The Drunk Driving Limit in the USA

Quick answer: In every US state except Utah it is illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. Utah lowered its limit to 0.05% at the end of 2018. Drivers of commercial vehicles are limited to 0.04%, and every state has a zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21, typically 0.02% or lower. You can also be charged with impaired driving below these limits if alcohol affects your driving.

The legal limits

US drunk driving limits

Who	Legal limit (BAC)
Most drivers (49 states and DC)	0.08%
Utah	0.05%
Commercial drivers	0.04%
Drivers under 21	0.00–0.02% (zero tolerance)

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 States	0.08%	0.02%	Varies by state; Utah BAC 0.05
Canada	0.08%	Zero (0.00)	Provincial admin penalties from 0.05
United Kingdom	0.08%	Same	Scotland BAC 0.05
Mexico	0.08%	Same	BAC and limits vary by state
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
Sweden	0.02%	Same	Some motorways 120
Japan	0.03%	Same	Statutory 60 unless posted; 1949 IDP only
Australia	0.05%	Zero (0.00)	Limits vary by state/territory

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). State-by-state crash deaths are on the US car accidents by state pages.

Questions

FAQ

How many drinks is 0.08 BAC?

There is no reliable number. Body weight, sex, food, the strength of the drinks and how fast you drink all change the result, and a standard drink in the US holds 14 grams of alcohol. The only way to be sure is not to drink before driving.

Which state has the lowest drunk driving limit?

Utah, at 0.05% BAC since 30 December 2018. Every other state and Washington, DC use 0.08%.

What is the drunk driving limit for under-21 drivers?

Every state has a zero-tolerance law for drivers under the legal drinking age, usually set at 0.02% BAC or lower, so any measurable alcohol can lead to a licence suspension.

What is the limit for truck and bus drivers?

Federal rules set 0.04% BAC for anyone driving a commercial motor vehicle, half the general limit.

Are penalties the same in every state?

No. Fines, licence suspensions, ignition interlock requirements and jail terms are set by each state and rise sharply for repeat offences and high BAC levels.

This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Official sources: NHTSA and each state's department of motor vehicles.