Drink Driving Penalties
in Singapore (2025)

Driving after drinking in Singapore is one of the most serious traffic offences you can commit. The penalties are steep, the process is humiliating, and the consequences follow you for years. If you're weighing up whether to drive home after a night out — this is what's actually at stake.

What counts as drink driving in Singapore?

Singapore uses two legal limits to define drink driving under the Road Traffic Act:

• Blood Alcohol Content (BAC): 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
• Breath Alcohol Level: 35 microgrammes per 100ml of breath
• Urine: 107mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine

If you're above any of these limits, you're over the legal threshold. One standard drink can be enough to push some people close to the limit — it depends on your body weight, metabolism, how fast you drank, and what you ate. There is no reliable way to "calculate" your way out of it.

The penalties — first offence

The penalties — repeat offence

A second drink driving conviction in Singapore comes with mandatory jail time — there is no way around it. Fines are also doubled, and driving bans are significantly longer. Courts take repeat offenders very seriously, and judges have little discretion to reduce the sentence once you cross that threshold.

What actually happens when you're caught

Traffic Police in Singapore conduct regular roadblocks, especially on weekend nights and during festive periods. If you're pulled over and suspected of drink driving, here's what happens:

• You'll be asked to take a breathalyser test on the spot
• If you fail, you'll be taken to the police station for an evidential breath or blood test
• Your licence will be suspended immediately pending investigation
• You may be held at the station until the alcohol clears your system
• A charge will be filed, and you'll need to attend court

Beyond the fine: what people don't talk about

The financial penalties are serious, but the ripple effects often hit harder:

• Criminal record: Drink driving is a criminal offence, not a traffic infringement. It shows up in background checks.
• Insurance impact: Your motor insurance premiums will increase substantially — some insurers may refuse to cover you.
• Employment: Roles requiring a clean record, government positions, or jobs involving driving are affected.
• Overseas travel: Some countries — including the US and Australia — may restrict entry if you have a criminal conviction.
• Professional licences: Lawyers, doctors, and other professionals may face disciplinary proceedings from their respective bodies.

The alternative

A drive home service in Singapore costs $48 flat. That's the full price — no surge, no hidden charges. You and your car get home. The driver travels with a colleague who then takes them back, so there's no issue with one car being left behind.

Compare that to the minimum $2,000 fine for a first offence, a 12-month driving ban, a criminal record, and the very real possibility of jail time. The math isn't close.

Hi Valet operates daily from 9PM to 5AM across Singapore. Same night, flat fare, confirmed before you commit. If you're out and you've had a drink, it's the smarter call.