Typical BAC Limits Around the World

Since 2002, it has been illegal in all 50 U.S. states for those over the age of 21 to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is 0.08% or higher (before 2002, the legal limit was 0.10%). In addition, some states include a lesser charge, typically called "driving while impaired," with a target BAC of 0.05%. 

But how do these limits compare with BAC limits in other countries – is the U.S. more or less lenient when in comes to driving under the influence of alcohol?

It turns out that most countries have far stricter BAC laws than the U.S., and there has been a downward trend in further decreasing the limits in an effort to curtail drinking and driving fatalities. 

In light of this, an intelligent consumer of alcohol would equip him or herself with a BACtrack Professional Grade Breathalyzer, which provides reliable and accurate BAC estimates in seconds. 

For some countries, laws are not standardized at the national level, but instead they vary by state or province, and they may also vary by the class of driver. For instance, the BAC limit is lower for new drivers, and/or professional drivers such as those that drive taxis and buses, and/or for those on motorbikes.

It turns out that most countries have far stricter BAC laws than the U.S., and there has been a downward trend in further decreasing the limits in an effort to curtail drinking and driving fatalities.

There are countries with a zero-tolerance policy and as such, it’s illegal to have any alcohol in the blood while driving in these countries. Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, and Romania, are just a few countries with this limit.

At the 0.02% BAC limit, you’ll find China, Estonia, Poland, Sweden and others, and countries with the 0.03% BAC limit include Serbia, Japan, and Uruguay. 

A .05% BAC legal limit is the most common and found in most Western European countries among others. Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, and others all have this legal limit. 

Joining the U.S. with a 08% BAC legal limit are Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, among others. 

Shop for BACtrack Professional Grade Breathalyzers now.