Breathalyzer Testing in Virginia: A Quick Guide

If an officer pulls you over for DUI in Virginia, they'll probably ask you to take a breathalyzer test. However, many people misunderstand what this means.

The results of a breathalyzer test are often the single most important piece of evidence in any given DUI case.

However, the laws surrounding breathalyzer testing in Virginia can be complicated and hard to understand.

In this article, we’ll go over the basics of how breathalyzer testing works in Virginia.

We’ll also answer a few frequently asked questions, including why you should be careful when refusing a breathalyzer test in Virginia.

What is a Breathalyzer Test?

bac testing device, breathalyzer test being given on side of highway.

Virginia law permits police officers to electronically test the exact blood-alcohol content (BAC) of a person they suspect to be driving while intoxicated.

This is referred to as a “breathalyzer test.”

However, as with many procedural legal issues, there is often confusion about how sobriety tests such as the breathalyzer test actually work.

For this reason, it’s important to know the difference between a breathalyzer test and general field sobriety testing.

Breathalyzer Testing in Virginia: The Basics

To begin, you should note that there are actually two different breathalyzer tests in Virginia.

The first is called a “Preliminary Breath Test” (PBT). This is the small electronic device that officers will ask you to blow into on the side of the road.

The second is a test that occurs at the police station itself. Officers administer this second test through a significantly larger and more precise breathalyzer device.

As a few important things of note:

  • The police must have a “reasonable suspicion” that you were driving under the influence to administer a preliminary roadside breathalyzer test.
  • Failing either this preliminary breathalyzer test or one of the additional field sobriety tests noted below, or otherwise acting in a significantly intoxicated manner, can both lead to an arrest for DUI.
  • The results of your preliminary roadside breathalyzer test (when you blow into the PBT) are not admissible in court. Further, you can refuse this initial, portable breathalyzer test if you so choose. However, refusing this test will usually result in your arrest and a subsequent mandatory breathalyzer test at the police station.
  • You must perform a breathalyzer or blood test at the police station after your arrest. This rule is called the Implied Consent Law, as, by driving on Virginia roads, you automatically consent to DUI testing.
  • This later breathalyzer test is the test that the prosecution will use in your DUI case. Generally, you’ll have to take it 3 different times to confirm the results.

Breathalyzer Testing FAQ

question mark on orange wall as doubt concept image

How is a breathalyzer test different from a field sobriety test?

The Virginia Code lays out a clear legal difference between breathalyzer tests and field sobriety tests.

Basically, the advanced breathalyzer tests (and blood tests) that you take at the police station will show your exact BAC.

Meanwhile, field sobriety tests instead provide circumstantial evidence for the fact you may be intoxicated.

Finally, note again that preliminary roadside breathalyzer tests are not admissible in court, despite being a field sobriety test.

Which field sobriety tests are admissible in court?

There are three standardized field sobriety tests which an officer may ask you to perform during a traffic stop:

  • The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test — Moving a finger back in forth in front of a person’s eyes in order to track eye movement.
  • The Walk-and-Turn Test — Walking heel-to-toe along a straight path, then turning around and returning to the original position.
  • The One-Leg Stand Test — Standing on one leg for 30 seconds.

While an officer may ask you to perform other tests (such as asking you to say your ABCs in reverse), these tests are generally less admissible in court, and are worth challenging with your defense attorney.

Can the officer arrest me if I blow less than 0.08% on a breathalyzer test?

Yes. In Virginia, blowing 0.08% or higher provides enough evidence to charge you with DUI by itself, irrespective of whether or not you actually seemed impaired.

However, even if you blow below a 0.08 on either of these tests, the officer can still charge you with DUI on the suspicion that you were driving while impaired.

Put another way, a breathalyzer test is the strongest evidence against you, but it may not be the only evidence against you.

If the officers have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime (such as if they witnessed you driving erratically or if you fail several field sobriety tests), they can arrest you for that crime.

The breathalyzer test merely confirms their suspicions and provides evidence to make the later trial go quicker.

What are the penalties for refusing a breathalyzer test in Virginia?

If you do refuse a formal, post-arrest breathalyzer test, you’ll face several consequences:

Can I refuse a blood test in Virginia?

If a police officer believes you were driving under the influence of drugs, rather than alcohol, they may request a blood test.

This blood test holds the same legal power as the formal breathalyzer test we discussed above.

In other words, if you unreasonably refuse a blood test, you may also face additional penalties through the Implied Consent Law, such as the loss of your driving privileges.

However, unlike breathalyzer tests, a second or subsequent refusal of a blood test will not result in a Class 1 misdemeanor charge.

This is because of a 2016 Supreme Court decision which stated that states cannot criminalize the refusal of a blood test (see Birchfield v. North Dakota).

Will I lose my license because of a breathalyzer test result?

Yes. If you blow at or above the legal limit of 0.08 BAC, you will face an immediate administrative license suspension.

The same thing will happen if you refuse a breathalyzer test after your arrest.

The length of the suspension depends on the number of DUIs you’ve been convicted of in the past:

  • For a first offense of DUI, you will lose your driving privileges for 7 days.
  • For a second offense of DUI, you will lose your driving privileges for either 60 days or until the date of your trial. Whichever comes first.
  • A third offense of DUI will result in the loss of your driving privileges until the day of your trial.

Conclusion

man driving car at night, view from backseat looking out front windshield.

The laws surrounding breathalyzer testing in Virginia are complicated.

As a few key takeaways:

  • There are actually two different breathalyzer tests in Virginia: the preliminary roadside test and the official breathalyzer test you take at the station.
  • There is a significant legal difference between a field sobriety test (such as walking heel-to-toe in a straight line) and the official breathalyzer test.
  • You cannot refuse an official breathalyzer test. Refusing to take a preliminary breathalyzer test is legal, but will likely result in your arrest.
  • Driving under the influence is a serious crime. You need to hire an attorney to fight the charges against you, or you risk facing more serious penalties which can permanently affect your life.

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