Zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit for drivers under 20 years.

From the 7th August 2011 drivers under 20 will be subject to a zero alcohol level.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the reduction of the limit from 30mg of alcohol per 100mg of blood to zero will enhance youth driver safety. The measure was brought in under the Land Transport Amendment Bill in May, which also saw the driving age raised from 15 to 16.

What will happen if a young driver is found to have a BAC between zero and 0.03?

They will receive an infringement notice. This will be an infringement fee of $200 and 50 driver demerit points. A driver licence will be suspended for three months when 100 or more driver demerit points are incurred within a two-year period.

Note: BAC 0.03 is equivalent to 30mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood or 150mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.

What is the penalty for a young driver with over 0.03 BAC?

There are serious penalties for drivers under the age of 20 who are found to have a blood alcohol concentration of more than BAC 0.03. These are either a fine of up to $2,250 or imprisonment for up to three months, and disqualification from driving for three months or more.

If the driver is found to have a blood alcohol concentration of more than BAC 0.08 then the penalties are the same as for an adult driver and are either a fine of up to $4,500 or imprisonment for up to three months, and disqualification from driving for six months or more. If the driver is found to have a blood alcohol concentration of more than BAC 0.13 then, in addition to these penalties the driver's licence will be suspended at the roadside for 28 days.

There are more significant penalties for repeat offending.

NB: BAC 0.08 is equivalent to 80mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood or 400mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. BAC 0.13 is equivalent to 130 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood or 650 mcg alcohol per litre of breath.