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The drink-drive limit in France is 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood (0.25 mg per litre of breath). That’s about a third lower than in England and Wales, and the same as Scotland. Drivers on a French probationary licence have a limit of just 0.2 g/l. Between 0.5 and 0.8 g/l you face a fine and a possible licence suspension; at 0.8 g/l or more it’s a criminal offence, with up to €9,000 and 3 years in prison.
The limit
| Driver | Blood | Breath |
|---|---|---|
| Most drivers | 0.5 g/l | 0.25 mg/l |
| French probationary licence (first 3 years), learners, drivers who must use an alcohol interlock | 0.2 g/l | 0.10 mg/l |
From Service-Public, France’s official guide (checked by Service-Public on 27 August 2026).
Compared with the UK
| Country | Limit (blood) |
|---|---|
| France | 0.5 g/l (50 mg per 100 ml) |
| Scotland | 50 mg per 100 ml |
| England and Wales | 80 mg per 100 ml |
If you’ve only driven in England or Wales, the French limit leaves you much less room. Service-Public doesn’t say how the lower 0.2 g/l limit for new drivers applies to visitors, so if you passed your test less than three years ago, it’s safest to keep to it, which in practice means not drinking at all.
How many drinks is that?
There’s no number you can rely on. How much alcohol reaches your blood depends on your weight, your sex, what you’ve eaten, how strong the drink is and how quickly you drink it. Drinks vary in strength, and glasses in bars and restaurants vary in size. One or two drinks can take some people close to 0.5 g/l, and one can be too many at 0.2 g/l.
The only safe answer is: if you’re driving, don’t drink.
The morning after
Alcohol leaves your body slowly, and coffee, food, a shower or sleep don’t speed it up. After a long dinner with wine, you can still be over the limit at breakfast, especially with France’s lower limit. If you’re setting off early after an evening out, a personal breathalyser can help you check, but treat any reading near the limit as a reason to wait. You don’t need to carry one by law: see do you need a breathalyser in France?
Roadside checks
French police and gendarmes carry out random roadside checks for alcohol and drugs, using their own equipment, and test drivers after accidents and many offences. Refusing a test is a criminal offence.
If a test shows you’re over the limit, or you refuse, the police can retain your licence on the spot for up to 72 hours (120 hours if laboratory tests are needed). The prefect can then suspend your right to drive in France. Driving while your licence is retained or suspended is itself a criminal offence: up to 2 years in prison and €4,500.
Penalties
| Situation | Penalties |
|---|---|
| 0.5 to under 0.8 g/l (0.2 to 0.8 g/l on a probationary licence) | A fine of up to €750 (usually a €135 fixed fine). The car can be immobilised or impounded. Licence suspension of up to 3 years, or a requirement to drive only cars fitted with an alcohol interlock. |
| 0.8 g/l or more, or obviously drunk | A criminal offence (délit): up to €9,000 and 3 years in prison. The court can also suspend your licence for up to 5 years, cancel it, order a road safety course at your expense, require an alcohol interlock and confiscate the car. |
| Refusing a test | A criminal offence: up to €9,000 and 3 years in prison, with suspension or cancellation possible. |
| Repeat offence | Licence cancellation, and confiscation of the car is compulsory unless the judge decides otherwise. |
| Causing an accident while over 0.8 g/l | Much heavier: causing a death (homicide routier) carries up to 7 years in prison and €100,000. |
French licences also lose 6 points. Penalty points don’t go on a UK licence, but the fines, the suspension of your right to drive in France and any court penalties all apply to you. Drink driving can also affect your insurance: check how your policy treats it.
In August 2026, France’s Ripost law (law no. 2026-798) toughened penalties for drink and drug driving. More on recent changes in French driving laws.
Drug driving
Driving after taking drugs classed as narcotics, including cannabis, is banned in France whatever the amount, and police use roadside saliva tests. It’s a criminal offence: up to €9,000 and 3 years in prison, or up to €15,000 and 5 years if combined with alcohol. The Ripost law also creates an offence of driving after using other psychoactive substances, which comes into force once a decree sets the list.
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can affect your driving: if you’re unsure about a medicine, ask a pharmacist.
Staying safe
- Agree who’s driving before you go out, and stick to soft drinks.
- Book accommodation within walking distance of the restaurant, or use a taxi.
- Allow plenty of time before driving the morning after.
- Remember that the lower limit applies the moment you drive off the ferry or train.
Drink-drive limit in France: rules and penalties for UK drivers FAQs
What is the drink-drive limit in France?
0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood, or 0.25 mg per litre of breath. Drivers on a French probationary licence, learners and drivers who must use an alcohol interlock have a limit of 0.2 g/l (0.10 mg/l of breath).
Is the French drink-drive limit lower than the UK's?
Lower than in England and Wales, where it's 80 mg per 100 ml of blood (0.8 g/l): the French limit is about a third lower. It's the same as Scotland's 50 mg per 100 ml.
How many drinks can you have and drive in France?
There's no safe number. It depends on your weight, what you've eaten, the drink's strength and how fast you drink. One or two drinks can take some people close to 0.5 g/l. If you're driving, don't drink.
What is the penalty for drink driving in France?
From 0.5 to under 0.8 g/l: a fine of up to €750 (usually €135), and the car can be immobilised or impounded and your licence suspended for up to 3 years. At 0.8 g/l or more it's a criminal offence: up to €9,000 and 3 years in prison, with possible suspension, cancellation of your licence and confiscation of the car.
Can the French police take my UK licence for drink driving?
They can retain it on the spot for up to 72 hours (120 hours if laboratory tests are needed), and the prefect can then suspend your right to drive in France. Penalty points don't go on a UK licence, but the fines, suspension and court penalties still apply.
Is refusing a breath test an offence in France?
Yes. Refusing a test is a criminal offence with the same maximum penalties as driving at 0.8 g/l or more: up to €9,000 and 3 years in prison.
Do I need to carry a breathalyser in France?
No. Carrying one is not compulsory and there's no fine for not having one, according to Service-Public. A personal breathalyser can still help you check the morning after.
What are the rules on drug driving in France?
Driving after taking drugs classed as narcotics is banned whatever the amount, and police use roadside saliva tests. It's a criminal offence: up to €9,000 and 3 years in prison, or up to €15,000 and 5 years combined with alcohol.