How Many Standard Drinks to Drive & Stay Below 0.05?

Staying safe—and legal—on the road starts with understanding how alcohol affects your body and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In Australia, the legal BAC limit for licensed drivers is under 0.05, and zero for learner and provisional drivers.

How Many Drinks Does it Take to Reach 0.05?

The answer isn’t as simple as counting your drinks—it depends on a range of factors including your weight, gender, metabolism, food intake, and the type of alcohol consumed.

Even if you’re familiar with the legal limit, it’s crucial to understand your personal tolerance. Everyone processes alcohol differently. Two people drinking the same amount may end up with very different BAC results.

In Australia, a standard drink is always equal to 10 grams of pure alcohol. To help you track your intake, the Department of Health provides a Standard Drinks Guide, which includes visual tools and calculators.

Other Ways to Check Standard Drinks

• • Read the Label – In Australia, all packaged alcoholic beverages are required by law to clearly indicate the number of standard drinks they contain.
  • Use an Online Calculator – Tools like a Standard Drink Calculator can help you estimate your intake based on drink type, volume, and alcohol percentage.
  • Invest in a Personal Breathalyser – A personal breathalyser takes the guesswork out of drinking. It’s a smart investment for anyone who wants to stay safe and compliant—whether you’re heading out for the night or managing workplace safety.

How Many Standard Drinks to Stay Below 0.05?

While there’s no universal rule, general guidelines suggest:

• • Men: No more than 2 standard drinks in the first hour, then 1 per hour after that.
  • Women: No more than 1 standard drink per hour.

These are only estimates. Your actual BAC can vary based on body size and composition, how quickly you drink, whether you’ve eaten and your general health and fatigue levels.

Feeling Fine Doesn’t Mean You’re Under 0.05

Even if you feel fine, your BAC could still be over the limit. Alcohol affects your judgement, coordination, and reaction time—even below 0.05. You might feel okay to drive, but your BAC could tell a different story.

Use the Tools Available – There’s No Excuse to Be Uninformed

At Alcolizer Technology, we believe that knowledge is power—especially when it comes to alcohol and safety. That’s why we provide a range of tools to help you make informed, responsible decisions.

Our personal and workplace breathalysers deliver fast, accurate readings, removing the uncertainty from your decision-making. Whether you’re heading out for a night with friends or managing safety in a high-risk work environment, having a means to test is the first step in staying safe and compliant.

Why not get in touch with our team, today.

Sources
Australian Department of Health and Healthdirect.