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    Prescribed concentration of alcohol

    Elements of the offence

    It is an offence for a person to drive, or attempt to drive, a motor vehicle with the prescribed concentration of alcohol in their blood [Road Traffic Act 1961 (SA) s 47B].

    The prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA) for holders of an unconditional licence is a concentration of 0.05 grams or more of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. For unlicensed drivers or drivers of prescribed vehicles (see below), the PCA is zero [Road Traffic Act 1961 (SA) s 47A].

    For the purpose of this rule, a prescribed vehicle is:

    • a vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 15 tonnes
    • a prime mover with an unladen mass exceeding 4 tonnes
    • a bus designed to carry more than 12 persons (including the driver) (whether passengers are being carried or not)
    • a motor vehicle designed principally to carry between 8 and 12 passengers and that is used regularly for carrying passengers for hire, or for a business or community purpose — applies whether passengers are being carried or not.
    • a vehicle being used for carrying passengers for hire
    • a vehicle transporting dangerous goods (as defined in the Dangerous Substances Act 1979 (SA)).

    See Alcohol and drug penalties for the penalties that apply to this offence.

    Learner, provisional and probationary drivers

    Learner, provisional and probationary drivers also must drive with a zero blood alcohol concentration. However, it is only a breach of their conditions if they drive with a blood alcohol level greater than zero but less than 0.05. If they drive with a blood alcohol level greater than 0.05 they may be charged with both breaching their conditions and an offence of driving with the prescribed concentration of alcohol. See Driver's licences for more information.

    Prescribed concentration of alcohol  :  Last Revised: Thu May 28th 2026
    The content of the Law Handbook is made available as a public service for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice. See Disclaimer for details. For free and confidential legal advice in South Australia call 1300 366 424.

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