California 2009 DUI Changes
Under the strict provisions of a new
DUI law, which went into effect January 1, 2009, any driver who is on
probation for a DUI conviction and has a blood alcohol level of 0.01%
or higher, as measured by a preliminary alcohol screening test or another
chemical test, faces suspension of the driver’s license by the DMV,
a citation for probation violation, and vehicle impoundment.
The same penalties apply if a person
refuses to take, or fails to complete the preliminary alcohol screening
test, or refuses to take or to complete a chemical test if a preliminary
screening device is not available.
The new law, which was signed by the
governor in October 2007 but did not take effect until 2009, gives an
officer who has reason to believe a driver has violated probation authority
to take possession of the driver’s license and issue a temporary license
for the DMV,
The temporary license, which serves as notice that an order of suspension of driving privileges, is valid for 30 days or until the driver receives the DMV’s formal suspension notice, whichever comes first.
