In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the drink drive limit is:
- 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (the blood limit')
- 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
- 107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
In Scotland, the drink-drive alcohol limit is reduced to:
- 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
- 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
- 67 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
It's impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equals as it's different for each person. The way alcohol affects you depends on various factors such as your weight, age, sex, metabolism, the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking, what you’ve eaten recently, and your stress levels at the time.
Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink carries a maximum penalty of a £2,500 fine, a three-month prison sentence, or a driving ban. Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink carries a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or a driving ban for at least one year (three years if convicted twice in 10 years) .
