Drink-driving limits around the world
Browse 47 countries and regions across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Limits are shown in grams per litre of blood (g/L), and each entry links to its source.
Same drink. Different rules.
Compare basic blood alcohol limits and rules for selected groups of drivers in 47 countries and regions of the world.
Slovakia
Novice drivers: 0.0 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.0 g/l
Czechia
Novice drivers: 0.0 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.0 g/l
Hungary
Novice drivers: 0.0 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.0 g/l
Romania
Novice drivers: 0.0 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.0 g/l
Poland
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
Sweden
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
Norway
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
Estonia
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
Lithuania
Novice drivers: 0.0 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.0 g/l
Austria
Novice drivers: 0.1 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.1 g/l
Germany
Novice drivers: 0.0 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.0 g/l
France
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.5 g/l
Bus drivers: 0.2 g/l.
SourceItaly
Novice drivers: 0.0 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.0 g/l
Croatia
Novice drivers: 0.0 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.0 g/l
Slovenia
Novice drivers: 0.0 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.0 g/l
Spain
Novice drivers: 0.3 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.3 g/l
For drivers under 18: 0.0 g/L. Check the current rules before travelling.
SourcePortugal
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
The Netherlands
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.5 g/l
Belgium
Novice drivers: 0.5 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
Finland
Novice drivers: 0.5 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.5 g/l
Ireland
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
England and Wales
Novice drivers: 0.8 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.8 g/l
Scotland
Novice drivers: 0.5 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.5 g/l
Switzerland
Novice drivers: 0.1 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.1 g/l
Bulgaria
Novice drivers: 0.5 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.5 g/l
Cyprus
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
Denmark
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.5 g/l
Greece
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
Latvia
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.5 g/l
Luxembourg
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
Malta
Novice drivers: 0.2 g/l
Professional drivers: 0.2 g/l
USA
Baseline for adults; Utah 0.5 g/l. There are stricter rules for people under 21 and professional drivers.
SourceUSA — Utah
Specific state limit; other categories of drivers have stricter rules.
SourceCanada
Criminal limit 80 mg/100 ml; it is not a uniform allowed tolerance. Provinces can apply sanctions already at lower values.
SourceBrazil
Zero tolerance under Brazil’s Lei Seca (Dry Law).
SourceArgentina
National law sets a zero alcohol limit. Also check the rules in the relevant jurisdiction.
SourceUruguay
Zero tolerance under Law No. 19.360.
SourceChile
Threshold for the “under the influence” category; from 0.8 g/L, the law classifies the condition as intoxication.
SourceAustralia
For a full driver's license. States and territories have stricter limits for beginners and some other categories.
SourceNew Zealand
For drivers aged 20 and over; the limit is zero for anyone under 20.
SourceSouth Africa
Basic blood limit; special categories may have stricter rules.
SourceSingapore
80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Driving under the influence may still be punishable below this threshold.
SourceHong Kong
Separate legal regime; 50 mg/100 ml of blood.
SourceChina
The threshold for driving under the influence is 20 mg/100 ml; from 80 mg/100 ml, the law classifies the condition as intoxication.
SourceSouth Korea
The legal limit for the ban on driving with a BAC of 0.03%.
SourceIndia
Limit 30 mg/100 ml according to the traffic police.
SourceJordan
Amendment Act of 2025; 0.05 g per 100 ml for ordinary drivers.
SourceNo country found for this selection.
Values are standardized to grams per litre of blood (g/L). They are not directly interchangeable with mass-based per mille (‰), and this directory does not compare legal limits with your calculator result. A legal limit does not mean that it is safe to drive. Exceptions and stricter rules may apply; check the current rules for your destination before travelling.
Is the same limit applicable throughout the European Union?
No. Rules vary by country and driver category. The overview covers a verified selection from several continents. It is not a complete database of all states or legal advice.
Source: ETSC – Blood Alcohol Content Limits across Europe. European figures come from ETSC; other data come from government, police and WHO sources. Each card links to its sources. Checked 12 October 2026; this is not a legal review of every local exception.
Drink-driving limits around the worldA legal limit is not a safety threshold
Being under a legal limit does not by itself mean that driving is safe. An online calculator is not a measurement or legal evidence.
Related topics
Open alcohol calculatorSources: NIAAA – Alcohol Metabolism · NIAAA – What Is a Standard Drink?