Drink Driving Limit in the UK & Worldwide

Drink Driving Limits Worldwide

What is the legal drink driving limit in the UK?

What is the drink driving limit in England & Wales, UK?
The maximum BAC (blood alcohol content) limit in England & Wales is: 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; or 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
What is the drink driving limit in Scotland, UK?
The maximum BAC (blood alcohol content) limit in Scotland is: 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; or 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or 67 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine

What is the drink driving limit in England & Wales, UK?

The maximum BAC (blood alcohol content) limit in England & Wales is:

35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; or

80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or

107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine

What is the drink driving limit in Scotland, UK?

The maximum BAC (blood alcohol content) limit in Scotland is:

22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; or

50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or

67 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine

What are the legal drink driving limits in foreign countries?

Below is a list of countries and jurisdictions worldwide and the corresponding maximum legal permissible BAC limit for each country / jurisdiction. The BAC (blood alcohol content) limit defines the maximum legal amount of alcohol that is permitted to be in the blood for people to legally drive in each country and jurisdiction.

BAC limits can also be referred to as 'drink driving limits', 'drunk driving limits' or 'drink drive limits'. It is a criminal offence to drive with a blood alcohol content that is above the legal limit and the punishments and penalties for doing so can be severe!

A person’s BAC level measures the amount of alcohol in the blood, by recording the milligrams of ethanol per milliliters of blood. Most countries around the world have maximum legal BAC limits.

The legal BAC limits listed for each country are based on the maximum legal prescribed limit allowed for the average adult driver. Lower legal limits may be set in certain countries for inexperienced drivers, young drivers or professional drivers.

NOTE: The BAC limit table below shows the maximum permissible legal alcohol level for the average adult experienced driver.

Please be aware than many countries often have additional lower BAC limits for young drivers, inexperienced drivers and professional drivers etc.

NL = No set BAC (blood alcohol content) limit
AP = Alcohol Prohibited
ZT = Zero Tolerance

International BAC (blood alcohol concentration) Limits

Country	Limit %
Afghanistan	0.00 - ZT
Source: World Health Organization - (Afghanistan)
Albania	0.01
Source: N/A
Algeria	0.01
Source: World Health Organization - Alcohol Policy Report - (Algeria)
American Samoa	0.08
Source: American Samoa Bar Association - (American Samoa)
Angola	0.06
Source: World Health Organization - (Angola)
Anguilla	unknown
Source: N/A
Antigua and Barbuda	0.08
Source: N/A
Argentina	0.05
Source: International Centre for Alcohol Policies - (Argentina)
Armenia	0.00 - ZT
Source: World Health Organization - (Armenia)
Aruba	0.05
Source: N/A
Australia	0.05
Source: Victoria State Government, VicRoads - (Australia)
Austria	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Austria)
Azerbaijan	0.00 - ZT
Source: The Australian Government's travel advisory service - (Azerbaijan)
Bahamas	0.08
Source: Government of the Bahamas (Highway Code)
Bahrain	0.00 - ZT
Source: U.S Department of State - (Bahrain)
Bangladesh	0.00
Source: Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division - (Bangladesh)
Barbados	0.00 - ZT
Source: N/A
Belarus	0.00 - ZT
Source: The Australian Government's travel advisory service - (Belarus)
Belgium	0.05
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs ie - (Belgium)
Belize	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Belize)
Benin	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Benin)
Bermuda	0.08
Source: N/A
Bhutan	NL
Source: World Health Organization - (Bhutan)
Bolivia	0.07
Source: World Health Organization - (Bolivia)
Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.03
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs ie - (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Botswana	0.08
Source: Dunedin City Council - (Botswana)
Brazil	0.00 - ZT
Source: The Australian Government's travel advisory service - (Brazil)
British Virgin Islands	0.08
Source: The World Factbook - Overseas Territory of the UK - UK Law - (British Virgin Islands)
Brunei	NL - AP
Source: N/A
Bulgaria	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Bulgaria)
Burkina Faso	NL
Source: The World Health Organization - (Burkina Faso)
Burma (Myanmar)	unknown
Source: N/A
Burundi	unknown
Source: N/A
Cambodia	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Cambodia)
Cameroon	0.08
Source: The World Health Organization (Cameroon)
Canada	0.08
Source: Government of Canada, Transport Canada - (Canada)
Cape Verde	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Cape Verde)
Cayman Islands	0.10
Source: U.S Department of State - (Cayman Islands)
Central African Republic	0.08
Source: The World Health Organization - (Central African Republic)
Chad	unknown
Source: N/A
Chile	0.05
Source: The World Health Organization - (Chile)
China	0.02
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine - (China)
Christmas Island	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Territory of Australia - Australia Law - (Christmas Island)
*Cocos (Keeling) Islands*	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Territory of Australia - Australia Laws - (Cocos (Keeling) Islands)
Colombia	0.02
Source: Presidencia de la Republica - (Colombia)
Comoros	NL
Source: The World Health Organization - (Comoros)
Cook Islands	0.08
Source: Australian Government - (Cook Islands)
Coral Sea Islands	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Territory of Australia - Australia Laws - (Coral Sea Islands)
Costa Rica	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Costa Rica)
Côte d'Ivoire	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Côte d'Ivoire)
Croatia	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Croatia)
Cuba	0.04
Source: Government of Canada - (Cuba)
Cyprus	0.05
Source: Cyprus Police Force - (Cyprus)
Czech Republic	0.00 - ZT
Source: Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic - (Czech Republic)
Democratic Republic of the Congo	NL
Source: The World Health Organization - (The Congo)
Denmark	0.05
Source: Danish National Police - (Denmark)
Dhekelia	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Laws of Cyprus - (Dhekelia)
Djibouti	unknown
Source: N/A
Dominica	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Dominica)
Dominican Republic	NL
Source: The World Health Organization - (Dominican Republic)
East Timor	unknown
Source: N/A
Ecuador	0.07
Source: World Health Organization - (Ecuador)
Egypt	unknown
Source: N/A
El Salvador	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (El Salvador)
Equatorial Guinea	0.00 - ZT
Source: World Health Organization - (Equatorial Guinea)
Eritrea	0.00 - ZT
Source: World Health Organization - (Eritrea)
Estonia	0.02
Source: European Commission - Road Safety - (Estonia)
Ethiopia	NL
Source: World Health Organization - (Ethiopia)
Falkland Islands	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Overseas Territory of the UK - UK Law - (Falkland Islands)
Faroe Islands	0.05
Source: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - (Faroe Islands)
Fiji	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Fiji)
Finland	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Finland)
France	0.05
Source: French Ministry of Foreign Affairs - (France)
French Guiana	0.05
Source: N/A
French Polynesia	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Overseas Land of France - French Law - (French Polynesia)
French Southern and Antarctic Lands	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Laws of France - (French Southern and Antarctic Lands)
Gabon	NL
Source: The World Health Organization - (Gabon)
Gambia	0.00 - ZT
Source: World Health Organization - (Gambia)
Georgia	0.00 - ZT
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs ie - (Georgia)
Germany	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Germany)
Ghana	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Ghana)
Gibraltar	0.08
Source: Gibraltar Government Legislation - Traffic Act 2005 - (Gibraltar)
Greece	0.05
Source: Universitat de Barcelona - (Greece)
Greenland	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Denmark Laws Apply - (Greenland)
Grenada	0.08
Source: N/A
Guadeloupe	0.05
Source: N/A
Guam	0.08
Source: N/A
Guatemala	0.08
Source: Dunedin City Council - (Guatemala)
Guernsey	0.08
Source: States of Guernsey Government - (Guernsey)
Guinea	0.00 - ZT
Source: The World Health Organization - (Guinea)
Guinea-Bissau	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Guinea-Bissau)
Guyana	0.01
Source: World Health Organisation - (Guyana)
Haiti	unknown
Source: N/A
Heard Island and McDonald Islands	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Laws of Australia - (Heard Island and McDonald Islands)
Holland	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Netherlands/Holland)
Honduras	0.07
Source: World Health Organization - (Honduras)
Hong Kong	0.05
Source: N/A
Howland Island	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Laws of the US - (Howland Island)
Hungary	0.00 - ZT
Source: European Commission - (Hungary)
Iceland	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Iceland)
India	0.03
Source: Government of India \| Department of Transport and Highways - (India)
Indonesia	NL
Source: World Health Organization - (Indonesia)
Iran	0.00 - ZT
Source: World Health Organization - (Iran)
Iraq	0.00 - ZT
Source: Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs - (Iraq)
Ireland	0.05
Source: Houses of The Oireachtas [National Parliament] - (Ireland)
Isle of Man	0.08
Source: IM Government - (Isle of Man)
Israel	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Israel)
Italy	0.05
Source: Automobile Club d'Italia - (Italy)
Jamaica	0.08
Source: Jamaica National Road Safety Council - (Jamaica)
Jan Mayen	0.02
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency [Laws of Norway] - (Jan Mayen)
Japan	0.03
Source: U.S Department of State - (Japan)
Jarvis Island	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency [Laws of the U.S apply] - (Jarvis Island)
Jersey	0.08
Source: States of Jersey Government Information & Public Services - (Jersey)
Johnston Atoll	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency [Laws of the U.S Apply] - (Johnston Atoll)
Jordan	0.00 - ZT
Source: The World Health Organization - (Jordan)
Kazakhstan	0.00 - ZT
Source: Australian Government's Travel Advisory Service - (Kazakhstan)
Kenya	0.08
Source: Dunedin City Council - (Kenya)
Kingman Reef	0,08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency [Laws of the U.S Apply] - (Kingman Reef)
Kiribati	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Kiribati)
Kosovo	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Kosovo)
Kuwait	AP - ZT
Source: U.S Department of State - (Kuwait)
Kyrgyzstan	0.05
Source: The World Health Organization - (Kyrgyzstan)
Laos	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency [Legal System Based on French Law] - (Laos)
Latvia	0.05
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs ie - (Latvia)
Lebanon	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Lebanon)
Lesotho	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Lesotho)
Liberia	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Liberia)
Libya	AP
Source: Australian Government's Travel Advisory Service - (Libya)
Liechtenstein	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Liechtenstein)
Lithuania	0.04
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs ie - (Lithuania)
Luxembourg	0.08
Source: International Centre for Alcohol Policies - (Luxembourg)
Macau	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Portuguese Law - (Macau)
Macedonia	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Macedonia)
Madagascar	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Madagascar)
Malawi	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Malawi)
Malaysia	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Malaysia)
Maldives	AP
Source: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada - (Maldives)
Mali	0.03
Source: World Health Organization - (Mali)
Malta	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Malta)
Manitoba	0.05
Source: Manitoba Government Legislation - (Manitoba)
Mariana Islands	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - US Law - (Mariana Islands)
Marshall Islands	unknown
Source: N/A
Martinique	0.05
Source: N/A
Mauritania	unknown
Source: N/A
Mauritius	0.05
Source: The World Health Organization - (Mauritius)
Mayotte	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Collectivity of France - French Law - (Mayotte)
Mexico	0.08
Source: Dunedin City Council - (Mexico)
Micronesia	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Micronesia)
Midway Islands	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Laws of the US - (Midway Islands)
Moldova	0.00
Source: The Australian Government's travel advisory service - (Moldova)
Monaco	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Legal System based on French Law - (Monaco)
Mongolia	0.02
Source: World Health Organization - (Mongolia)
Montenegro	0.03
Source: U.S Department of State - (Montenegro)
Montserrat	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - English Law - (Montserrat)
Morocco	0.02
Source: World Health Organization - (Morocco)
Mozambique	0.06
Source: World Health Organization - (Mozambique)
Namibia	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Namibia)
Nauru	unknown
Source: N/A
Navassa Island	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Laws of the US - (Navassa Island)
Nepal	0.00 - ZT
Source: World Health Organization - (Nepal)
Netherlands	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Netherlands)
New Caledonia	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Collectivity of France - French Law - (New Caledonia)
New Zealand	0.05
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency - (New Zealand)
Nicaragua	0.08
Source: Dunedin City Council - (Nicaragua)
Niger	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Niger)
Nigeria	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Nigeria)
Niue	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Niue)
Norfolk Island	unknown
Source: N/A
North Korea	0.05
Source: Korea Times News Article - (North Korea)
Norway	0.02
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs ie - (Norway)
Oman	0.00 - ZT
Source: N/A
Pakistan	AP
Source: N/A
Palau	0.01
Source: World Health Organization - (Palau)
Palestinian Territories	unknown
Source: N/A
Palmyra Atoll	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Laws of the US - (Palmyra Atoll)
Panama	0.00 - ZT
Source: World Health Organization - (Panama)
Papua New Guinea	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - English Common Law - (Papua New Guinea)
Paracel Islands	unknown
Source: N/A
Paraguay	0.08
Source: Dunedin City Council - (Paraguay)
Peru	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Peru)
Philippines	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Philippines)
Pitcairn Islands	0.08
Source: N/A
Poland	0.02
Source: Government Website - (Poland)
Portugal	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Portugal)
Puerto Rico	0.08
Source: N/A
Qatar	0.00 - ZT
Source: U.S Department of State - (Qatar)
Reunion	0.05
Source: N/A
Romania	0.00 - ZT
Source: European Commission - (Romania)
Russia	0.00 - ZT
Source: U.S Department of State - (Russia)
Rwanda	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Rwanda)
Saint Barthelemy	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - French Law - (Saint Barthelemy)
Saint Helena	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - UK Law - (Saint Helena)
Saint Kitts and Nevis	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
Saint Lucia	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - English Common Law - (Saint Lucia)
Saint Martin	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - French Law - (Saint Martin)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - French Law - (Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - English Common Law - (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Samoa	0.04
Source: World Health Organization - (Samoa)
San Marino	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (San Marino)
São Tomé and Príncipe	NL
Source: World Health Organization - (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Saudi Arabia	AP - ZT
Source: U.S Department of State - (Saudi Arabia)
Senegal	unknown
Source: N/A
Serbia	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Serbia)
Seychelles	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Seychelles)
Sierra Leone	unknown
Source: N/A
Singapore	0.08
Source: Singapore Government - (Singapore)
Slovakia	0.00 - ZT
Source: European Commission - Road Safety - (Slovakia)
Slovenia	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Slovenia)
Solomon Islands	0.08
Source: N/A
Somalia	unknown
Source: N/A
South Africa	0.05
Source: South Africa Government - National Road Traffic Act - (South Africa)
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - UK Laws Apply - (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)
South Korea	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (South Korea)
Spain	0.05
Source: WHO (World Health Organization) - (Spain)
Spratly Islands	unknown
Source: N/A
Sri Lanka	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Sri Lanka)
States of Micronesia	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (States of Micronesia)
Sudan	0.00 - ZT
Source: N/A
Suriname	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Suriname)
Svalbard	0.02
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Norway Laws Apply - (Svalbard)
Swaziland	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Swaziland)
Sweden	0.02
Source: European Road Safety Observatory - (Sweden)
Switzerland	0.05
Source: U.S Department of State - (Switzerland)
Syria	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Syria)
Taiwan	0.03
Source: The China Post - (Taiwan)
Tajikistan	0.00 - ZT
Source: The Australian Government's travel advisory service - (Tajikistan)
Tanzania	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Tanzania)
Thailand	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Thailand)
The Congo	NL
Source: World Health Organization - (The Congo)
Timor Leste	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Timor Leste)
Togo	NL
Source: World Health Organization - (Togo)
Tokelau	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - Territory of New Zealand - NZ Law - (Tokelau)
Tonga	0.08
Source: N/A
Trinidad and Tobago	0.08
Source: N/A
Tunisia	0.00 - ZT
Source: N/A
Turkey	0.05
Source: WHO (World Health Organization) - (Turkey)
Turkmenistan	0.00 - ZT
Source: The Australian Government's travel advisory service - (Turkmenistan)
Turks and Caicos Islands	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - English Common Laws - (Turks and Caicos Islands)
Tuvalu	0.08
Source: N/A
Uganda	0.08
Source: Dunedin City Council - (Uganda)
UK - England and Wales	0.08
Source: Road Traffic Act 1988 - (UK (England & Wales))
UK - Scotland	0.05
Source: Government Legislation - (UK Scotland)
Ukraine	0.00 - ZT
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs ie - (Ukraine)
United Arab Emirates	0.00 - ZT
Source: U.S Department of State - (United Arab Emirates)
United States	0.08
Source: Governors Highway Safety Association - (United States)
Uruguay	0.08
Source: Dunedin City Council - (Uruguay)
Uzbekistan	0.00 - ZT
Source: U.S Department of State - (Uzbekistan)
Vanuatu	NL
Source: N/A
Venezuela	0.05
Source: World Health Organization - (Venezuela)
Vietnam	0.05
Source: The Law Library of Congress - (Vietnam)
Virgin Islands	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - US Laws - (Virgin Islands)
Wake Island	0.08
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - US Laws Apply - (Wake Island)
Wallis and Futuna	0.05
Source: CIA Central Intelligence Agency - French Laws Apply - (Wallis and Futuna)
West Bank	unknown
Source: N/A
Western Sahara	unknown
Source: N/A
Yemen	0.00 - ZT
Source: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada - (Yemen)
Zambia	0.08
Source: World Health Organization - (Zambia)
Zimbabwe	0.08
Source: Dunedin City Council - (Zimbabwe)

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