Appendix 4 Drivers’ legal BAC limits
Appendix 4.1. Summary of state and territory laws on BAC and driving
| State/territory | Drivers of cars and light trucks, motorcycle riders | Drivers of trucks, taxis, buses and private hire cars |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | Drivers of cars and light trucks, motorcycle riders The legal BAC limit applying to learner, provisional and probationary drivers, drivers classed as ‘special drivers’ and restricted licence holders is zero BAC. The legal limit for drivers of cars, trucks and buses (excluding public vehicles) up to 15 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM) and riders of motorcycles who hold a full licence (gold) is below 0.05 BAC. | Drivers of trucks, taxis, buses and private hire cars The legal BAC limit applying to drivers of heavy motor vehicles exceeding 15 tonnes GVM, dangerous goods vehicles, public vehicles (taxis, buses, rideshare, and private hire cars) and Commonwealth chauffeur cars is zero BAC. |
| New South Wales | Drivers of cars and light trucks, motorcycle riders A zero BAC limit applies to all learner licence holders, provisional P1 licence holders, provisional P2 licence holders and interlock licence holders. For drivers not listed elsewhere it is 0.05 BAC. | Drivers of trucks, taxis, buses and private hire cars For drivers of trucks over 13.9 tonnes GVM, all drivers of public passenger vehicles within the meaning of the Passenger Transport Act 1990 and drivers of any vehicles carrying dangerous goods or radioactive substances it is 0.02 BAC. |
| Northern Territory | Drivers of cars and light trucks, motorcycle riders For unlicensed and learner drivers, provisional licence holders, drivers under 25 with less than 3 years’ experience it is zero BAC. For drivers not listed elsewhere it is 0.05 BAC. | Drivers of trucks, taxis, buses and private hire cars For drivers of vehicles over 15 tonnes GVM, public passenger vehicles, dangerous goods vehicles, vehicles with people unrestrained in an open load space and vehicles carrying more than 12 people; and for driving instructors while instructing, licensed drivers under the age of 25 who have been licensed for less than 3 years it is zero BAC. For drivers not listed elsewhere it is 0.05 BAC. |
| Queensland | Drivers of cars and light trucks, motorcycle riders For learner licence holders, probationary licence holders, provisional licence holders, class RE licence holders for the first year of holding a motorbike licence, restricted licence holders, licence holders subject to a 79E order, interlock drivers, driver trainers while giving driver training and unlicensed drivers it is zero BAC. For drivers not listed elsewhere it is 0.05 BAC. | For drivers of trucks, public passenger vehicles, articulated motor vehicles B-doubles, road trains, vehicles carrying placard load of dangerous goods, tow trucks and pilot or escort vehicles it is zero BAC. For drivers not listed elsewhere it is 0.05 BAC. |
| South Australia | Drivers of cars and light trucks, motorcycle riders For learner permit holders and provisional and probationary licence holders it is zero BAC. For drivers not listed elsewhere it is 0.05 BAC. Note that unlicensed drivers are also subject to zero BAC. | Drivers of trucks, taxis, buses and private hire cars For drivers of vehicles over 15 tonnes GVM, prime movers with an unladen mass less than 4 tonnes, taxis, buses, licensed chauffeured vehicles and vehicles carrying dangerous goods it is zero BAC. |
| Tasmania | Drivers of cars and light trucks, motorcycle riders For unlicensed and learner drivers, provisional licence holders, people convicted of causing death driving a motor vehicle, or reckless or negligent driving, people with three of more drink-driving convictions in 10 years it is zero BAC. For drivers not listed elsewhere it is 0.05 BAC. | Drivers of trucks, taxis, buses and private hire cars For drivers of all public passenger vehicles (e.g. buses, taxis) and vehicles exceeding 4.5 tonnes GVM it is zero BAC. |
Victoria Further information: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/demerit-points-and-offences/drink-and-drug-driving-offences/drink-driving-offences | Drivers of cars and light trucks, motorcycle riders A zero BAC applies to the following groups of drivers:
A 0.05 BAC applies for other drivers Any driver/rider licensed following a drink- driving offence has a zero BAC condition on their licence for a period of 3 years (or if the period of their interlock condition is longer, it is whichever is greater) and must install an alcohol interlock prior to licensing. | Drivers of trucks, taxis, buses and private hire cars A zero BAC applies to the following groups of drivers:
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| Western Australia | Drivers of cars and light trucks, motorcycle riders A zero BAC applies to the following groups of drivers:
A 0.05 BAC applies for other drivers. | Drivers of trucks, taxis, buses and private hire cars A zero BAC applies to the following groups of drivers:
A 0.05 BAC applies for other drivers. |