Underage Consequences: What Happens If You Get a DUI Under 21 in Texas?

What Happens If You Get a DUI Under 21 in Texas?

If you are under 21 and get a DUI in Texas, you face a zero tolerance rule for alcohol, an automatic threat to your driver’s license, and real risks to your college status and scholarships. In a Texas-style system, even a small amount of alcohol in your system can trigger criminal charges, an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) case, and school discipline, especially in places like Houston and Harris County.

This guide walks you, as an underage college driver, through what happens step by step: the zero tolerance BAC rules, underage drinking and driving penalties in Texas, license suspension for minors, and how a DUI can affect your campus record and financial aid. You will also see simple, next moves you can take in the first days after an arrest or citation so you understand your options instead of guessing.

Big Picture: What Happens If You Get a DUI Under 21 In Texas?

Texas treats alcohol and driving for anyone under 21 very differently from adults. For you, the state uses a “zero tolerance” standard. That means any detectable amount of alcohol in your system behind the wheel can be a legal problem, even if you do not feel drunk and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is under the adult 0.08 limit.

In practical terms, what happens if you get a DUI under 21 in Texas usually includes three parallel tracks:

• Criminal case for driving under the influence by a minor or DWI.
• Administrative License Revocation (ALR) case that can suspend your license, sometimes for months.
• School and scholarship fallout if your college, financial aid office, or campus housing learns about the arrest or conviction.

For many students in Houston, the worst fear is that one night out will wreck your future. The reality is serious, but there are structured processes and deadlines. If you understand these early, you can make more informed decisions about your license and your education.

Zero Tolerance Minor DUI Rules in Texas

Texas law uses different terms depending on your age and alcohol level. For drivers under 21, “driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor” (often called DUI by a minor) is based on any detectable amount of alcohol, not just 0.08 or higher. This is what people refer to when they talk about zero tolerance minor DUI rules.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety materials, the state enforces zero tolerance for minors who operate a motor vehicle with alcohol in their system. You can see this explained in the official Texas DPS brochure on zero-tolerance for minors, which outlines how even low BAC levels can trigger license consequences.

At the same time, if your BAC is 0.08 or higher or if you show signs of being intoxicated, you can also be charged with the adult offense of DWI. That charge carries harsher penalties than DUI by a minor, including longer potential license suspensions and higher fines.

If you are under 21 and worried about what underage DUI convictions mean in Texas, keep in mind that penalties can include fines, community service, mandatory alcohol education, and a criminal record that may show up on background checks.

For you as an underage college driver, this means two key things:

• You do not have to be “drunk” to get charged.
• Your case can involve both a lower-level DUI by a minor and, in some situations, a full DWI.

Quick Reality Check for Tyler Brooks (younger party-goer)

Tyler Brooks (younger party-goer): If you are the friend who drinks “just one” and then drives a few blocks home from a party, zero tolerance means that “just one” can still show up on a breath test. The costs can last months or years: fines, a suspended license, and headaches with your parents and school that feel a lot heavier than that short ride ever felt.

Typical Penalties: Underage Drinking and Driving Penalties in Texas

Underage drinking and driving penalties in Texas depend on your age, your BAC, and whether this is a first or repeat offense. The numbers below are general ranges that help you understand what is at stake.

For minors under 21 charged with DUI by a minor

• Fines: Often up to several hundred dollars for a first DUI by a minor, before court costs and fees.
• Community service: Frequently around 20 to 40 hours for a first offense, with higher ranges for repeat offenses.
• Alcohol education: Court-ordered classes are common and must be completed by specific deadlines.
• License suspension: A first-time license suspension can be around 60 to 180 days, with longer periods if you have prior alcohol-related issues or refuse testing.

For minors charged with adult DWI

• Jail exposure: A first adult DWI can carry up to several days in jail and, in some cases, up to 180 days, depending on the specific charge and enhancements.
• Fines: Potential fines can run up to $2,000 or more for a first DWI, not counting court costs and surcharges.
• License suspension: Often at least 90 days for a first DWI administrative suspension, with possible longer suspensions if there is a refusal to test or higher BAC.
• Ignition interlock: A court can require you to install a device that tests your breath before starting your car, even as a young driver.

These are not just numbers. They translate into lost time, missed classes, and stress for both you and your family. If you are balancing work, school, and maybe a scholarship, even a short suspension can throw your schedule and finances off track.

Common Misconception: “Because I Am a First-Time Offender, It Will Just Go Away”

A common myth among college students in Houston is that a first underage DUI or DWI is “no big deal” and will simply disappear after you graduate. That is not accurate. Many alcohol-related driving convictions stay on your record and can show up on background checks for years. Some options, such as deferred adjudication or certain dismissals, may help limit long term impact, but they depend on the facts and the law, not just your age or how sorry you feel now.

What Is Administrative License Revocation (ALR) And Why 15 Days Matter

When people ask what happens if you get a DUI under 21, they usually think of the criminal case only. In Texas, you also face a separate civil process called Administrative License Revocation, or ALR. This process is run through the Texas Department of Public Safety and focuses just on your driving privilege, not whether you are guilty of a crime.

The key point: you usually have 15 days from the date of your arrest or notice of suspension to request an ALR hearing. If you do nothing within that window, your license can automatically go into suspension, often starting 40 days from the date of the notice.

If you are trying to keep driving to class or work, it helps to get familiar with a step-by-step ALR hearing checklist for minors. That kind of resource explains basic steps, from counting your 15 days correctly to knowing what information goes into a request.

Texas DPS also provides an online portal where drivers can submit hearing requests. The Official DPS portal to request an ALR hearing (15-day deadline) gives instructions for how and where to submit requests. This is a civil process separate from your criminal court date in Houston or surrounding counties.

You do not have to navigate ALR alone, but you should not ignore it. For an underage college driver, a suspended license can be the difference between staying in school comfortably and scrambling for rides every day.

How License Suspension for Minors Works

License suspension for minors in Texas can be triggered in several ways:

• Failing a breath or blood test while under 21.
• Refusing to take a requested breath or blood test.
• Being convicted of DUI by a minor or DWI.

The length of the suspension depends on your age, prior history, and whether this is a refusal or a test failure. For example, a first-time test failure for an under-21 driver can lead to a suspension of about 60 to 90 days. A refusal can lead to a longer suspension. Prior alcohol-related contacts with law enforcement can increase the length.

During suspension, you may still be able to apply for an occupational license in some situations so you can drive to school, work, or essential activities. That process involves court orders and specific conditions, and it is separate from simply requesting an ALR hearing.

Perspective for Michael “Mike” Carter

Michael “Mike” Carter: If you are a parent, employer, or older family member reading this, your concern is often about how your student’s mistake affects their ability to get to work or internships. Early attention to the ALR process and license issues is part of preserving their mobility and, by extension, their job and financial stability.

School, Scholarships, And Campus Discipline After an Underage DUI

For an underage college driver, the legal penalties are only part of the story. What may weigh on you more is the question: “Will I lose my scholarship or get kicked out of housing?”

Colleges and universities in Houston and across Texas often have codes of conduct that apply on and off campus. An arrest for DUI by a minor or DWI can trigger:

• Referrals to a campus conduct office.
• Required alcohol education or counseling.
• Probationary status with the school.
• Housing changes, including removal from certain dorms or “substance-free” living communities.
• Review of scholarships or other financial aid, especially if they require you to maintain a clean conduct record.

Some scholarships have explicit clauses about criminal convictions or alcohol-related discipline. Others give the school broad discretion. In competitive programs, especially nursing, education, or fields that involve working with children or vulnerable populations, a DUI or DWI record can raise character and fitness questions that you will want to address early.

If you are curious about longer term academic and career risks, including background checks, you may find it useful to read more about how a DWI can affect scholarships and campus status. These issues can overlap when you apply for jobs, internships, or graduate programs later.

As a student, you might feel like you have to choose between being honest with your school and protecting your future. Policies vary, so it often helps to read your student handbook, talk with a trusted advisor, and understand how your criminal case timeline might interact with any campus investigations.

Micro-Story: A Houston College Student Facing an Underage DUI

Imagine a 19-year-old student at a Houston-area college. She goes to an off-campus party, has two drinks over several hours, and feels mostly fine. On the way back to her dorm, she gets stopped for a broken taillight. The officer smells alcohol, asks her to step out, and eventually arrests her for DUI by a minor after a field sobriety test.

The next morning, she is holding several papers: a citation, a temporary driving permit, and a notice that her license will be suspended if she does not request a hearing. She also has an email from her school asking her to schedule a meeting about a “possible conduct issue.”

At that moment, she is afraid she will be expelled, lose her scholarship, and never get into grad school. In reality, she has important decisions to make, but she also has time to:

• Review her paperwork and calendar the 15-day ALR deadline.
• Learn about underage drinking and driving penalties in Texas so she knows what is possible and what is not.
• Decide how to talk with her family and, when appropriate, campus staff.

Your facts will be different, but the feeling of panic is common. It helps to replace some of that fear with clear information about the process in front of you.

Step-by-Step: What To Do In the First 15 Days After an Underage DUI Arrest

If you are asking what happens if you get a DUI under 21 in Texas right after an arrest in Houston or a nearby county, your first days matter. Here is a simple checklist to help you organize your next moves.

1. Gather and read your paperwork

Carefully look at every form you received: citations, bond paperwork, and any notice about your license. Somewhere on those forms, usually near the top, you will see the date of arrest or the date your license is set to be suspended.

Circle or highlight the part that mentions 15 days or an ALR hearing. Put that date in your phone calendar, on your wall, and anywhere else you will see it. Your license is one of the biggest things on the line.

2. Learn how to request an ALR hearing

Before your license suspension kicks in, you usually have the right to ask for an ALR hearing to challenge or review the basis of the suspension. It can also be an opportunity to learn more about the state’s evidence. Resources that explain how to request an ALR hearing and preserve your license can walk you through deadlines and basic steps.

Your hearing request can often be submitted by mail or online, including through the Official DPS portal to request an ALR hearing (15-day deadline). Pay attention to any confirmation numbers or notices you receive so you can prove you met the deadline if needed.

3. Avoid self-incrimination

It is natural to want to explain yourself to friends, social media, or even campus staff. Be careful with what you say and where you say it. Admissions like “I knew I should not have driven” or detailed descriptions of how much you drank can sometimes be used against you later.

In general, it is safer not to discuss your case publicly or post about it online while it is pending. You can still be honest with trusted adults and advisors, but you do not have to volunteer unnecessary details that damage your legal position.

4. Collect evidence while it is fresh

Simple steps can help preserve useful information:

• Write down your own memory of the night while it is fresh, including times, locations, and who was with you.
• Save receipts or screenshots that might confirm when you stopped drinking or when you left a location.
• Keep contact information for any potential witnesses.

You are not expected to know which details will end up mattering. Capturing them now just makes it easier to sort out later.

5. Plan for school and family conversations

Many underage students are most anxious about how parents, guardians, or scholarship committees will react. While you cannot control others’ responses, you can decide when and how to share information. Reading your school’s code of conduct and scholarship terms helps you avoid surprises.

For some students, it is helpful to bring a parent or trusted adult into the process early, especially when it comes to transportation, court dates, and financial planning.

Technical Sidebar for Daniel Kim / Ryan Mitchell

Daniel Kim / Ryan Mitchell: If you are the data-driven type, you may want to understand how ALR hearings interact with the criminal case. Evidence such as breath-test records, patrol car video, body camera footage, and probable cause statements can be reviewed and challenged. In some cases, issues with the stop, testing procedure, or chain of custody can shape both the ALR result and the criminal defense strategy.

How Evidence and Defenses Can Matter in Underage DUI Cases

Even under a zero tolerance system, the state still has to prove certain facts to sustain a DUI by a minor or DWI charge. Understanding the kinds of evidence involved can help you see that your situation is not just about what you told the officer that night.

Common types of evidence in under-21 DUI cases

• Reason for the stop: Why were you pulled over in the first place, such as speeding, a broken light, or a lane violation.
• Officer observations: What the officer wrote about your speech, balance, odor of alcohol, and behavior.
• Field sobriety tests: Standardized tests like the walk-and-turn or one-leg stand, and how they were administered.
• Chemical tests: Breath or blood test results, including the timing and reliability of the equipment used.
• Video or audio: Patrol car or body camera footage that may show your actual behavior.

Possible issues that arise

In some situations, there are questions about whether the initial stop was lawful, whether field sobriety tests were given on an uneven surface, or whether instructions were clear. Timing can also matter: a breath test taken a long time after driving might not reflect your BAC at the exact moment you were on the road.

For underage drivers, another key issue is whether the state can clearly show that you had any detectable alcohol at the time of driving, as opposed to later or under questionable testing conditions. These are technical points, but they are part of the bigger picture of what “really” happened, not just what appears on your citation.

Houston TX College and Scholarship Impact: Longer Term Outlook

When you look beyond the immediate panic, you may worry about internships, grad school, and jobs around Houston and across Texas. A DUI by a minor or DWI can affect how you are viewed on future applications, but the impact depends on several factors:

• Outcome of your case: A conviction, deferred outcome, or dismissal each shows up differently, if at all, on certain records.
• Type of program or job: Positions in healthcare, education, or public safety may look more closely at driving and alcohol-related history.
• Timing: Some schools and employers focus on recent history more than older incidents, especially when you show growth and responsibility.

If you are in a competitive Houston TX college program, the main thing you control is how early you get information and how carefully you respond to deadlines. A single mistake does not define your life, but it can shape your choices for a few years unless you understand your options and responsibilities now.

Note for Sophia Delgado / Marcus Ellison

Sophia Delgado / Marcus Ellison: If you are a high-profile student, athlete, or someone whose family values privacy, remember that attorney-client conversations are confidential. There are options to address an underage DUI or DWI discreetly, which can be especially important if media, campus organizations, or future sponsors are watching.

FAQs About What Happens If You Get a DUI Under 21 in Texas

Is an underage DUI in Texas a misdemeanor or a felony?

Most first-time DUI by a minor charges in Texas are handled as misdemeanors, particularly when there is no accident, injury, or serious prior record. An under-21 driver can also face adult DWI charges, which are typically misdemeanors at first but can be enhanced to felonies if there are prior DWIs or serious injuries involved.

How long can my driver’s license be suspended after an under-21 DUI in Houston?

For many first-time under-21 drivers, a license suspension can range from about 60 to 180 days, depending on whether the case involves a test failure, a refusal, or prior alcohol-related contacts. The exact length also depends on the outcome of your Administrative License Revocation hearing and the criminal case.

Will my Texas underage DUI or DWI affect my college scholarship?

It might, depending on your scholarship terms and your school’s policies. Some scholarships require students to maintain a clean conduct record or to report criminal charges, and alcohol-related driving offenses can trigger a review, probation, or in rare cases a loss of funding.

Can an underage DUI in Texas be removed from my record?

In some circumstances, options like expunction or orders of nondisclosure may help limit public access to certain records, especially if the case is dismissed or you successfully complete certain programs. Whether you qualify depends on the specific outcome, your prior history, and the type of charge involved.

Do I have to tell my Houston college about my underage DUI arrest?

Some schools require you to self-report arrests or criminal charges, while others only act when they receive official notice. To avoid surprises, it is smart to review your student code of conduct and any scholarship agreements and, when needed, discuss your situation with a trusted advisor or counselor.

Closing Guidance: Why Acting Early Matters More Than Panicking

It is normal to feel overwhelmed if you are under 21, in college, and suddenly facing a DUI or DWI in Texas. Your mind jumps to the worst possibilities: losing your license, scholarship, or even your place in school. While the situation is serious, you still have choices about how you respond in the next days and weeks.

Acting early means simple things: protect your 15-day ALR deadline, read and organize your paperwork, avoid self-incriminating statements, and learn the basics of underage drinking and driving penalties in Texas. These steps do not promise a particular outcome, but they help you move from fear and guesswork to a more informed, deliberate approach.

If you or your family want deeper, ongoing explanations in plain language, an interactive Q&A resource with practical DWI tips can be a useful way to explore common questions before you talk with a professional about your specific facts.

Remember, one mistake at 18, 19, or 20 does not erase your hard work in school. The more clearly you understand what happens if you get a DUI under 21 in Texas, the better you can protect your license, your education, and your future opportunities.

Short Video Walkthrough: Immediate Steps After a Texas DWI or Underage DUI

If you learn best by watching rather than reading, this short video from a Houston DWI lawyer walks through immediate steps after a Texas DWI arrest. It is especially helpful for underage college drivers who are worried about ALR deadlines, license suspension, and what to say or not say after an arrest.

The video explains key early decisions: requesting an ALR hearing within 15 days, protecting your right to remain silent, and organizing your paperwork so you do not miss critical dates.

Butler Law Firm - The Houston DWI Lawyer
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