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Penalties for Drink Driving in Singapore
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional legal advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified legal professional for matters relating to specific legal circumstances.
Singapore maintains a strict stance against drink driving. However, according to a 2026 report, that has not stopped road safety from deteriorating.
Traffic deaths hit a 10-year high in 2025, with 149 people dying on the road, compared to 142 in 2024 and 141 in 2016. In addition, 9,955 people were injured in traffic accidents in 2025, compared to 9,342 in 2024.
On 26 February 2026, the police charged 20 motorists for drink driving. The motorists, aged between 21 and 52, were arrested between July 2025 and February 2026. Seven of them face additional charges due to incidents such as speeding or colliding with kerbs.
Despite drink driving accidents falling by 6% in 2025 compared to the previous year, the government has decided to take a firmer position on drink driving regulations and penalties, lowering alcohol limits and tightening the demerit points system.
What is considered drink driving in Singapore?
In Singapore, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offence according to Section 67(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
A person may be found guilty of driving under the influence if one of the following conditions is met:
- The alcohol in the driver’s breath or blood exceeds the limits prescribed by the law, or
- The driver is unfit to drive because of drink, drugs or a psychoactive or intoxicating substance, to the point where they are incapable of having proper control of the vehicle
In other words, you can be found guilty of driving under the influence even if your alcohol levels do not exceed the legal limits.
Conversely, if your breath or blood alcohol levels exceed the legal limit, you can also be found guilty of driving under the influence, even if you have perfect control of your vehicle and do not show external signs of intoxication.
How much can you drink before going over the legal limit? That depends on factors such as your weight, age, sex, metabolism, and what and when you ate that day. It is thus impossible to predict how much alcohol you can safely drink before driving. A single glass of wine could be enough to push you over the limit.
In general, it is safer to assume that no amount of alcohol is safe when you are driving.
It is also worth noting that enforcement operations with breathalyser tests often lead to secondary vehicle checks, which could result in penalties for other infringements.
What is the legal drink driving limit in Singapore?
The legal drink driving limit will be reduced to 15 micrograms per 100 ml of breath later in 2026, down from the current limit of 35 micrograms per 100 ml.
It is also possible that the blood alcohol limit will be lowered from its previous limit of 80 milligrams per 100 ml.
The amendments will be implemented later this year.
The new, lowered drink driving limit brings Singapore in line with regulations in Taiwan, Japan and Korea.
What are the penalties for drink driving in Singapore?
Under Section 67(1) of the Road Traffic Act, anyone found guilty of drink driving for the first time faces one or both of the following penalties:
- A fine of $2,000 to $10,000
- Imprisonment for up to 12 months
Those convicted a second or subsequent time face one or both of the following:
- A fine of $5,000 to $20,000
- Imprisonment for up to two years
In addition to the above penalties, unless the court finds special reasons not to do so, any person convicted for drink driving will also be disqualified from driving.
The minimum disqualification period is as follows:
- Two years for a first-time offender
- Five years for a repeat offender
- Life for someone with three or more earlier convictions
If the driver gets into an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol, the penalties for a drink-driving offence are heavier, especially if anyone dies or is harmed, with steeper fines, longer disqualifications and longer jail terms.
Dangerous or reckless driving
Driving under the influence is not the only thing drink driving offenders risk being found guilty of.
Drink driving can raise the likelihood of other infractions such as reckless or dangerous driving or speeding, which could lead to accidents causing death or grievous hurt.
Under Section 64 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, a person found guilty of reckless or dangerous driving is liable to face one or both of the following:
a) Fine
- Up to $5,000 for first-time offenders
- Up to $10,000 for repeat offenders
- $2,000 to $10,000 for serious offenders, in addition to any punishment for first-time or repeat offenders
- $5,000 to $20,000 for serious repeat offenders, in addition to any punishment for first-time or repeat offenders
b) Imprisonment
- Up to 12 months for first-time offenders
- Up to two years for repeat offenders
- Up to 12 months for serious offenders, in addition to any punishment for first-time or repeat offenders
- Up to two years for serious repeat offenders, in addition to any punishment for first-time or repeat offenders
If hurt, grievous hurt or death is caused to another person as a result of dangerous or careless driving, the penalties can be much heavier.
For instance, a first-time offender found guilty of reckless or dangerous driving who causes death to another person could be liable for up to eight years in prison. Serious or repeat offenders get their license suspended or be disqualified from driving for life.
In addition, in serious cases, the court can also apply to forfeit the car if the offender is the owner.
Driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration
Even if a driver escapes being convicted of dangerous or reckless driving, he or she might still be found guilty of driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road under Section 65 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Under Section 65 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, a person found guilty of driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration is liable to face one or both of the following:
a) Fine
- Up to $1,500 for first-time offenders
- Up to $3,000 for repeat offenders
- $2,000 to $10,000 for serious offenders, in addition to any punishment for first-time or repeat offenders
- $5,000 to $20,000 for serious repeat offenders, in addition to any punishment for first-time or repeat offenders
b) Imprisonment
- Up to six months for first-time offenders
- Up to 12 months for repeat offenders
- Up to 12 months for serious offenders, in addition to any punishment for first-time or repeat offenders
- Up to two years for serious repeat offenders, in addition to any punishment for first-time or repeat offenders
If hurt, grievous hurt or death is caused to another person as a result of dangerous or careless driving, the penalties can be much heavier, and the driver’s licence will also be disqualified.
A first-time offender found guilty of driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration and who causes death to another person could be liable for a fine of up to $10,000, up to three years in prison or both. Serious or repeat offenders get their licence suspended or be disqualified from driving for life.
In addition, the court can apply to forfeit the car in serious cases if the offender is the owner of the vehicle.
How does drink driving affect car insurance claims?
A conviction for drink driving constitutes a material fact to most insurers. That means it is an important factor that an insurer will take into account when deciding whether or not to offer coverage or renewals, and on what terms. If you have been convicted at least once, that might affect your eligibility for car insurance or renewals.
Furthermore, most insurers will not pay for damage, injuries or loss resulting from accidents caused by an insured driver who was drink driving. This applies regardless of the type of car insurance involved, including comprehensive car insurance.
As a result, in addition to any penalties imposed by the law, offenders also risk having to pay out tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees, vehicle repair costs and medical expenses in the event of an accident.
For instance, Budget Direct Car Insurance excludes any incidents where the insured driver was under the influence of any drug or alcohol, even under the legal limit. Even having a sip of alcohol before you get into the car can trigger the exclusion and prevent you from successfully making an insurance claim.
Alternatives to driving after a drink
Using a ride-hailing app such as Grab or calling a cab is an easy solution. Most of the time, it is possible to book a ride within minutes from anywhere in Singapore.
If you wish to use public transport, it is a good idea to check the time of your last MRT or bus, and set an alarm on your phone to remind you of when you have to leave.
FAQ
What is the penalty for drink driving in Singapore?
The penalty for drink driving in Singapore consists of a fine, imprisonment or both, as well as being disqualified from driving. First-time offenders face a fine of $2,000 to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months. If their offence is serious, they will also be disqualified from driving.
What is the breathalyser limit for drink driving in Singapore?
The alcohol limit in Singapore will be reduced to 15 micrograms per 100 ml of breath later in 2026. It is currently 35 micrograms per 100 ml of breath.
Can you lose your licence due to drink driving in Singapore?
Yes, persons convicted of drink driving will be disqualified from driving.
Sources & References
20 Motorists To Be Charged With Drink Driving 20 Motorists To Be Charged With Drink Driving, Singapore Police Force https://www.police.gov.sg/Media-Hub/News/2026/02/20260226_20_motorists_to_be_charged_with_drink_driving
Traffic Accidents Rose in 2025, Singapore Police Force https://www.police.gov.sg/Media-Hub/Police-Life/2026/02/Traffic-Accidents-Rose-in-2025
S’pore to tighten demerit points system, lower alcohol limits amid surge in road traffic deaths, The Straits Times https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/spore-to-tighten-demerit-points-system-lower-alcohol-limits-amid-worsening-road-traffic-situation
Road Traffic Act 1961 https://sso.agc.gov.sg/act/rta1961
Lower drink driving limit, possible review of demerit points system in Singapore road safety push, Channel NewsAsia https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/drink-driving-limit-alcohol-demerit-points-system-review-road-safety-electric-vehicles-5958006
How To Calculate Car Insurance, Budget Direct Insurance /car-insurance/articles/how-is-car-insurance-calculated
