If you thought only alcohol or illegal drugs could get you a DUI, think again. A viral TikTok video from a Texas lawyer has left coffee lovers stunned—and maybe a little jittery. It turns out that even too much caffeine could technically get you in trouble behind the wheel.
Yep, that morning cold brew might not be as harmless as you think—at least if it leads to reckless driving.
Can You Really Get a DUI for Caffeine?
The short answer is: It’s possible. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) laws don’t always require alcohol or illegal substances to apply. If any substance, even a legal one, affects your ability to drive safely, it could result in a charge.
This includes caffeine, which is legal but still a stimulant that can impact your body and focus.
In a now-viral TikTok, a lawyer from Fort Worth, Texas, explained how DUI laws can apply to more than just booze. “Did you know that if you have too much caffeine, you could land yourself getting arrested for a DWI?” the lawyer asks.
The Real-Life Case That Started It All
This isn’t just a theory. Back in 2015, a man in California was actually charged with a DUI—and the only substance found in his system was caffeine. He wasn’t drunk, high, or even sleepy. Just heavily caffeinated.
Police pulled him over for driving erratically, and after doing some tests, they charged him with driving under the influence. However, prosecutors later dropped the case because they couldn’t prove how much caffeine was in his system—or how it actually affected his driving.
Still, the fact that he was charged at all shows that it’s not just a funny internet rumor. It’s something that could happen.
What Does the Law Say?
DUI laws vary from state to state, but in many places, a person can be charged if any substance impairs their ability to operate a vehicle safely. That includes:
- Prescription medication
- Over-the-counter drugs
- Legal recreational substances
- And yes—caffeine
Of course, no one is going to pull you over just because you had a latte. The real issue comes if the caffeine causes erratic driving—like speeding, swerving, or not paying attention. In that case, it’s your behavior on the road that raises concern, not your coffee order.
Should Coffee Drinkers Be Worried?
Let’s be clear: You won’t get a DUI just for drinking an iced coffee or downing an energy drink. Millions of people do it every day and drive perfectly fine. But if you’re jittery, overly anxious, or can’t focus due to too much caffeine, it’s smart to wait before getting behind the wheel.
In short, it’s not about the caffeine itself—it’s about how you drive after having it.