Can I drink cider and drive?
"If you drink, do not drive for any reason," NHTSA advises, and no one can say how many ciders take you over the limit. Blood limits are 80 mg per 100 ml in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 50 mg in Scotland, 0.08 g/dL in most US states, 0.05 in Utah and 0.04 for US commercial drivers.
Updated
Legal limits
| Measure | England, Wales and Northern Ireland | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| Breath (micrograms per 100 ml) | 35 | 22 |
| Blood (milligrams per 100 ml) | 80 | 50 |
| Urine (milligrams per 100 ml) | 107 | 67 |
Source: [1]. In the EU, the European Commission recommended in 2001 that all member states adopt a maximum blood alcohol limit of 0.5 mg/ml or lower, and 0.2 mg/ml for inexperienced drivers, motorcyclists and drivers of large vehicles or dangerous goods. [2] It is a recommendation; each country sets its own law.
What are the drink-drive limits in the US?
- Adult drivers. NHTSA: "it's illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah where the BAC limit is .05". [3] The CDC puts it the same way: most states set the limit at 0.08 grams of alcohol per decilitre of blood (g/dL), and Utah at 0.05 g/dL. [4]
- Drivers under 21. Every state has a "zero-tolerance" law, but the limit is not literally zero. Federal highway-funding rules require states to set it "not higher than 0.02 percent" BAC for all drivers under 21 [5], and NHTSA describes these laws as setting "a maximum BAC of less than .02 g/dL for drivers under 21 years old"; they have been in effect in all States since 1998. [6] A state can set a lower limit, so check the law of the state you drive in.
- Commercial drivers. Federal rules set a lower threshold for drivers of commercial motor vehicles: no driver may report for or remain on duty requiring safety-sensitive functions "while having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater" [7], and having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater while operating a commercial vehicle leads to disqualification, for at least one year on a first offence. [8]
- Below the limit. NHTSA adds that "even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability". [3]
Should I drink at all if I'm driving?
No. NHTSA's advice is simple: "If you drink, do not drive for any reason." Plan how you will get home before you start drinking: NHTSA suggests choosing a non-drinking friend as a designated driver, or calling a taxi, a ride-hailing service or a sober friend. [3]
Why can't I count ciders?
GOV.UK says there are strict limits, "but it's impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equals - it's different for each person". The way alcohol affects you depends on your weight, age, sex and metabolism, the type and amount of alcohol, what you have eaten and your stress levels. [1] Ciders also vary widely in strength; the guide on how strong cider is gives typical ranges, and how many units are in cider shows how strength and volume add up.
What can I drink instead?
Alcohol-free and de-alcoholised ciders exist, but labels can allow a small amount of alcohol; read the ABV, as explained in what is alcohol-free cider. Mulled cider is usually alcoholic too; see is mulled cider alcoholic. The glossary entry for cider explains what the word covers.
This answer is general information, not legal advice.
Related answers: how many units are in cider · what is alcohol-free cider
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Dates in this answer were checked on 2 October 2026 and are due for review by April 2027.
Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.
We don't give health advice. For questions about your health, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Questions
How many ciders can I drink and drive?
No source can give a safe number. GOV.UK: "it's impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equals - it's different for each person". [1]
Is alcohol-free cider OK before driving?
Check the ABV on the label: in England's guidance, "alcohol free" can mean up to 0.05% and "de-alcoholised" up to 0.5%. [9] See what is alcohol-free cider.
What is the limit in the EU?
Each country sets its own. The European Commission recommends a limit of 0.5 mg/ml or lower for all drivers and 0.2 mg/ml for inexperienced and some professional drivers. [2] Check the law of the country you drive in.
Sources
- The drink drive limit — GOV.UK
- Commission Recommendation 2001/115/EC of 17 January 2001 on the maximum permitted blood alcohol content (BAC) for drivers of motorised vehicles — EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the European Union)
- Drunk Driving — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Impaired Driving: About — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- 23 CFR 1210.4 – Adoption of zero tolerance law — eCFR (US Government Publishing Office)
- Countermeasures That Work: Zero-Tolerance Law Enforcement — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- 49 CFR 382.201 – Alcohol concentration — eCFR (National Archives)
- 49 CFR 383.51 – Disqualification of drivers — eCFR (National Archives)
- Low alcohol descriptors guidance (Department of Health and Social Care, December 2018) — Department of Health and Social Care (GOV.UK)