Don’t touch the steering wheel after drinking — even for e‑bikes or “just moving the car a bit”

Using a designated driver or taking a taxi costs only a few dozen yuan. Agree in advance who won’t drink at any gathering. It can be hard to politely refuse when others keep offering drinks.

Temporary suspension of the license for 6 months and a fine ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 yuan for driving after drinking. Repeat offenders face up to 10 days in jail and permanent license revocation. Drunk driving results in immediate license cancellation; reapplication is prohibited for 5 years, and criminal liability for dangerous driving is pursued, leading to imprisonment and monetary penalties. For commercial drivers the penalties are harsher: 15 days in jail, a 5,000‑yuan fine, and a 5‑year ban on driving commercially; drunk driving entails a 10‑year ban, after which they can never drive commercially again. If drinking or being drunk leads to a major accident and a criminal conviction, driving privileges are revoked for life. Commercial auto insurance policies explicitly exclude any claims arising from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (nationwide).

全国人大常委会 (2021). 道路交通安全法（2021 年修订，第九十一条）. https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/205308/index.html（北京市公安交通管理局转载）；全国人大常委会 (2015). 刑法修正案（九）（第八条，即刑法第一百三十三条之一）. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180205_364562.shtml；中国保险行业协会 (2020). 机动车商业保险示范条款（2020 版）（第九、二十二条）. https://www.iachina.cn/art/2020/9/4/art_24_104621.html

Drunk driving is a criminal offense that leaves a permanent record, affecting both background checks and eligibility for certain professions. The distinction between “drinking” and “being drunk” is defined by blood alcohol concentration levels set by national standards; this section does not verify those exact figures, so don’t guess where you fall on that scale.