a driver can be charged with a DUI with a BAC less than 0.08 is if the driver has a commercial driver’s license. Ohio law sets a strict BAC limit of 0.04 for those with a CDL, like truck drivers.

If someone with a commercial driver’s license is pulled over and their BAC is 0.05 or over, then he or she can be charged with a DUI. Like drivers under 21, anyone in Ohio who has a commercial driver’s license should avoid driving if they have had even a single drink.

Our Columbus DUI Lawyers Can Help

If you have been charged with a DUI in Ohio, your legal rights and your future may be at stake. With jail time, fines, and suspended driving privileges as some of the potential penalties, you might not know where to turn.

The Columbus DUI attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates have handled hundreds of DUI cases each year with successful outcomes and mitigated penalties. The BAC tests are not absolute and there may be any number of flaws in how you were stopped or tested.

By limiting the evidence or challenging the validity of the BAC test results, you may be able to get your OVI reduced or dismissed. Even if charges proceed or the case goes to court, your attorney can pursue a lenient outcome, protect your ability to drive, or help you move on quickly so a DUI in Ohio doesn’t damage your future.