Drinking and Driving Under 21
625 ILCS 5/11-501.8 — any alcohol above 0.00, or a refusal, leads to a suspension
A driver under 21 who is issued a ticket for any traffic violation is treated as having consented to a chemical test for alcohol, when the officer has probable cause to believe the driver has consumed any amount of an alcoholic beverage.
Who handles this in Illinois: Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Lawyer Finder; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Illinois directory.
Where the driver refuses, or a test shows an alcohol concentration of more than 0.00, the officer sends a sworn report to the Secretary of State and the driving privilege is suspended. The driver may contest it by asking for an administrative hearing with the Secretary of State.
A concentration above 0.00 from alcohol taken in a religious service or ceremony does not bring the suspension.
Sources for this section (1)
- 625 ILCS 5/11-501.8 — Suspension of driver's license; persons under age 21
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Illinois attorney.