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BAC Legal Limits Around the World: A Country-by-Country Guide

BACalc Team·

Drink-driving laws vary dramatically from country to country. Knowing the legal BAC limit at your destination is essential if you plan to drive after consuming any alcohol.

Common Legal Thresholds

Most countries set their legal BAC limit at one of three levels:

  • 0.00% – Zero-tolerance countries like Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Hungary.
  • 0.05% – The most common global standard, used across most of Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
  • 0.08% – Used in the United States, England, Wales, and a handful of other jurisdictions.

Country-by-Country Overview

Zero Tolerance (0.00 – 0.02%)

Countries with zero or near-zero limits include Brazil (0.00%), Czech Republic (0.00%), Hungary (0.00%), Romania (0.00%), and the UAE (0.00%). Japan sets its limit at 0.03%, which is effectively a near-zero policy.

Low Threshold (0.03 – 0.05%)

Many European and Asian nations use limits in this range: China (0.02%), India (0.03%), Poland (0.02%), Norway (0.02%), Sweden (0.02%), and most of continental Europe at 0.05% — including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Austria.

Standard Threshold (0.08%)

The United States, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland all use a 0.08% limit. Scotland lowered its limit to 0.05% in 2014. Canada recently moved from 0.08% to effectively 0.08% federally, though some provinces enforce lower limits.

Penalties for Exceeding the Limit

Consequences range from fines and license suspension to imprisonment. Many countries apply escalating penalties based on how far over the limit a driver tests:

  • First offense: Fines typically start at several hundred dollars, with potential short-term license suspensions.
  • Repeat offenses: Can result in longer bans, vehicle impoundment, mandatory alcohol education, or jail time.
  • High BAC (> 0.15%): Many jurisdictions apply enhanced penalties when BAC is significantly above the legal limit.

The Safest Approach

Regardless of local laws, the safest option is to not drink and drive at all. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair reaction time and judgment. Use a designated driver, taxi, or rideshare whenever you plan to drink.