New drink drive limit UK: what is the legal alcohol limit as Government consults on road safety laws shake up
Long-established rules of the road are under review and could quietly change how drivers plan nights out 🚗
- The Government is consulting on lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales for the first time since the 1960s
- The current limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, but it could be cut to match Scotland’s lower level
- Ministers say the change would form part of a wider push to cut road deaths and serious injuries
- A lower limit would mean even one small drink could put some drivers close to, or over, the legal limit
- The Government says evidence from Scotland suggests pubs would not be harmed by the change
Familiar, long-standing rules for drivers in England and Wales may soon change as the Government consults on a major shake-up of road safety laws, including lowering the drink-drive limit for the first time since the 1960s.
If that happens, it could quietly change what a “safe” night out looks like for millions of motorists. Here’s what’s being proposed, why it matters, and what it could mean for drivers...
What is the current drink-drive limit in the UK?
At the moment, the drink-drive limit depends on where you live in the UK.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath (or 80mg per 100ml of blood). This is one of the highest legal limits in Europe, shared only with Malta.
In Scotland, the limit is already lower. Since 2014, it has been 22 micrograms per 100ml of breath (50mg per 100ml of blood).
That means a driver could technically be over the limit in Scotland, but still legal in England, even if they drank the same amount.
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Is the drink-drive limit likely to change?
The Government has confirmed it is consulting on lowering the limit in England and Wales to 22 micrograms, bringing it into line with Scotland.
This would form part of a new road safety strategy, the first in more than a decade, aimed at cutting road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, and by 70% for children under 16.
No final decision has been made yet. The proposal will go through a formal consultation process, where evidence from experts, safety groups and the public will be considered.
Why is the Government looking at this now?
Ministers argue that progress on road safety has stalled, and that tougher, more modern measures are needed. Alongside the drink-drive proposals, the strategy also looks at:
- New powers to suspend driving licences for people suspected of drink- or drug-driving
- The use of alcohol interlock devices, which stop a car starting if the driver blows over the limit
- Mandatory testing for drivers aged over 70, including eyesight checks
- Possible cognitive testing for all road users
- A minimum three- or six-month learning period before learner drivers can take a practical test
- Cracking down on illegal number plates, uninsured drivers and vehicles without a valid MOT
The overall aim is to reduce deaths and serious injuries, particularly on rural roads and among high-risk groups.
What would a lower drink-drive limit mean for drivers?
In practical terms, a lower limit would make the message clearer: any alcohol before driving is risky.
While everyone processes alcohol differently, many drivers would find that one small drink could put them close to or over the new limit, especially if it’s stronger than expected or consumed on an empty stomach. The safest option would be to avoid alcohol entirely if you plan to drive.
The Government says it does not want to stop people socialising or going to pubs – just to encourage different choices, such as public transport, taxis, designated drivers, or low- and no-alcohol drinks.
What about concerns over pubs, especially in rural areas?
One of the most common objections to a lower drink-drive limit is that it could harm pubs, particularly in rural communities where driving is often unavoidable.
Transport ministers have pushed back on this. They point to evidence from Scotland, including studies by the University of Stirling and the University of Bath, which found no significant long-term impact on the pub trade after the limit was lowered in 2014.
Ministers also argue that the growth of low-alcohol options and social changes mean people are already adapting how they drink on nights out.
Should drivers expect change?
Nothing is confirmed yet, but with England and Wales already out of step with much of Europe, and Scotland used as a domestic example, a lower drink-drive limit could be firmly on the table.