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 income-based day-fines or up to 6 months in prison. Gross drink-driving from 1.0‰ brings up to 2 years. What hurts most is the licence: it is almost always revoked, for at least 12 months and at least 24 if gross, and on repeat offences the vehicle can be forfeited. For drugs there is zero tolerance — the slightest trace counts, and only prescription medicines are exempt. A single strong beer can already put you over 0.2‰, so "one beer is fine" is simply wrong.
📋 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 brings income-based day-fines or up to 6 months in prison, plus a licence revoked for at least 12 months — a full year off the road. Gross drink-driving from 1.0‰ brings up to 2 years in prison and at least 24 months' revocation. On repeat offences the vehicle can be forfeited, that is, taken away from you. An alcohol interlock can sometimes replace revocation, but it is assessed case by case and is not a right. For drugs there is zero tolerance: the slightest trace is enough to convict, even if you did not feel impaired when you got behind the wheel.
📎 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 your body weight and how much time has passed, and alcohol leaves the body slowly — so last night's party can still be with you in the morning.
What is the penalty for drink-driving?
Day-fines or up to 6 months in prison, plus a licence revoked for at least 12 months. Because day-fines are calculated on your income, the same reading costs different drivers very different amounts.
What counts as gross drink-driving?
From 1.0‰ in the blood, but clear impairment or driving that created real danger can also make the offence gross. It carries up to 2 years in prison and the licence is revoked for at least 24 months.
Is there any limit for drugs?
No, there is zero tolerance — the slightest traceable amount of a drug at the wheel is punishable, whether or not you feel impaired. The exception is medicine prescribed to you and taken as directed.
Can I keep my licence with an interlock?
Sometimes an alcohol interlock can replace revocation, but it is assessed case by case and is not a right. In very mild cases you may get a warning instead, but the main rule is that the licence goes.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I drive after one beer sweden”
- “drink driving limit per mille sweden”
- “drink driving penalty sweden”
- “gross drink driving 1.0 sweden”
- “licence revoked drink driving sweden”
- “zero tolerance drugs driving sweden”