Legal Blood Alcohol Limits for Driving Around the World
A ranked overview of legal BAC limits for driving — from 0.08% countries to zero tolerance, including novice and professional limits.
Drink-driving limits vary a lot between countries. The table below ranks countries from the highest general BAC limit to the lowest, with separate columns for novice and professional drivers where the rules differ.
Laws change. This overview is for general information only — always check official local sources before driving. Being under the limit does not mean it is safe to drive: impairment begins with the first drink.
How to read the table
- 0.05% = 0.5‰ (per mille) = 0.5 g/l
- General applies to most fully licensed drivers
- Novice usually covers new or young drivers
- Professional covers commercial, bus, taxi or truck drivers
- 0.00% means zero tolerance
| Rank | Country | General | Novice | Professional | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Provincial administrative sanctions commonly begin at 0.05%; novice/commercial rules vary. |
| 2 | Kenya | 0.08% | — | — | |
| 3 | Mexico | 0.08% | — | 0.04% | Limits and sanctions vary by state; this is the common federal reference. |
| 4 | Singapore | 0.08% | — | — | |
| 5 | United Kingdom (England, Wales & N. Ireland) | 0.08% | — | — | |
| 6 | United States | 0.08% | 0.02% | 0.04% | State rules vary: Utah's general threshold is 0.05%; under-21 rules can be stricter than shown. |
| 7 | Australia | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.02% | State and territory rules vary; novice drivers are generally zero-limit. |
| 8 | Austria | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.01% | |
| 9 | Belgium | 0.05% | — | 0.02% | |
| 10 | Bolivia | 0.05% | — | — | |
| 11 | Bulgaria | 0.05% | — | — | |
| 12 | Cambodia | 0.05% | — | — | |
| 13 | Croatia | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 14 | Cyprus | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | |
| 15 | Denmark | 0.05% | 0.02% | — | Lower novice limit applies during the first three licence years. |
| 16 | Finland | 0.05% | — | — | |
| 17 | France | 0.05% | 0.02% | — | |
| 18 | Germany | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero limit applies under 21 and during the probationary period. |
| 19 | Greece | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | |
| 20 | Ireland | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | |
| 21 | Israel | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.01% | Lower threshold applies to young, novice and professional drivers. |
| 22 | Italy | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 23 | Latvia | 0.05% | 0.02% | — | |
| 24 | Luxembourg | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | |
| 25 | Malaysia | 0.05% | — | — | |
| 26 | Malta | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | |
| 27 | Netherlands | 0.05% | 0.02% | — | |
| 28 | New Zealand | 0.05% | 0.00% | — | Zero alcohol for drivers under 20. |
| 29 | North Macedonia | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 30 | Panama | 0.05% | — | — | |
| 31 | Peru | 0.05% | — | 0.03% | |
| 32 | Philippines | 0.05% | — | 0.01% | |
| 33 | Portugal | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.02% | |
| 34 | Slovenia | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 35 | South Africa | 0.05% | — | 0.02% | |
| 36 | Spain | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.03% | Spain has announced a lower future limit; this reflects the currently enforceable threshold at review date. |
| 37 | Switzerland | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.01% | |
| 38 | Thailand | 0.05% | 0.02% | — | Lower limit applies to drivers under 20 and some provisional licence holders. |
| 39 | Turkey | 0.05% | — | 0.00% | Private-car limit shown; commercial and other vehicle classes are zero-limit. |
| 40 | United Kingdom (Scotland) | 0.05% | — | — | |
| 41 | Armenia | 0.04% | — | — | |
| 42 | Lithuania | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 43 | Paraguay | 0.04% | — | — | |
| 44 | Belarus | 0.03% | — | — | |
| 45 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 46 | Chile | 0.03% | — | — | |
| 47 | Ecuador | 0.03% | — | 0.01% | |
| 48 | Georgia | 0.03% | — | — | |
| 49 | India | 0.03% | — | — | |
| 50 | Japan | 0.03% | — | — | |
| 51 | Moldova | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 52 | Montenegro | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 53 | South Korea | 0.03% | — | — | |
| 54 | China | 0.02% | — | — | |
| 55 | Colombia | 0.02% | — | — | Sanctions begin above 0.02% BAC. |
| 56 | Estonia | 0.02% | — | — | |
| 57 | Iceland | 0.02% | — | — | |
| 58 | Mongolia | 0.02% | — | — | |
| 59 | Morocco | 0.02% | — | — | |
| 60 | Norway | 0.02% | — | — | |
| 61 | Poland | 0.02% | — | — | |
| 62 | Serbia | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 63 | Sweden | 0.02% | — | — | |
| 64 | Ukraine | 0.02% | — | — | |
| 65 | Albania | 0.01% | — | — | |
| 66 | Argentina | 0.00% | — | — | National zero-alcohol law; enforcement details can vary. |
| 67 | Azerbaijan | 0.00% | — | — | |
| 68 | Brazil | 0.00% | — | — | Zero-tolerance law; evidential and penalty thresholds are separate. |
| 69 | Czech Republic | 0.00% | — | — | |
| 70 | Hungary | 0.00% | — | — | |
| 71 | Indonesia | 0.00% | — | — | Alcohol-impaired driving is prohibited; no permissive BAC threshold. |
| 72 | Kazakhstan | 0.00% | — | — | |
| 73 | Romania | 0.00% | — | — | |
| 74 | Slovakia | 0.00% | — | — | |
| 75 | United Arab Emirates | 0.00% | — | — | |
| 76 | Uruguay | 0.00% | — | — | |
| 77 | Vietnam | 0.00% | — | — |
“—” means the same as the general limit. Reviewed October 2026; verify with official local sources.
Key takeaways
- 0.08% is the highest common limit, used in places like the US (most states), Canada (criminal limit) and the UK outside Scotland.
- 0.05% is the most common general limit across Europe and Australia.
- Many countries use 0.02% or lower, and some enforce zero tolerance for everyone.
- New and professional drivers often face much stricter limits.
Not sure how quickly your body clears alcohol? Read how BAC is calculated. And remember: if there is any doubt, don't drive.
SoberClock provides estimates and educational information, not medical or legal advice.