The UK Drink-Drive Limit

Quick answer: In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the legal limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, which is 35 µg per 100 ml of breath or 107 mg per 100 ml of urine (0.08% BAC). Scotland is stricter at 50 mg per 100 ml of blood (22 µg breath, 67 mg urine, 0.05% BAC), in force since 5 December 2014. There is no separate lower limit for new drivers. There is no reliable number of pints or glasses that keeps you under the limit, because it depends on your weight, sex, what you have eaten and how quickly you drink.

The legal limits

UK drink-drive limits by test

Test	England, Wales and Northern Ireland	Scotland
Blood	80 mg per 100 ml	50 mg per 100 ml
Breath	35 µg per 100 ml	22 µg per 100 ml
Urine	107 mg per 100 ml	67 mg per 100 ml
As BAC	0.08%	0.05%

Comparison

How the limit compares with other countries

General limit for experienced drivers and the lower limit many countries apply to new or young drivers. Values from our driving laws database, verified August 2026.

Country	General limit	New / young drivers	Note
United Kingdom	0.08%	Same	Scotland BAC 0.05
Ireland	0.05%	0.02%	National roads 100
France	0.05%	0.02%	Some rural roads raised back to 90
Germany	0.05%	Zero (0.00)	No general motorway limit — advisory 130 km/h
Spain	0.05%	0.03%
Italy	0.05%	Zero (0.00)	IDP needed for non-EU licences
Netherlands	0.05%	0.02%	Some motorways 130 at night
Sweden	0.02%	Same	Some motorways 120
Norway	0.02%	Same
Poland	0.02%	Same
Czech Republic	Zero (0.00)	Same
Hungary	Zero (0.00)	Same

All 195 countries: drink-driving limits around the world · Europe in one table: driving in Europe.

Why it matters

Alcohol and crash risk

Impairment starts well below any legal limit: reaction time, judgement of speed and distance, and the ability to track moving objects all worsen with the first drink. Night-time crashes, when drink-driving is most common, are far more likely to be fatal — in Great Britain a collision at 4am is about five times as likely to kill as one at 8am (see what time of day most accidents happen). Local collision figures for every council are on the UK road accidents pages.

Questions

FAQ

How many pints can I drink and still drive in the UK?

There is no safe number. The same drink produces very different blood-alcohol levels in different people, and a pint of strong lager can hold almost three units. The only way to be sure you are under the limit is not to drink at all before driving.

How many units is the UK drink-drive limit?

The law sets a blood or breath concentration, not a number of units. As a rough guide the body clears about one unit an hour, but that varies and cannot be sped up by coffee, water or sleep. A pint of 5% beer is about 2.8 units and a 175 ml glass of 13% wine about 2.3 units.

Is the drink-drive limit lower for new drivers in the UK?

No. The same limit applies to every driver in Great Britain. New drivers do face a tougher points rule: six penalty points within two years of passing means the licence is revoked.

Is the Scottish drink-drive limit different?

Yes. Since 5 December 2014 Scotland has used 50 mg per 100 ml of blood (22 µg in breath), the same as most of Europe, while England, Wales and Northern Ireland still use 80 mg (35 µg).

Can I drive the morning after drinking?

Often not. Alcohol leaves the body slowly, and a late night can leave you over the limit the next morning. Plan the next day as part of the evening.

What is the penalty for drink-driving in England and Wales?

Driving or attempting to drive over the limit carries a minimum 12-month driving ban, an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison. A second conviction within ten years means at least a three-year ban. Causing death by careless driving while over the limit can now lead to life imprisonment.

This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Official source: GOV.UK, "The drink drive limit".