Am I allowed to drive after drinking alcohol in Norway?
No, in practice — the alcohol limit is just 0.2, among the strictest in the world. Under Road Traffic Act §22 the limit is 0.2 per mille (0.1 mg/l in breath), and a single drink can already put you over. The penalty rises in three bands: 0.2–0.5 brings a fine, 0.5–1.2 a fine and suspended prison, and over 1.2 a fine and unconditional prison. At the higher levels the fine is often set at 1.5 times gross monthly pay, and rarely falls below 10,000 kr. The licence is lost for at least one year, at least two over 1.2, and a repeat within five years can bring a lifetime loss. "Topping up" alcohol after driving to hide the level is a separate offence. Leave the car.
📋 The rules
- Alcohol limit 0.2 (0.1 mg/l in breath)
- 0.2–0.5: a fine
- 0.5–1.2: a fine and suspended prison
- Over 1.2: a fine and unconditional prison
- Licence loss at least 1 year (at least 2 years over 1.2)
🔓 Exceptions
- The fine can be lower at very low levels, but rarely under 10,000 kr
- A repeat within five years can bring a lifetime loss of licence
- "Topping up" alcohol after driving to hide the level is forbidden
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The penalty comes in three bands: 0.2–0.5 brings a fine, 0.5–1.2 a fine and suspended prison, and over 1.2 a fine and unconditional prison. At the higher levels the fine is often set at 1.5 times gross monthly pay — it is income-based — and it rarely falls below 10,000 kr. The licence is lost for at least one year, at least two years over 1.2, and a repeat within five years can bring a lifetime loss. Injury or death can add up to three years prison under the Penal Code. Topping up alcohol after driving to hide the level is itself an offence.
📎 Official sources
- Road Traffic Act §22 · Lovdata →
- Licence-Loss Regulation ch. 3 · Lovdata →
- Director of Public Prosecutions · Circular 2/2021 →
❓ Frequently asked
How many drinks can I have and still drive?
In practice none. The 0.2 limit can be reached by a single drink, depending on body weight and how long ago you drank, and there is no safe rule of thumb for how much you can take.
What is the penalty for drink-driving?
The penalty comes in three bands: 0.2–0.5 brings a fine, 0.5–1.2 a fine and suspended prison, and over 1.2 a fine and unconditional prison. If the driving causes injury or death, the Penal Code can add up to three years prison.
How much is the fine?
At the higher levels the fine is often set at 1.5 times gross monthly pay, so it scales with your income. Even at a very low level the fine rarely falls below 10,000 kr, so sitting just over the limit is no cheap outcome.
Do I lose my licence?
Yes, for at least one year, and for at least two years over 1.2. The loss comes on top of the fine and any prison term — it is not an alternative to them — and drink-driving again within five years can bring a lifetime loss.
What happens on a repeat?
Drink-driving again within five years can bring a lifetime loss of licence. The five years run from the previous offence, and the fine and prison term are still set according to the alcohol level.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I drive after one beer norway”
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- “over 1.2 prison norway”
- “licence loss drink driving”
- “fine drink driving monthly income”