Drink-driving laws vary dramatically by country. Check the legal limit before you get behind the wheel.
Coverage
78
Countries and jurisdictions in the supplied reference set.
Review basis
March 23, 2026 brief
Compiled from Wikipedia, DiscoverCars, WHO-era summaries, and IARD references supplied in the PRD.
Global overview
The desktop view uses a clickable dot map keyed to the supplied country reference set. Hover or focus any marker to see the headline limit, then jump to the featured country card or the full table entry.
Legend
Alcohol ban
Alcohol possession prohibited
Zero tolerance
0.00%
Very low limit
0.02%-0.03%
Standard limit
0.05%
Higher limit
0.08%
No statutory limit
No listed BAC limit
Alcohol ban
Zero tolerance
Very low limit
Standard limit
Higher limit
No statutory limit
Country data
Search by English or Chinese country name, filter by region or BAC category, and sort the headline limit column when you want a quick strict-to-loose comparison.
Region
BAC band
| Country | Region | Novice | Commercial | Penalty summary | Band | Copy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | |||||||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Fines of about EUR 20-EUR 81 and licence suspension for 6-12 months. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | โ | โ | Fines apply; refusing the test can bring a EUR 300 fine and a 3-month suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.01% | Fines plus licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | BAC-tiered fines and sanctions. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance enforcement with fines and suspension. | 0.00% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | Fines or up to 6 months in prison and suspensions from 1 month to 5 years. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | EUR 135 fine above 0.05%; up to EUR 4,500 above 0.08%. Learner and newly licensed drivers face the lower threshold. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | EUR 500-EUR 1,500 fines plus licence suspension. Drivers under 21 or within the first 2 years of licensing must stay at zero. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | EUR 350-EUR 2,000 fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance enforcement with fines and suspension. | 0.00% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Starts around EUR 527; above 0.08% can reach EUR 3,200 and jail. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.02% | Fines, possible imprisonment, and licence suspension. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Europe | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.02% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance enforcement with fines and suspension. | 0.00% | ||
| Europe | 0.035% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Fines and licence suspension. Rules are often discussed with breath-test equivalents. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Europe | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance enforcement with fines and suspension. | 0.00% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.03% | EUR 500-EUR 1,000 fines; above 0.06% can trigger criminal charges. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.02% | Fines, imprisonment, and licence suspension. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.01% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension; still one of Europe's loosest headline limits. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | โ | โ | Reduced to 0.05% in 2014 with the same drink-driving offence structure. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Europe | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | Fines of about TRY 9,267-TRY 18,677 and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Asia | |||||||
| Asia | Alcohol ban | โ | โ | Islamic law prohibits alcohol possession and use. | Ban | ||
| Asia | 0.02% / 0.08% | โ | โ | 0.02%-0.08% brings fines and suspension; 0.08%+ can trigger criminal prosecution. The law distinguishes drinking and driving from drunk driving. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Asia | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% | First offence can mean 6 months in jail or a fine; repeat offences can mean 2 years. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Asia | No statutory limit | โ | โ | WHO 2018 data did not list a national BAC limit. | N/A | ||
| Asia | Alcohol ban | โ | โ | Islamic law prohibits alcohol possession and use. | Ban | ||
| Asia | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.01% | Fines and licence suspension. The lower threshold applies to drivers under 24 and commercial drivers. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Asia | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% | Strict fines, imprisonment, and licence suspension. Passengers and vehicle owners can also be held responsible. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Asia | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance enforcement. | 0.00% | ||
| Asia | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Asia | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines up to roughly EUR 430 and up to 6 months in prison. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Asia | 0.05% | โ | โ | Refusing the test can mean licence confiscation. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Asia | Alcohol ban | โ | โ | Severe penalties, including imprisonment, can apply. | Ban | ||
| Asia | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines, imprisonment, and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Asia | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Asia | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance enforcement with strict penalties. | 0.00% | ||
| Asia | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Nationwide zero-tolerance policy since 2020. | 0.00% | ||
| Americas | |||||||
| Americas | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Americas | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance law since 2008 with fines, suspension, and possible jail. | 0.00% | ||
| Americas | 0.04%-0.08% | 0.00% in many provinces | 0.04% | Provincial administrative limits and federal criminal thresholds both matter. Rules differ by province, and many novice drivers are zero tolerance. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Americas | 0.03%-0.08% | โ | โ | 0.03%-0.08% can suspend driving for 3 months; above 0.08% can lead to jail. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Americas | 0.04% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Americas | 0.04%-0.10% | โ | โ | State-level rules and penalties vary widely. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Americas | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance enforcement. | 0.00% | ||
| Americas | 0.05% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Americas | 0.08% in most states | 0.00%-0.02% under 21 | 0.04% | DUI and DWI penalties are criminal and vary by state. Utah uses 0.05%, and underage drivers usually face zero-tolerance rules. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Americas | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance enforcement. | 0.00% | ||
| Africa | |||||||
| Africa | 0.02% | โ | 0.02% | Fines and possible detention. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Africa | 0.06% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Africa | 0.05% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Africa | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Africa | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Africa | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Africa | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero-tolerance enforcement. | 0.00% | ||
| Africa | 0.02% | โ | 0.02% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.02%-0.03% | ||
| Africa | 0.05% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Africa | 0.05% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Africa | 0.05% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Africa | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Africa | 0.05% | โ | 0.02% | Up to 6 years in prison and fines up to ZAR 120,000. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Africa | 0.08% | โ | 0.00% | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Africa | No statutory limit | โ | โ | Police can require medical testing; penalties can include 1-3 years in prison. | N/A | ||
| Africa | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Africa | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Oceania | |||||||
| Oceania | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Fines and licence suspension, with state-level differences. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Oceania | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
| Oceania | 0.05% | 0.00% under 20 | โ | 6-month suspension, heavy fines, and possible criminal record. | 0.04%-0.06% | ||
| Oceania | 0.08% | โ | โ | Fines and licence suspension. | 0.08%+ | ||
Data is organized from the supplied March 23, 2026 reference set. Federal systems can vary internally, and driver-category rules often change faster than headline adult limits.
Featured countries
These cards pull out the destinations most likely to matter for tourists, rental-car drivers, and common search queries.
๐บ๐ธ United States
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.08% in most states
Novice / underage rule
0.00%-0.02% for drivers under 21, depending on the state
Commercial driver rule
0.04%
Penalty snapshot
DUI and DWI offences are criminal and vary by state.
Special note
Utah uses a lower 0.05% adult limit.
๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.08% in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Novice / underage rule
No separate national novice limit listed in the reference set
Commercial driver rule
No separate UK-wide commercial limit listed here
Penalty snapshot
Fines and disqualification apply; Scotland is stricter.
Special note
Scotland uses 0.05%, making the UK internally split.
๐ฆ๐บ Australia
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.05%
Novice / underage rule
0.00% for learner and provisional drivers
Commercial driver rule
0.00%
Penalty snapshot
Fines and suspension vary by state and territory.
Special note
State rules differ, but the novice and commercial stance is consistently stricter.
๐ซ๐ท France
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.05%
Novice / underage rule
0.02%
Commercial driver rule
0.02%
Penalty snapshot
EUR 135 fine above 0.05%; up to EUR 4,500 above 0.08%.
Special note
New drivers stay on the lower limit for the first 3 years.
๐ฉ๐ช Germany
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.05%
Novice / underage rule
0.00%
Commercial driver rule
0.00%
Penalty snapshot
EUR 500-EUR 1,500 fines plus licence suspension.
Special note
The zero rule applies to drivers under 21 or within the first 2 years of driving.
๐ฏ๐ต Japan
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.03%
Novice / underage rule
0.03%
Commercial driver rule
0.03%
Penalty snapshot
Strict fines, jail exposure, and licence suspension.
Special note
Passengers and vehicle owners can also face liability.
๐จ๐ณ China
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.02% for drinking and driving; 0.08% for drunk driving
Novice / underage rule
No separate national novice threshold listed in this reference set
Commercial driver rule
No separate national commercial threshold listed here
Penalty snapshot
Administrative penalties start at 0.02%; criminal prosecution starts at 0.08%.
Special note
China uses a two-track framework rather than one single headline threshold.
๐จ๐ฆ Canada
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.04%-0.08%, depending on the province and enforcement regime
Novice / underage rule
0.00% in many provinces
Commercial driver rule
0.04%
Penalty snapshot
Administrative and criminal consequences differ across provinces and federally.
Special note
Provincial rules matter as much as the federal criminal BAC threshold.
๐ง๐ท Brazil
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.00%
Novice / underage rule
0.00%
Commercial driver rule
0.00%
Penalty snapshot
Zero-tolerance enforcement with fines, suspension, and possible imprisonment.
Special note
The modern zero-tolerance regime dates from 2008.
๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa
Key legal reference
General driver limit
0.05%
Novice / underage rule
No separate novice threshold listed in the supplied reference set
Commercial driver rule
0.02%
Penalty snapshot
Up to 6 years in prison and fines up to ZAR 120,000.
Special note
Commercial and heavy-vehicle drivers face the tighter 0.02% rule.
Special rules
Adult BAC limits alone are not enough. Many jurisdictions apply stricter thresholds to drivers who are new, professional, or below the legal drinking age.
Novice drivers
Many countries cut the limit for new drivers well below the main adult limit to reduce early crash risk.
| Country | Limit | Applies when | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| ๐จ๐ฆ Canada | 0.00% | Many provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, Newfoundland, and Alberta | |
| ๐ฉ๐ช Germany | 0.00% | Drivers under 21 or within the first 2 years of licensing | |
| ๐ซ๐ท France | 0.02% | Within the first 3 years after receiving a licence | |
| ๐ฎ๐น Italy | 0.00% | Drivers with less than 3 years of experience | |
| ๐ฎ๐ฑ Israel | 0.01% | Drivers younger than 24 | |
| ๐ณ๐ฟ New Zealand | 0.00% | Drivers younger than 20 | |
| ๐บ๐ธ United States | 0.00%-0.02% | Drivers younger than 21, depending on the state | |
| ๐ฆ๐บ Australia | 0.00% | Learner and provisional licence holders |
FAQ
These answers help frame the table correctly: legal thresholds are enforcement lines, not safety guarantees.
A BAC of 0.05% means about 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, while 0.08% means 0.08 grams. Research cited in road-safety guidance shows that reaction time and judgment are already measurably impaired at 0.05%.
Yes. The United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom all show internal variation. One province, state, or constituent nation may apply a stricter rule than another even when the country is usually described with one headline BAC number.
Yes. Visitors are fully subject to local drink-driving law. Not knowing the local threshold is not a defence, especially when renting a car or driving across borders.
Common methods include roadside breath testing, blood testing, and sometimes urine testing. Breath tests are the most common roadside tool, while blood testing is usually treated as the most precise direct measurement.
In many jurisdictions, refusing a test is its own offence and can carry penalties equal to or worse than failing the test. The exact consequences depend on the local law and the type of driver licence involved.
This page is compiled from the supplied WHO-era public references, IARD material, and public summaries in the March 2026 project brief. Laws can change at any time, so check the relevant local authority before relying on any threshold.
Sources
This page is intentionally source-forward. Each country row includes the supplied reference numbers, and the project brief calls out WHO-era public data, IARD, and open web summaries as the base set.
[1] Wikipedia โ Drunk driving law by country
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drunk_driving_law_by_country
[2] DiscoverCars โ Drunk Driving Limits From Around The World
https://www.discovercars.com/drink-driving-limits
[3] Yahoo News / The Telegraph โ The strictest and most relaxed countries for drink driving
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/strictest-most-relaxed-countries-drink-140000050.html
[4] IARD โ Blood Alcohol Concentration Limits Worldwide
https://www.iard.org/policy-resources/detail/blood-alcohol-concentration-limits-worldwide
Important disclaimer
This page is for reference only and is not legal advice. National, provincial, and state rules can change at any time, and local enforcement can vary even when a headline BAC number looks familiar. Check with the local authority or your rental-car provider before driving. Regardless of the legal limit, zero alcohol is the safest choice if you plan to drive.