Am I allowed to drive after drinking alcohol?
No, in practice — the limit is just 0.2 per mille, among the lowest in the EU. Under the Road Traffic Offences Act (1951:649), drink-driving starts at 0.2‰ in the blood (0.10 mg/l in breath) and brings fines or up to 6 months in prison. Gross drink-driving at 1.0‰ brings up to 2 years. The licence is almost always revoked — at least 12 months for drink-driving and at least 24 for gross. For drugs there is zero tolerance: the slightest trace is enough. Even one strong beer can push you over, so abstain completely.
📋 The rules
- Drink-driving from 0.2‰ (0.10 mg/l): fines or up to 6 months prison
- Gross drink-driving from 1.0‰: up to 2 years prison
- Licence revoked for at least 12 months (24 if gross)
- An ordinary drink-driving fine is income-based day-fines
- Zero tolerance for drugs at the wheel — the slightest trace counts
🔓 Exceptions
- Prescription medicines are exempt from the drug zero-tolerance rule
- An alcohol interlock can sometimes replace revocation
- A warning instead of revocation only in very mild cases
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Drink-driving: day-fines or up to 6 months prison + licence revoked at least 12 months. Gross: up to 2 years + at least 24 months. The vehicle can be forfeited on repeat offences.
📎 Official sources
- Road Traffic Offences Act (1951:649) · Riksdagen →
- Swedish Police · Drink-driving →
- Transport Agency · Alcohol interlock →
❓ Frequently asked
How many beers can I drink and still drive?
In practice none. The 0.2‰ limit can be reached by a single strong beer depending on body and time.
What is the penalty for drink-driving?
Day-fines or up to 6 months prison, plus a licence revoked for at least 12 months.
What counts as gross drink-driving?
From 1.0‰ in the blood, or clear impairment/danger. It carries up to 2 years in prison.
Is there any limit for drugs?
No. It is zero tolerance — the slightest trace of a drug at the wheel is punishable.
Can I keep my licence with an interlock?
Sometimes an alcohol interlock can replace revocation, but it is assessed case by case.
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