Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws generally specify the legal age at which an individual can consume, possess, purchase, or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. The MLDA in all states in the United States is 21 years. But the manner in which the MLDA is enforced—and the punishment for violations—varies from state to state.
In Virginia, as in all states across the United States, the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) is 21 years. This means individuals must be at least 21 years old to legally consume, possess, purchase, or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. Virginia law strictly enforces the MLDA and has specific penalties for violations. For instance, underage possession, purchase, or consumption of alcohol is illegal and can result in fines, mandatory alcohol education, community service, and suspension of driving privileges. Additionally, Virginia has 'zero tolerance' laws for underage drinking and driving, and individuals under 21 found with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.02% or higher can face DUI charges. The state also penalizes those who supply alcohol to minors with fines and potential jail time. Enforcement tactics and penalties can include law enforcement checks of retailers, as well as the use of fake IDs by underage individuals to attempt to purchase alcohol.