Drink-driving in the Australian Capital Territory (2026)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026

In short: The ACT sets the limit at 0.05% blood alcohol. Learner, provisional, probationary and restricted licence holders and drivers of heavy vehicles and public passenger vehicles may have no alcohol in their blood or breath. Police may require any driver to take an alcohol screening test.

RuleWhat applies
Blood alcohol limit for ordinary driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.05 % blood alcohol [1]
Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.00%: a learner, provisional, probationary or restricted licence holder is a special driver, for whom any alcohol (more than 0 g) is the prescribed concentration. [1]
Limit for professional or commercial driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.00%: drivers of vehicles with a GVM or GCM over 15 tonnes, of vehicles displaying dangerous goods placards and of public passenger vehicles are special drivers. [1]
Random breath tests without suspicionDriving after drinking alcoholYes [1]
Maximum penaltiesDriving after drinking alcoholFirst offender: up to 25 penalty units (AUD 4,000) at levels 1 and 2 (under 0.08); up to 50 penalty units (AUD 8,000), 6 months in prison or both at 0.08 to under 0.15; up to 75 penalty units (AUD 12,000), 9 months or both at 0.15 or more. Repeat offender: up to twice the fine and up to 6, 12 or 18 months. Licence disqualification is not covered here. [1]

Notes

  • Fines use a penalty unit of AUD 160 for an individual at 26 November 2025. The 'level' bands are in table 4E: level 3 is 0.08 to under 0.15 and level 4 is 0.15 or more.

Sources

  1. ACT Parliamentary Counsel: Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977 (republication 53, effective 26 November 2025) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Australian Capital Territory

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, mainly footpaths and shared paths
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 18+ within the limit · Growing at home: Yes, 2 plants per adult, 4 per home
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container deposit scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 years 9 months, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC present
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Same rights as bicycles
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (licence or permit needed)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent visa: ACT licence after 3 months
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without reasonable excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
  • MopedsLicence: Motorcycle licence (class R)
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted or untouched; L/P: no voice use
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, compulsory · Minimum alarms and where: On or near the ceiling in bedrooms or in the corridor that leads to bedrooms, installed as per the manufacturer's instructions and the National Construction Code. A multi-level home needs smoke alarms on each level, interconnected.
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
  • Towing trailers and caravansTrailer mass allowed with a car licence in any combination: Up to 9,000 kg GVM
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.