Three Lions, two pints, one question: are you fit to drive the next day?

Motorists are being warned about the dangers of unknowingly driving over the alcohol limit the morning after a night of drinking, as new research indicates that many people are unsure when it is safe to get back behind the wheel.

With the 2026 World Cup in North America now in full swing, England is set to play Panama in its final group stage game on Saturday 27th June; but with a 10pm GMT kick off time, many fans may end up extending a night out into the early hours of Sunday morning.

Research by Direct Line found that two in five (40%) drivers who plan to watch the game anticipate needing to drive the following morning. Yet, just over a third (37%) say they can confidently tell whether they are under the legal drink-drive limit and a similar proportion (39%) admit they are unsure about how long it takes for alcohol to leave their system.

The ‘morning after’ confidence trap

While 36% of drivers surveyed say they rely on how they feel - rather than any accurate measures - to decide if they are fit to get on the road the morning after drinking, 36% say they find it confusing to work out when it becomes safe to drive.

On top of this, just under a third of drivers (32%) say they trust their own judgement more than official advice when deciding if they are safe to drive - a sentiment significantly higher amongst Generation Z (47%) compared to any other. This also follows previous data from Direct Line which revealed that, when asked to identify the correct legal limits, just over eight out of ten people (82%) guessed incorrectly or simply did not know.

The findings highlight the perception gap for drivers who may be relying on their instincts too much, potentially putting themselves and others at risk on the road.

Kevin Mead, Head of Motor says: “The reality is that there is no set number of units that can guarantee someone will be fit to drive the morning after drinking alcohol.

“Even if two people consume the same amount, they can still process it very differently as factors such as age, food consumed, and the speed at which they drink can all affect how much alcohol remains in their system.

“The advice is simple - never drive the following morning if you are unsure it is safe to do so.”

Knowing the limits

One fifth (20%) of drivers said they would feel comfortable driving the next morning after consuming 12 alcoholic units the night before - the equivalent of six pints or more than a bottle of wine - despite actually being over the legal limit. 

Just over two in five (41%) Gen Z drivers surveyed think the risks of driving the day after drinking are often exaggerated and one in two (50%) believe driving the day after drinking carries little risk if you didn’t drink heavily – higher than any other age group. Over half (54%) of Gen Z drivers say it’s common among their peers to drive the morning after heavy drinking, while 51% feel there is pressure to do so.

On average, Generation Z and Millennials confessed to have previously driven with less than five hours of sleep, after a night of drinking.

Direct Line’s four-step checklist

Before the evening ahead:

• Think about your plans for the next morning before you start drinking
• Be realistic about how much alcohol you expect to drink and when you'll stop
• Have a backup plan for the next morning – whether that’s public transport, a lift from a friend, taxi, or delaying the journey

While you're out:

• Keep track of how much you're drinking and over what time period
• Avoid rounds or untracked drinking, as it's easy to lose count
• Eat food and drink water, but don't assume this will make you safe to drive the next morning
• Remember that alcohol can still be in your system long after you stop drinking

At the end of the night:

• Don't make assumptions about being safe to drive simply because you'll get a night's sleep
• If you've been drinking heavily or late into the evening, plan on the basis that driving may not be safe the next day

The next morning:

• Don't rely on feeling fine, being well-rested, or having no hangover symptoms as proof that you're safe to drive
• If you've drunk heavily, finished drinking late, or aren't completely sure you're under the legal limit, don't drive

-ENDS-

Enquiries:

About Direct Line:

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line and is part of the Aviva Group.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com

Methodology:

_{The Direct Line research in this press release was carried out between 10 June – 16 June 2026 by Censuswide on behalf of Direct Line. There were 2,000 respondents, providing a sample of UK drivers by age, gender, and region.}