Can I drive after drinking?
Conditional: you can drive below 0.5 g/l; above that it's an offence, and from 1.2 g/l it's a crime. The general limit is 0.5 g/l of blood alcohol, but it's 0.2 g/l for new drivers (first 3 years) and professional drivers (taxi/TVDE, heavy vehicles, dangerous goods). The bands: 0.5–0.8 g/l = serious (fine €250–€1,250 + ban 1 month–1 year); 0.8–1.2 g/l = very serious (fine €500–€2,500 + ban 2 months–2 years); ≥1.2 g/l = crime (Art. 292 of the Penal Code). Refusing the test is also a crime of disobedience. In short: below 0.5 yes, above no.
📋 The rules
- General limit: 0.5 g/l of blood alcohol
- 0.2 g/l for new (3 years) and professional drivers
- 0.5–0.8 g/l: serious, €250–€1,250 + ban 1 month–1 year
- 0.8–1.2 g/l: very serious, €500–€2,500 + 2 months–2 years
- ≥1.2 g/l: a crime (Art. 292 of the Penal Code)
🔓 Exceptions
- New/professional drivers at 0.2–0.5 g/l: penalized (serious level)
- Refusing the test: crime of disobedience (Art. 348 PC)
- Breathalysers already deduct the metrological margin
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Fines run from €250 to €2,500 depending on the band, with a driving ban of 1 month to 2 years and licence points. From 1.2 g/l it's no longer an administrative offence but a crime (Art. 292 PC): up to 1 year in prison or up to 120 day-fines, a court driving ban of 3 months to 3 years and a criminal record. Refusing the test is also a crime. Beware myths: the 0.2 g/l is not the new general limit — 0.5 g/l remains general; and don't import Brazil's near-zero "Lei Seca." To stay compliant: if you've been drinking, don't drive; remember that from 1.2 g/l it's a crime, not just a bigger fine, and that refusing the test also lands you in criminal proceedings.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
What's the alcohol limit for driving?
The general limit is 0.5 g/l of blood alcohol. For drivers with under 3 years of licence and for professional drivers, the limit drops to 0.2 g/l. Above these values it's an administrative offence, and from 1.2 g/l driving becomes a crime.
When is drink-driving a crime?
From 1.2 g/l of blood alcohol. In that case it's no longer an administrative offence but a crime, under Art. 292 of the Penal Code, with up to 1 year in prison or a fine, a driving ban of 3 months to 3 years and a criminal record.
What's the fine for drink-driving?
It depends on the band. Between 0.5 and 0.8 g/l, the fine is €250 to €1,250 with a ban of 1 month to 1 year. Between 0.8 and 1.2 g/l, €500 to €2,500 with a ban of 2 months to 2 years. Above 1.2 g/l it's already a crime, with heavier penalties.
What happens if I refuse the test?
Refusing the alcohol test is itself a crime of disobedience, under Art. 348 of the Penal Code. So refusing doesn't avoid the problem: it also lands you in criminal proceedings, with a possible prison sentence or fine and a driving ban.
Did the limit become 0.2 for everyone?
No. The 0.2 g/l applies only to new drivers, in the first 3 years, and to professional drivers. For the general body of drivers, the limit remains 0.5 g/l. It's a myth that the limit dropped to 0.2 for everyone.
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