The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for driving vary by country and context:
- In the United States, the general legal limit is 0.08% BAC, meaning 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 mL of blood. Drivers under 21 or in zero-tolerance states may face stricter limits, often near 0.00% to 0.02% BAC. Commercial drivers have a lower limit of 0.04% BAC
- In Germany, the standard legal BAC limit for drivers is 0.5 mg of alcohol per mm of blood (0.05%). For novice drivers and those under 21, the limit is 0.0 mg/mm. Exceeding 0.5 mg/mm is an administrative offense with fines and driving bans, while 1.1 mg/mm and above is a criminal offense with harsher penalties
- In the Netherlands, the legal BAC limit is 0.5‰ (0.05%) for most drivers, and 0.2‰ (0.02%) for novice drivers and light moped riders
- Across Europe, many countries have limits around 0.05% BAC, with some zero-tolerance policies for young or professional drivers
Thus, the most common legal limit for alcohol while driving is 0.05% BAC in many European countries, and 0.08% BAC in the U.S., with lower limits for novice or professional drivers. Driving with a BAC above these limits can result in fines, license suspension, or criminal charges depending on the level and jurisdiction.
