Published November 2026.
The UK doesn’t have one drink drive limit. Scotland’s is lower than the rest of the UK’s, and the government has consulted on lowering the limit in England and Wales too. This guide sets out the limits, explains why you can’t count your way to staying under them, and covers the morning after and the penalties.
The drink drive limit in the UK
| Measure | England, Wales and Northern Ireland | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| Breath (micrograms of alcohol per 100ml) | 35 | 22 |
| Blood (milligrams per 100ml) | 80 | 50 |
| Urine (milligrams per 100ml) | 107 | 67 |
These are the limits on GOV.UK. Scotland lowered its limit on 5 December 2014, so the same drinks that keep you under the limit in England could put you over it across the border. The Scottish Government is clear that driving over 22 micrograms in Scotland is a crime.
The short answer: how much can I drink and drive?
There’s no safe number of drinks. The only way to be sure you’re under the limit is not to drink at all if you’re driving. GOV.UK says it’s impossible to say exactly how many drinks will put you over the limit: it’s different for each person, and depends on:
- your weight, age, sex and metabolism;
- the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking;
- what you’ve eaten recently;
- your stress levels at the time.
Even below the limit, alcohol slows your reactions and affects your judgement, and you can still be prosecuted if police think you’re unfit to drive.
Will I be over the limit the morning after?
Quite possibly. Your body gets rid of alcohol slowly, and sleep, coffee or a cold shower don’t speed it up. Police Scotland regularly warns that drivers who feel fine after a night’s sleep can still be over the limit, and police forces across the UK catch morning-after drivers in every winter campaign. If you’ve had a heavy night, don’t drive the next morning: arrange a lift or use public transport.
Drink driving penalties
The penalties on GOV.UK depend on the offence:
| Offence | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit or unfit | 3 months’ prison, a fine of up to £2,500 and a possible ban |
| Driving or attempting to drive over the limit or unfit | 6 months’ prison, an unlimited fine and a ban of at least 1 year (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years) |
| Refusing to give a breath, blood or urine sample | 6 months’ prison, an unlimited fine and a ban of at least 1 year |
| Causing death by careless driving under the influence | Life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a ban of at least 5 years and an extended retest |
A conviction also stays on your licence for 11 years and makes insurance much more expensive. High-risk offenders don’t get their licence back automatically at the end of the ban, and a conviction can make it harder to travel to some countries, such as the USA. A court may offer a drink-drive rehabilitation course, which can shorten a ban of 12 months or more.
Our guide to how long points and offences stay on your licence explains the endorsement codes.
Is the drink drive limit in England and Wales changing?
Not yet. The England and Wales limit has been unchanged since the late 1960s and, according to the government’s Road Safety Strategy published in January 2026, it’s the highest in Europe. The strategy noted that 1 in 6 road deaths in 2023 were in drink drive collisions.
The government’s consultation on penalties for motoring offences asked whether the limit in England and Wales should be lowered, whether novice drivers should have an even lower limit, whether alcohol interlocks (devices that stop a car starting until the driver passes a breath test) should be used, and whether police should be able to suspend the licence of a driver suspected of drink or drug driving until they go to court. It closed on 11 May 2026. As of early November 2026, the government hadn’t published its response, so the current limits still apply. Any change would need new legislation.
Buying a car after a ban?
If you’re getting back on the road after a ban, the usual checks still apply. A full car history check shows whether a used car has been stolen, written off or still has finance owing, and our MOT history check is free. See Silver and Gold check prices, and our used car checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the drink drive limit in the UK?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, 80mg per 100ml of blood or 107mg per 100ml of urine. In Scotland: 22, 50 and 67.
How many pints can I drink and drive?
There’s no safe number. How alcohol affects you depends on your body, the drink’s strength and what you’ve eaten. The only safe option is not to drink if you’re driving.
Is the drink drive limit lower in Scotland?
Yes. Scotland lowered its limit on 5 December 2014 to 22 micrograms per 100ml of breath and 50mg per 100ml of blood.
Is the drink drive limit changing in England?
The government consulted on lowering it, and on a lower limit for novice drivers, in a consultation that closed on 11 May 2026. No decision had been published by early November 2026, so the current limit still applies.
How long is a drink driving ban?
At least 12 months for driving over the limit, and at least 3 years if you’re convicted twice in 10 years.
- GOV.UK: the drink drive limit
- GOV.UK: drink driving penalties
- mygov.scot: drink-drive limit in Scotland
- Department for Transport: Road Safety Strategy (January 2026)
- GOV.UK: proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences (consultation, closed 11 May 2026)
- How long do points stay on your licence?
Buying a used car? Check its MOT history for free with our MOT history check.
