Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
In October 2018, Oklahoma officially restructured its alcohol laws through the passing of State Question 792. This marked a significant change in how beer, wine, and spirits are sold across the State. The law allowed stronger alcoholic beverages to be sold in more retail locations and permitted refrigeration of products that were previously kept warm by law.
For many Oklahoma residents, this meant more convenience. But for public safety advocates and legal professionals, it also raised questions about drunk driving risks and the responsibility that comes with increased access.
This article breaks down the changes to the law, explains why they matter, and outlines what to do if you or someone you care about is affected by impaired driving in Oklahoma.
Prior to 2018, Oklahoma maintained some of the strictest alcohol laws in the country. Beer sold in most retail stores was limited to 3.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) and had to be stored at room temperature. Liquor stores were the only places you could buy higher-strength beer or wine, and they were not allowed to sell chilled products.
After voters approved State Question 792, these rules were overhauled. Liquor laws were updated to bring Oklahoma more closely in line with practices in neighboring states.
Now, stores have more flexibility in the types of alcohol they can sell, and consumers can purchase a wider variety of beverages in more convenient formats.
Oklahoma’s new alcohol laws allow the sale of strong beer and wine—ending the state’s long standing restrictions on low-point beverages. — Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission.
The most noticeable difference is that more places can now sell stronger drinks, and shoppers can buy cold beer and wine outside of liquor stores. But each store type has different rules.
Retailer Type | Before Oct 1, 2018 | After Oct 1, 2018 |
| Liquor Stores | No refrigeration; ABV restrictions | Refrigerated beer & wine; higher ABV allowed |
| Grocery Stores | 3.2% beer only, unrefrigerated | Strong beer & wine allowed; refrigerated OK |
| Convenience Stores | 3.2% beer only | Can sell strong beer & wine; refrigerated OK |
| Gas Stations | 3.2% beer only | Can sell stronger beer; no liquor |
| Liquor Store Extras | Alcohol only | Can sell non-alcoholic goods (limit 20% of monthly sales) |
The Oklahoma ABLE Commission reminds all licensees and consumers that increased access to alcohol also requires increased responsibility. — Oklahoma ABLE Commission, 2025 Bulletin.
These changes offer more flexibility to both consumers and businesses, but they also come with greater potential for alcohol misuse, particularly impaired driving.
Drunk driving has long been a concern in Oklahoma. The expanded access to alcohol makes it even more important to educate the public and enforce DUI laws.
1.8% of adults in Oklahoma admit to driving after drinking too much, nearly identical to the national average of 1.9%. — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Many of these crashes happen late at night or on weekends. They often involve repeat offenders or drivers with extremely high blood alcohol content. The victims are not always the drivers—typically, they are innocent passengers, pedestrians, or occupants of other vehicles.
Oklahoma law sets clear limits on what qualifies as driving under the influence. For adults 21 and older, a BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal. For underage drivers, anything over 0.02% can lead to charges.
These penalties increase significantly with each repeat offense, Especially if anybody was hurt or killed in the crash. It’s also important to remember that DUI charges are handled in criminal court, whereas injury lawsuits are handled in civil court. Victims of drunk driving crashes may need both types of legal action to achieve justice and financial recovery.
If a drunk driver has injured you, the steps you take in the hours and days afterward can have a long-term impact on your recovery—physically, emotionally, and financially.
At this point, your focus should be on healing. A lawyer can handle communication with insurance companies and help you determine what your case May be worth based on medical expenses and other Losses, including lost income, pain and suffering, and other costs.
The outcome of your case depends on its unique facts. Past results do not guarantee future results. — Required disclaimer under Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct.
State Question 792 modernized Oklahoma’s alcohol laws by allowing the sale of stronger beer and wine, refrigerated alcohol, and non-alcoholic goods in liquor stores. It marked a significant shift from the State’s older low-point beer rules.
Yes. Convenience stores can now sell beer above 8.99% ABV and wine above 15% ABV, including refrigerated options.
It’s too early to link recent changes to an increase directly, but Oklahoma continues to report over 150 alcohol-impaired crash deaths annually, indicating an ongoing problem.
Yes. Liquor stores can now sell non-alcoholic products, such as snacks or mixers, as long as these items don’t exceed 20% of their monthly sales.
Seek immediate medical care and gather evidence if possible. For more information, consult a personal injury lawyer. Your rights and legal options.
Penalties range from fines and license suspension to jail time and mandatory ignition interlocks, especially for repeat offenses.
Oklahoma’s new liquor laws have changed how and where people buy alcohol, but they haven’t changed the dangers of drunk driving. While convenience has improved, so has the responsibility we all share to keep our roads safe.
If someone chooses to drive under the influence and cause harm, they can be held accountable—not only in criminal court but through a civil claim brought by those they injured.
Graves McLain Injury Lawyers understands what victims of drunk driving accidents go through. Our Tulsa legal team helps injury victims navigate their claims, seek compensation, and move forward with their lives. If someone else’s reckless decision has hurt you, we’re here to help you understand your rights and take the following steps toward recovery.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
