Rules of the Road · Victoria

Zero BAC in Victoria: Who Must Be at 0.00 and What Drink Driving Costs You

Quick facts
  • Zero BAC applies to learner permit holders and P1 and P2 drivers. There is no exception.
  • It also applies to restricted motorcycle licence holders, taxi, bus and large-vehicle drivers, professional driving instructors and some full licence holders with a past drink-driving conviction.
  • All other full licence holders, including supervising drivers, must stay below 0.05.
  • It is illegal to drink alcohol while driving or while supervising a learner.

BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is the grams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. A BAC of .05 means 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres. A driver at .05 has about double the risk of a crash, and for inexperienced drivers the risk above zero is even higher.

Things that change your BAC

  • Body size and gender.
  • Whether you have eaten.
  • How fast you drink and what you drink.
  • General health and other drugs.

Only time lowers your BAC. Coffee, cold showers, exercise or fresh air do not. If you drank a lot last night you may still have alcohol in your blood in the morning.

Penalties

  • A drink-driving conviction means your licence or learner permit is cancelled.
  • Before relicensing you must complete the Behaviour Change Program and fit and use an alcohol interlock for at least 6 months (at least 12 months for repeat offenders).
  • Example cancellation periods for a first offence: learner or probationary with a BAC from zero up to under .05, 3 months; learner or probationary from .05 to under .1, 6 months; full licence under 26 from .05 to under .1, 6 months.

Police can breath test any driver at any time. Plan how you will get home before you drink.

Based on the Victorian Road to Solo Driving handbook and the VicRoads learner and probationary pages. Rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.

Quick answers

What is the blood alcohol limit for P platers in Victoria?

Zero. Learner and probationary (P1 and P2) drivers must have no alcohol in their blood.

What is the BAC limit for a full licence in Victoria?

Below 0.05 for most full licence holders. Some groups, such as bus and taxi drivers and driving instructors, must be at zero.