Drink and drug driving laws in Tasmania
Alcohol and drugs are one of the fatal five behaviours behind serious crashes in Tasmania. The Road Safety Advisory Council says they are a factor in about a quarter of serious casualty crashes in the state.
For learners and P platers the rule is simple: no alcohol at all when driving. Even one drink can put you over the limit.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can state the legal alcohol limit for your licence type.
- You can explain why it is hard to judge your own blood alcohol level.
- You can describe police powers to test drivers.
- You can describe the main consequences of drink driving as a novice.
- You can plan safe ways home after drinking.
What you need to know and understand
- Learner and provisional (P1 and P2) drivers must have a blood alcohol content of 0.00.
- Fully licensed drivers must stay under 0.05, but drivers of vehicles over 4.5 tonnes, vehicles built to carry 13 or more adults and public passenger vehicles must also be at 0.00.
- It is an offence to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs on a public road or on private property.
- It is illegal to drive with illicit drugs in your system, and with prescribed medicine that affects your control of the vehicle.
- Tasmania Police can stop and test drivers, arrest without a warrant and impound vehicles.
- A learner caught driving with alcohol goes to court; the minimum penalty is loss of licence and a fine.
Why guessing your BAC does not work
Blood alcohol content measures how much alcohol is in your body. It depends on your size, sex, what you have eaten, your health and above all what and how much you drank. Glass sizes and drink strengths vary, and the more you drink the worse you get at counting.
Your BAC can keep rising after your last drink, and you can still be over the limit the next morning. At 0.05 your crash risk is around double that of a sober driver.
What happens if you break the law
Exact fines and disqualification periods depend on the offence and the court. Check current details with Tasmania Police or Transport Tasmania.
- Learners who drive with alcohol must go to court. The minimum outcome is losing your licence plus a fine.
- Any driver recording a BAC between 0.05 and 0.1 for a first offence faces disqualification.
- After disqualification you may be placed in novice case management, have conditions on your licence or need to complete the Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Program.
- Drug driving can lead to charges and fines if a test is positive.
Planning a safe night out
- Decide before you go out how you will get home.
- Choose a designated driver who will stay at 0.00, or use a taxi, ride share or public transport.
- Stay at a friend's place instead of driving.
- If you host, offer non-alcoholic drinks, food and somewhere to sleep.
- If you walk home, walk with a sober friend and cross at lit or marked crossings.
- Our guide to getting your full licence in Tasmania explains how offences affect the safer driver reward.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a single light beer is fine on Ps. Any alcohol breaks the 0.00 rule.
- Driving the morning after a big night. Alcohol can still be in your system.
- Assuming prescription medicine is always safe to drive on. Read the label and ask a pharmacist.
- Getting in a car with a driver you know has been drinking or taking drugs.
Test yourself: Drink and drug driving laws in Tasmania
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
Loading questions…
Go deeper
Sources: Tasmanian Road Rules handbook, Version 2.1 (2022), section 20, Department of State Growth, Tasmanian Government; Novice penalties and case management, and disqualifications pages, Transport Tasmania, Tasmanian Government; Driving under the influence page, Road Safety Advisory Council Tasmania; Plates Plus learner and provisional restriction pages, Tasmanian Government. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your state or territory road authority.