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How long should you wait per drink before driving?
I’m going out with some friends this weekend, but none of us wants to be the designated driver. I said I’d do it, but we’d have to wait for me to sober up before heading home. I don’t know how long that actually takes, though. How many hours after drinking can I drive?
Michelle Ballestrasse · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
There is no easy answer to the question of how long you should wait per drink before driving. It depends on things like your age, weight, metabolism, medications you take, and even your biological sex. All of these factors can greatly influence how quickly (or slowly) your liver filters alcohol out of your bloodstream.
Another factor is that all booze is not created equal. While your liver generally processes one ounce of alcohol per hour, that can mean different things depending on what you drank.
Below is a very rough guide to how quickly an average person’s liver can process certain drinks:
- Shot of liquor: 1 hour
- Cocktail or mixed drink: 2-3 hours
- Pint of beer: 2 hours
- Glass of wine: 2-3 hours
Keep in mind this is not medical advice or a definitive timeframe. Frankly, it would be much better to use a rideshare service, call a taxi, or find a sober driver after a night of drinking. I get that you don’t want to feel left out, but
drinking and driving
is never a good idea.Driving safely will also help keep your
car insurance
rates from going up, as insurers check your driving record when pricing your policy. But no matter your record, if you feel like you’re overpaying for insurance, you don’t have to just accept it.Jerry
is an insurance comparison app that shops for low prices with over 50 insurance companies for free. You will get quotes in seconds, and if you ever have any questions, agents are just a text away. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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