Drunk Driving Laws in Turkey 2023: How Much Alcohol Can You Drink and Drive?

Drink and drive laws in Turkey

Turkey implements a legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% or 0.5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. Consuming one or two standard alcoholic drinks can push the blood alcohol level to 0.05%, depending on several factors.

Alcohol affects individuals differently in terms of their blood alcohol concentration. Even if two people drink the same amount, their blood alcohol levels may not be the same, and their BAC levels can vary depending on how their bodies process alcohol. 

This post intends to raise awareness about the problem of driving while under the influence in Turkey. The content presented on this website does not endorse or promote impaired driving in any region or country.

There is a lack of comprehensive information regarding drink-driving statistics in Turkey. However, based on available data from 2016, it was found that approximately 3.3% of road crash fatalities in the country were associated with alcohol involvement.

Drivers must avoid getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. In cases where driving after drinking is unavoidable, opting for safe alternative transportation options such as authorized driving services or taxis is strongly recommended.

Furthermore, it is essential to acquaint yourself with the specific regulations regarding driving under the influence before traveling to any country. Monitoring your blood alcohol level regularly using a breathalyzer can help guarantee that alcohol does not impair driving skills.

For more details on Turkey’s laws concerning drunk driving, please refer to the country’s official website.

Punishments for Drinking and Driving in Turkey

Consuming even one bottle of beer or a glass of wine can already impact your driving ability. As your blood alcohol content level rises, these impairments become more evident. Your coordination and decision-making skills can be compromised, even with BAC levels ranging from 0.010% to 0.029%.

Drunk driving laws and penalties differ from one country to another. Drivers must be aware of the consequences of exceeding the legal BAC limit. Violations of drunk driving laws can lead to fines and other legal repercussions.

Below are the general penalties for drunk driving in Turkey.

  • Fines: 1823 Lira to 3675 Lira
  • Driving Ban: Six (6) months up to five (5) years of license suspension
  • Jail Time: Six (6) months up to three (3) years of imprisonment

When Can You Drink and Drive in Turkey?

According to studies, factors such as gender can affect an individual’s blood alcohol concentration. The higher presence of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes in males is believed to contribute to the disparity in BAC levels between males and females. These enzymes influence alcohol metabolism, leading to faster alcohol processing in men compared to women. You can check more on our blood alcohol concentration calculator.

Consuming alcohol can impair vision and cognitive functions, significantly increasing the risk of accidents while driving. It is strongly advised to refrain from drinking alcohol before operating a vehicle.

The following suggestions provide general guidelines for estimating the amount of alcohol that can be consumed before driving in Turkey. However, because individual responses to alcohol can vary, the recommended quantities may not be universally applicable.

How Many Bottles of Beer Can You Drink and Drive in Turkey?

Drink beer and drive in Turkey

An individual’s body weight plays a crucial role in determining their blood alcohol concentration. BAC charts demonstrate that individuals with lower body weights tend to experience higher BAC levels.

For instance, a man weighing 160 pounds (72 kg) who consumes a 12-ounce (350 ml) beer may have a BAC of approximately 0.02%. In contrast, a woman with a similar weight might have a BAC of around 0.03% after consuming the same amount of beer. This comparison emphasizes how gender can influence the metabolism of alcohol.

Limiting your intake to one or two bottles is advisable if you drive after consuming beer.

How Many Wine Glasses Can You Drink and Drive in Turkey?

A typical serving of wine is generally around 142 milliliters (5 ounces) and typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 12%.

Following the previous example, it is best to restrict your wine consumption to one or two glasses.

How Many Whiskey or Vodka Shots Can You Drink and Drive in Turkey?

Distilled spirits like whiskey and vodka commonly have an alcohol by volume of 40%. We suggest limiting your consumption of whiskey or vodka to one or two shots.

Sticking to Drink and Drive Laws in Turkey

Drinking alcohol can impair a driver’s abilities and poses a substantial risk to road safety. Drivers must be careful on the road and acknowledge the risks of driving under the influence.

It is essential to adhere to Turkey’s legal BAC limit of 0.05% while driving to avoid legal penalties and for everyone’s safety. Additionally, it is vital to regularly assess your blood alcohol level, even if you have consumed a small amount of alcohol. Utilizing a certified alcohol breathalyzer is a reliable method to monitor your blood alcohol level accurately.

If you are uncertain about your ability to drive, it is advisable to consider alternative transportation options for your safety.

For more information on drunk driving laws and regulations, please visit the official website of Turkey.

About the author

Ashley Cresswell

Ashley Cresswell is a former phlebotomist with a passion for road safety. During her time as a phlebotomist, Ashley administered over 1000 blood alcohol tests to impaired drivers and was shocked to discover that many of them were simply uninformed about the legal limits for driving under the influence. As a result, Ashley conducted extensive research on scientific studies and local laws to bring drivers a comprehensive resource on drink and drive limits from around the world.