If you were stopped for a DUI in Illinois, there is a good chance you were asked to take a breathalyzer test. But not all breathalyzer tests are the same. The type of test used and when it was given can make a real difference in your case. Some tests are more reliable than others, and some carry legal consequences if you refuse them. If you are facing a DUI charge in 2026, a Will County DUI defense lawyer can review the details of your case and find the best possible way to fight back.
What Is a Preliminary Breath Test and Do You Have to Take It?
In Illinois, there are two main types of breath tests used in DUI cases. They are used at different points during the stop, and they carry very different legal weight.
The first is the Preliminary Breath Test (PBT). A PBT is a portable, handheld device that an officer may ask you to blow into during a roadside stop. Officers use it to help establish probable cause to make a DUI arrest. The results are not as reliable as the station-based test, and under Illinois law, the results of a PBT are generally not admissible as evidence of your actual BAC at trial.