Zero tolerance — New York Permit Test
Zero tolerance on the New York permit test — 4 rules, each with the reason behind it and a question on it while it is fresh.
The rules
The legal purchase and possession age for beverages containing alcohol in New York State is 21.
The age is the base the zero tolerance rule is built on.
Zero Tolerance for Drivers Under Age 21 The legal purchase and possession age for beverages containing alcohol in New York State is 21.
Under the state's zero tolerance law it is a violation for a person under 21 to drive with any BAC that can be measured, from .02 to .07.
There is no allowance at all for a young driver. Anything measurable is a violation.
Under the state’s “zero tolerance” law, it is a violation for a person under 21 to drive with any BAC that can be measured (.02 to .07).
After a finding of a zero tolerance violation at a DMV hearing the driver license will be suspended for six months, and the driver must pay a $100 suspension termination fee and a $125 civil penalty to be re-licensed.
Half a year without a license is the cost, plus the fees to get it back.
After a finding of violation is determined at a DMV hearing, the driver license will be suspended for six months.
For a second zero tolerance violation the driver license will be revoked for at least one year, or until the driver reaches 21, whichever is longer.
A second time the license is gone for a year at least, and possibly for years.
For a second Zero Tolerance violation, the driver license will be revoked for at least one year or until the driver reaches 21, whichever is longer.
On the test
What is the legal purchase age for alcohol in New York State?
Age 21. The age is the base the zero tolerance rule is built on. New York State Driver's Manual, p.57: “Zero Tolerance for Drivers Under Age 21 The legal purchase and possession age for beverages containing alcohol in New York State is 21.”
How this works
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Where these come from
Every rule here is checked against New York State Driver's Manual, published by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and against the state code itself. Last checked 2026-09-15.