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

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

Cost: 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.

In plain terms: Driving after drinking results in a 6‑month suspension of your license and a fine of 1000–2000 yuan. A second offense brings up to 10 days in jail and permanent license revocation. Drunk driving leads to immediate license cancellation; you can’t reapply for 5 years and may face criminal charges for dangerous driving, leaving a criminal record that affects background checks and certain jobs. Auto insurance won’t cover any claims: once you’ve been drinking, your policy becomes void. Even “just moving the car a bit” counts as driving.

Benefit: Temporary suspension of the license for 6 months and a fine ranging from 1000 to 2000 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 5000‑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).

Evidence grade: A

Sources: National People's Congress Standing Committee (2021). Road Traffic Safety Law (Revised in 2021, Article 91). <https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/205308/index.html> (Reprinted by Beijing Municipal Public Security and Traffic Management Bureau); National People's Congress Standing Committee (2015). Criminal Law Amendment (9) (Article 8, Article 133-1 of the Criminal Law). <https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180205_364562.shtml>; Insurance Association of China (2020). Model Clauses for Motor Vehicle Commercial Insurance (2020 Edition) (Article 9, 22). <https://www.iachina.cn/art/2020/9/4/art_24_104621.html>

Notes: 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.