Drink-driving limits by country
Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
The legal alcohol limit for drivers, lower limits for new and professional drivers, roadside testing and penalties. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Blood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers | Lower limit for novice or young drivers | Limit for professional or commercial drivers | Random breath tests without suspicion | Maximum penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Driving after drinking alcohol, England & Wales: 0.08% (England, Wales); 0.05% Scotland Driving after drinking alcohol, Scotland: 0.05% (50 mg/100 ml) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | No, needs a reason | Driving after drinking alcohol, England & Wales: Up to life (death); 6 months for over limit |
| France | 0.05% (0.5 g/l) | 0.02% (0.2 g/l) on probationary licence | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes | Up to 3 yrs and EUR 9,000 (7 yrs if death) |
| Spain | 0.05% (0.5 g/l) | 0.03% for first 2 years | 0.03% for listed vehicles | ⚠ Not yet verified | Up to 1,000 euros and 6 points; prison and ban if criminal |
| Italy | 0.05% (0.5 g/l) | 0 (under 21 or first 3 years) | 0 (professional and heavy vehicles) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Up to 1 year arrest, EUR 6,000, 2-year suspension |
| United States | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | 0.04% (federal CDL drivers) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Canada | 0.08% (80 mg/100 ml) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes, mandatory screening | Up to 10 years; min. $1,000 fine |
| Mexico | 0.05% (0.25 mg/L breath) | Driving after drinking alcohol, Federal roads: ⚠ Not yet verified | Zero (passenger and cargo vehicles) | Driving after drinking alcohol, Federal roads: ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Ireland | 0.05% (50 mg/100 ml) | 0.02% (20 mg/100 ml) | 0.02% (20 mg/100 ml) | Yes, at Garda checkpoints | Up to €5,000 and/or 6 months |
| Australia | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Portugal | 0.05% (0.5 g/l) | 0.02% in first 3 years | 0.02% for listed vehicles | Yes | Crime from 1.2 g/l: up to 1 year in prison |
| Austria | 0.05% (0.5 g/l) | 0.1 g/l during probation | ⚠ Not yet verified | Breath tests at any time | At 1.6 g/l (0.8 mg/l breath) or more: fine of EUR 1,600 to EUR 5,900, or two to six weeks' substitute imprisonment (§ 99 Abs. 1 StVO); the same applies to refusing the test. From 1.2 g/l: EUR 1,200 to EUR 4,400. Impaired driving: EUR 800 to EUR 3,700. For 0.5 g/l or more under § 14 Abs. 8 FSG: EUR 300 to EUR 3,700 (§ 37a FSG). |
| Greece | 0.05% (0.5 g/l) | 0.02% novice and professional | 0.02% professional drivers | ⚠ Not yet verified | Prison and EUR 1,200 above 1.10 g/l |
| Switzerland | 0.05% (0.5 per mille) | Ban: 0.10 per mille blood / 0.05 mg/l breath | Ban: 0.10 per mille blood / 0.05 mg/l breath | Breath tests of any driver allowed | Fine at 0.5 per mille; up to 3 yrs prison at 0.8 |
| Denmark | 0.05% (0.5 per mille) | 0.02% in first 3 years (category B) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes, at any time | Fine; up to 18 months prison; ban above 1.2 per mille |
| Czechia | 0.00% (zero tolerance) | The same zero tolerance applies to every driver, including drivers of non-motorised vehicles. No separate novice limit is stated. | The same zero tolerance applies to every driver. No separate limit for professional drivers is stated. | ⚠ Not yet verified | Fine CZK 7,000-25,000; ban 6-18 months |
How to read the comparison
The table compares these points:
- Blood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers
- Lower limit for novice or young drivers
- Limit for professional or commercial drivers
- Random breath tests without suspicion
- Maximum penalties
Before you rely on it
This comparison covers national rules. Regional or local rules can apply on top of them, and rules change. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details before you act.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.