Can I drive after drinking alcohol?
No, if you've been drinking: Romania has very little tolerance at the wheel. Driving after drinking splits into two: any value of 0.01–0.40 mg/l of pure alcohol in exhaled air is a contravention, and over 0.40 mg/l becomes a crime. The 0.40 mg/l threshold in exhaled air corresponds, on average, to a blood alcohol level of about 0.80 g/l, but in criminal cases the value from the blood test is what counts. In practice, even a single beer can push the value over the contravention limit. For a contravention (under 0.40 mg/l) there's a fine and licence suspension; over 0.40 mg/l comes a criminal file, with a prison penalty. Refusing to give biological samples is itself a crime. The safest rule: if you've been drinking, don't drive.
📋 The rules
- 0.01–0.40 mg/l in exhaled air: contravention
- Over 0.40 mg/l: crime (art. 336 Penal Code)
- 0.40 mg/l air ≈ 0.80 g/l blood alcohol
- Contravention: fine + licence suspension
- Refusing biological samples: a separate crime
🔓 Exceptions
- Zero tolerance for THC and other psychoactive substances
- The certain value in criminal cases is from the blood test
- The rule also applies on a bicycle, scooter or cart on public roads
⚠️ Penalties & fines
For a level of 0.01–0.40 mg/l in exhaled air (contravention) there's a fine and licence suspension of about 90 days. Over 0.40 mg/l the act is a crime under art. 336 of the Penal Code, punished with imprisonment of 1 to 5 years or a criminal fine and a ban on driving. Refusing to give biological samples is punished as severely as a high level. If you cause an accident under the influence of alcohol, penalties rise. The only safe approach: if you've drunk alcohol, don't get behind the wheel — use a taxi, public transport or a designated driver.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
What's the alcohol limit at the wheel in Romania?
Any value between 0.01 and 0.40 mg/l of pure alcohol in exhaled air is a contravention. Over 0.40 mg/l the act becomes a crime. In practice Romania has very little tolerance: even a small amount of alcohol can push the value over the contravention threshold and cost you your licence.
At what value does it become a crime?
From over 0.40 mg/l of pure alcohol in exhaled air, which on average corresponds to a blood alcohol level of about 0.80 g/l. In criminal cases the certain value is the one from the blood sample analysis, not just the one shown by the breathalyser at the roadside check.
What do I risk for a value under 0.40 mg/l?
It's a contravention: a fine and licence suspension of about 90 days. Even without a criminal file, you're left without a licence for a while and pay the fine. That's why, even after a single beer, you risk significant consequences if you get behind the wheel.
What happens if I refuse testing?
Refusing to give biological samples is itself a crime, punished as severely as a high alcohol level. So refusing doesn't help you — on the contrary, it exposes you to a criminal file, regardless of how much alcohol you actually drank.
Does the limit apply to bicycles or scooters too?
Yes. The rules on driving under the influence of alcohol apply on public roads to bicycles, e-scooters and other vehicles too. Riding such a vehicle after drinking can bring sanctions, so the safest thing is not to drive any vehicle after you've had alcohol.
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