What is the drink driving limit in Ireland?

What the Law Says

The Road Traffic Act 2010 sets the legal limits for alcohol when driving in Ireland. These limits vary depending on the driver’s category — such as fully licensed, novice, professional, or under 21 — and whether alcohol is measured in blood or breath.

For most fully licensed drivers, the maximum permitted blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The equivalent breath alcohol limit is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

However, stricter limits apply to certain drivers: those who have held a full licence for less than two years (novice drivers), professional drivers (e.g., bus, truck, taxi), and anyone under 21 years of age. For these groups, the BAC limit is 20 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood — and zero tolerance applies to drivers under 21 in practice, as any detectable alcohol may lead to penalties.

It is illegal to drive, attempt to drive, or be in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle while over these limits.

Statutory Text

A person is guilty of an offence if he or she drives or attempts to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place while the concentration of alcohol in his or her blood exceeds 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

— Road Traffic Act 2010, s. 4 — Driving with excess alcohol

What to Do

Sources