Buying and consuming alcoholic beverages when you are under the age of 21 in Ohio is illegal. Therefore, you break many laws when you drink and then get behind the wheel. If you are lucky enough to not get into an accident, you will face seriously stiff penalties as a result of underage drinking and driving. Do keep in mind that even if you were not drinking but an officer arrests you for the crime, you may still have some penalties that occur automatically.
After an arrest, you may have your license taken by the officer. The officer may also impound your vehicle if there is nobody else on the scene that can take possession of it. These things may happen even if you can prove you are not under the influence because they happen at the time of arrest.
If a court does find you guilty of an underage OVI with a blood alcohol concentration between .02 and .08 percent, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles explains that you will face serious administrative penalties. You will have to complete a driving program because the state will suspend your license for six months. You will then have to completely retake your driver’s license exam, including paying a reinstatement fee and all other applicable fees.
Keep in mind that a higher BAC will result in more serious penalties. In addition to administrative penalties, you may also face criminal penalties, such as jail time, if the court finds you guilty of underage drinking and driving. This information is for education and is not legal advice.