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BAC Calculator

Estimate your blood alcohol concentration based on your drinks, timing, and profile.

Argentina0‰ (0%) legal limit*Methodology & sourcesView full methodology

Educational estimate only. Not legal advice, not a breath test, and not a safety test. Do not use this to decide whether to drive a vehicle, work, operate equipment, or perform safety-sensitive activities.

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* Legal limits vary by driver type, vehicle and state. This tool cannot determine legal driving status.

Last updated: April 25, 2026

Argentina BAC limits

BAC Calculator FAQ

What are the first-offence administrative penalties for drink-driving in Argentina?

A first-offence drink-driving violation in Argentina triggers a set of administrative sanctions under Ley 24.449 and its provincial implementing regulations.

  • Fines ranging from 300 to 1,000 fixed penalty units.
  • Licence suspension from 6 months to 1 year for the standard band.
  • Mandatory attendance at a road safety education course.
  • Vehicle retention at the checkpoint until a sober driver is available.
Is the licence suspension immediate at the roadside?

Yes. Argentine traffic law authorizes on-the-spot licence retention by enforcement officers. The formal administrative suspension is then processed through the provincial traffic court, but the driver cannot continue driving from the moment of the positive breath test.

  • Licence is retained at the checkpoint.
  • Vehicle is immobilized until a sober driver takes custody.
  • Formal hearing follows within the administrative traffic justice system.
When does drink-driving become a criminal offence in Argentina?

Drink-driving that causes injury or death is prosecuted under the Argentine Penal Code. Articles 84 and 94 address negligent homicide and negligent injury, with alcohol intoxication treated as an aggravating factor.

  • Negligent homicide while intoxicated: up to 5 years imprisonment under Art. 84 bis of the Penal Code.
  • Negligent injury while intoxicated: up to 3 years imprisonment.
  • Licence revocation for the duration of the sentence.
  • A 2017 reform (Ley 27.347) increased maximum sentences for fatal drink-driving crashes.
What happens to repeat drink-driving offenders in Argentina?

Repeat offenders face escalating administrative sanctions and, depending on the province, potential criminal prosecution even without a crash. The federal framework doubles the licence suspension period for second offences.

  • Second offence: licence suspension doubled, up to 2 years.
  • Third or subsequent offence: licence revocation with a multi-year ban on reapplication.
  • Provincial courts may impose community service or mandatory treatment programs.
ScenarioBAC thresholdCustodyDriving restrictionFinancial or other consequence
Standard driver, first offence0.05% BAC (0.5 g/L)No custody for simple administrative offenceLicence suspension 6 to 12 months; vehicle retained at checkpointFine of 300 to 1,000 penalty units; mandatory road safety course
Professional / motorcycle, first offence0.00% BAC (zero tolerance)No custody for simple administrative offenceLicence suspension 1 year; vehicle retained at checkpointFine of 300 to 1,000 penalty units; mandatory road safety course
Drink-driving causing death (Ley 27.347)Any BAC above applicable limitUp to 5 years imprisonmentLicence revocation for duration of sentenceCriminal prosecution under Penal Code Art. 84 bis
Repeat offence (second administrative)0.05% BAC (0.5 g/L)Possible short-term detention depending on provinceLicence suspension doubled, up to 2 yearsIncreased fines; mandatory treatment program
How significant is drink-driving as a road safety problem in Argentina?

Alcohol-related crashes remain a major contributor to road fatalities in Argentina, with official data consistently identifying alcohol as a factor in a significant share of fatal collisions.

  • The Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Vial (ANSV) reported that alcohol was a factor in approximately 25% of fatal road crashes in its most recent national analysis.
  • Argentina records over 5,000 road fatalities annually, placing it among the higher per-capita rates in Latin America.
  • Weekend night-time crashes show a disproportionately high alcohol involvement rate.
Has the drink-driving problem in Argentina been improving or worsening?

Enforcement campaigns and legislative changes have produced some improvement, but alcohol-related road deaths remain stubbornly high.

  • The introduction of stricter penalties under Ley 27.347 in 2017 was followed by a modest decline in alcohol-related fatalities.
  • COVID-19 mobility restrictions in 2020 produced a temporary drop, but post-pandemic figures returned to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Breath-testing compliance operations have expanded in major urban areas, particularly Buenos Aires Province.
How active is drink-driving enforcement in Argentina?

Enforcement varies significantly by province. Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Mendoza conduct regular checkpoint operations, while rural provinces have more limited enforcement capacity.

  • ANSV coordinates national road safety campaigns several times per year, with intensified checkpoints during holiday periods.
  • Buenos Aires Province operates a permanent network of roadside alcohol checkpoints on major routes.
  • The national breathalyzer program has expanded to cover more municipalities over the past decade.
How do Argentines view drink-driving as a road safety issue?

Drink-driving is widely recognized as one of the top road safety problems in Argentina. Public awareness campaigns by ANSV have maintained high visibility for the issue.

  • Surveys consistently show that a large majority of Argentine adults consider drink-driving to be very dangerous.
  • Media coverage of fatal alcohol-related crashes keeps the issue prominently in public discourse.
  • Road safety organizations report that awareness of the legal BAC limit is relatively high in urban areas.
Do Argentines support stricter drink-driving enforcement?

Yes. Public opinion surveys indicate strong support for roadside alcohol checkpoints and stricter penalties, particularly after high-profile fatal crash incidents.

  • Support for roadside breath testing is high, particularly in Buenos Aires and other major cities.
  • After the 2017 reforms under Ley 27.347, public polling showed majority approval of the tougher sentences.
  • There is ongoing public debate about whether enforcement is sufficiently consistent outside major urban centres.
Does public disapproval eliminate risky drink-driving behavior in Argentina?

No. Despite high awareness, self-reported drink-driving remains a notable problem, especially among younger male drivers and during weekend nightlife hours.

  • ANSV campaign data indicates that a non-trivial share of drivers stopped at checkpoints test positive for alcohol.
  • Weekend and holiday enforcement operations consistently detect elevated rates of drink-driving.
  • Social norms around alcohol consumption at gatherings remain a challenge for prevention efforts.
What are the most recent legal changes to drink-driving law in Argentina?

The most significant recent change was the enactment of Ley 27.347 in 2017, which substantially increased criminal penalties for drink-driving resulting in death or serious injury. Since then, enforcement policy changes have continued at the provincial level.

  • Ley 27.347 (2017): Increased maximum imprisonment for fatal drink-driving to 5 years; added Art. 84 bis to the Penal Code.
  • Several provinces have strengthened their own traffic codes to align with or exceed the national penalties.
  • ANSV has expanded its national breathalyzer equipment program and checkpoint coordination since 2020.
  • The core BAC thresholds of 0.05% for general drivers and zero for professional drivers remain unchanged.

Source:Official source links are listed in the relevant sections. Check the current wording before relying on any legal detail.

Jurisdiction Details

Verification: primary | last verified: 2026-05-03

Policy-driven educational estimate only. Legal meaning depends on jurisdiction, driver class, and local enforcement.

Primary Legislation

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