Drink & Drug Driving: UK Limits, Laws & Safety
Understand the legal alcohol limits, drug-driving laws, prescription medicine rules and the risks of driving while impaired. Free educational guidance for learner drivers, PDIs, ADIs and qualified drivers.
Driving laws can change. This guide should be used alongside current official GOV.UK guidance.
1. Legal Alcohol Limits
For drivers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the legal alcohol limits are:
Blood: 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
Breath: 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath
Urine: 107mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine
Scotland has lower legal alcohol limits.
There is no reliable way to calculate how many drinks will put an individual over the legal limit. Alcohol affects people differently depending on factors including body weight, age, sex, metabolism, what they have eaten and the amount and type of alcohol consumed.
Even alcohol levels below the legal limit can affect judgement, reaction time and driving ability.
The safest approach is simple: if you are driving, don't drink alcohol.
2. Drug-Driving
It is illegal to drive if:
>> You are unfit to drive because of legal or illegal drugs, or
>> You have certain specified illegal drugs in your blood above the legal limit.
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can affect your ability to drive. Do not drive if a medicine makes you unfit to drive, for example by causing drowsiness, impaired concentration or slower reactions.
For certain specified medicines, you may have a legal medical defence if the medicine was prescribed or supplied to you, you took it according to the instructions, and your driving was not impaired.
Police can use roadside screening tests for cannabis and cocaine and may use other methods to assess whether you are impaired by drugs. If necessary, you may be required to provide a blood or urine sample at a police station.
Always read medicine warnings and follow advice from your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional before driving.
3. Police Powers
The police can require a roadside breath test if:
>> They suspect you have been drinking alcohol;
>> You have committed a moving traffic offence; or
>> You have been involved in a road traffic collision.
Police can also carry out roadside drug screening or impairment assessments where they suspect drug-driving.
If required, you may then be taken to a police station and asked to provide an evidential breath, blood or urine specimen.
Failing to provide a required specimen without a reasonable excuse can be a criminal offence.
Cooperate with lawful roadside testing and police instructions.
4. Drink & Drug Driving Penalties
Drink-driving and drug-driving offences can result in serious penalties, including driving bans, fines, imprisonment and a criminal record, depending on the offence and circumstances.
A conviction can also lead to significantly higher insurance costs and may affect employment, particularly where driving is required.
Penalties vary depending on the offence. Always check the current GOV.UK guidance for the latest information.
5. Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Course
If you are convicted of a drink-driving offence, the court may offer you the opportunity to complete a Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) course.
You must be referred to the course by the court. You cannot simply choose to take the course afterwards to reduce your ban.
If you successfully complete an approved course by the required deadline, your driving ban can be reduced by up to one quarter (25%).
The course does not remove the conviction or other penalties imposed by the court.
6. Key Safety Messages
>> Never risk it. If you plan to drink alcohol, arrange alternative transport before you start drinking.
>> Legal and prescription drugs can still affect driving. Always check medicine warnings and follow medical advice.
>> Coffee, food, cold showers or sleep do not instantly remove alcohol from your body. Only time allows your body to process alcohol.
>> The morning after matters. You may still be over the legal alcohol limit or impaired the following morning.
>> If you are unsure whether you are safe and legal to drive, do not drive.
>> Cooperate with lawful roadside testing and police instructions.
7. Official & Reliable Resources
For the latest information on drink-driving and drug-driving laws, limits and penalties, use these sources:
GOV.UK – Drink-driving penalties
> GOV.UK – Drink-drive limit
> GOV.UK – Drug driving law
Sentencing Council – Motoring offences sentencing guidance
> GOV.UK – Penalties> Sentencing Council
Drinkaware
Alcohol information and safer-drinking guidance
> Drinkaware
Remember: being under the legal alcohol limit does not necessarily mean you are safe to drive. If you are driving, the safest choice is not to drink.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and relates primarily to England and Wales unless otherwise stated. Driving laws and guidance can change, so always check current GOV.UK guidance.
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