Driver & Maritime ComplianceExamRoo practice revision sheet

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits by State

Zero, 0.02 and 0.05 limits compared for NSW, VIC, QLD, WA and SA drivers and NSW boat operators

Based on: Transport for NSW, VicRoads, Queensland TMR, WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing•3 min read (Printable)•Sources checked 14 October 2026

Learner, Provisional and Full Licence Limits

State	Learner and provisional drivers	Full (unrestricted) licence
New South Wales	Zero (learner, P1 and P2)	Under 0.05
Victoria	Zero (learner and probationary)	Less than 0.05
Queensland	Zero (learner, P1/P2, probationary and restricted, regardless of age)	Below 0.05
Western Australia	Zero (novice drivers, until two years licensed)	0.05 (all other drivers)
South Australia	Zero (learner, provisional and probationary)	0.05 (unconditional licence)

Heavy Vehicle, Bus, Taxi and Dangerous Goods Drivers

These limits apply to fully licensed drivers when driving the vehicles listed. Each state sets its own categories and limits.

State	Limit	Who it applies to (as the state describes it)
New South Wales	Under 0.02	Public passenger vehicles (buses, coaches, taxis, rideshare vehicles, chauffeur-driven hire cars); heavy vehicles over 13.9 t GVM; vehicle and trailer combinations over 13.9 t GCM; dangerous goods vehicles
Victoria	Zero	Drivers of taxis, buses and other large vehicles, and professional driving instructors (also restricted motorcycle licence holders and some drivers with a previous drink-driving conviction)
Queensland	Zero	Trucks over 4.5 t GVM; buses built or fitted to carry more than 12 adults; articulated vehicles; placard loads of dangerous goods; taxis, limousines and on-duty rideshare vehicles; tow trucks, pilot and escort vehicles; driver trainers; specially constructed vehicles
Western Australia	Zero	Hire and reward vehicles; passenger vehicles carrying more than 12 adults; certain heavy vehicles; dangerous goods vehicles (the zero limit may not apply at all times)
South Australia	Zero	Drivers of buses, taxis, heavy vehicles and vehicles carrying dangerous goods

Note: There is no single national rule for heavy vehicles. NSW sets under 0.02 for heavy vehicles over 13.9 t GVM, while Queensland sets zero for trucks over 4.5 t GVM.

Boating Limits (New South Wales)

Operator (NSW)	BAC limit
Aged under 18 (all vessels)	Zero
Aged 18 and over, recreational vessel	Under 0.05
Aged 18 and over, commercial vessel	Under 0.02

Note: In NSW the limit applies to the driver, the observer in a vessel towing a person, and anyone being towed. Other states set their own boating limits.

Standard Drinks (Australian Department of Health)

A standard drink is always 10 g of pure alcohol.
Full-strength beer, 375 mL can or bottle at 4.8% = 1.4 standard drinks.
Mid-strength beer, 375 mL can or bottle at 3.5% = 1.0 standard drink.
Average restaurant serve of red wine, 150 mL at 13.5% = 1.6 standard drinks. A 100 mL serve = 1.0.
Average restaurant serve of white wine, 150 mL at 11.5% = 1.4 standard drinks.
Straight spirits, 30 mL at 40% = 1.0 standard drink.
A healthy person takes about one hour to clear the alcohol from one standard drink (WA Drive Safe handbook). Black coffee, a shower or a large meal will not speed this up (NSW Road User Handbook).