Drink-driving limits in the United Kingdom (2026)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026

In short: England, Wales and Northern Ireland use a limit of 0.08% blood alcohol; Scotland uses 0.05%. Police need a reason to require a preliminary breath test. Driving over the limit can bring up to 6 months in prison and a ban of at least 1 year.

RuleWhat applies
Blood alcohol limit for ordinary driversDriving after drinking alcohol; England and Wales0.08 % blood alcohol [1]
Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcohol⚠ Not yet verified
Limit for professional or commercial driversDriving after drinking alcohol⚠ Not yet verified
Random breath tests without suspicionDriving after drinking alcoholNo [2]
Maximum penaltiesDriving after drinking alcohol; England and WalesDriving or attempting to drive over the limit, or refusing a specimen: up to 6 months in prison, a fine and a ban of at least 1 year (gov.uk lists an unlimited fine; Scotland: up to GBP 5,000). Causing death by careless driving under the influence: up to life in prison. [3]
Blood alcohol limit for ordinary driversDriving after drinking alcohol; Scotland0.05 % blood alcohol [4]

Notes

  • In Scotland the limit is 0.05% (50 mg per 100 ml of blood, 22 microgrammes per 100 ml of breath) since 5 December 2014. The figure shown is for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  • No official source read on a lower limit for novice drivers.
  • No official source read on a lower limit for professional drivers.
  • Section 6 allows a preliminary breath test only on reasonable suspicion of alcohol, after a moving traffic offence, or after an accident.
  • The gov.uk page does not say which nations it covers. The Scottish maximum fine of GBP 5,000 comes from mygov.scot.
  • In Scotland the blood limit is 50 mg per 100 ml, which is 0.05%. The England and Wales limit is 0.08%.

Sources

  1. The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Road Traffic Act 1988, section 11 (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  2. The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Road Traffic Act 1988, section 6 (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  3. GOV.UK: Drink-driving penalties (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  4. King's Printer for Scotland: The Road Traffic Act 1988 (Prescribed Limit) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/328) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources

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