Can I drive after drinking?
Only below the limit — and better, none at all. In Spain the general limit is 0.25 mg/l of alcohol in breath (0.5 g/l in blood), dropping to 0.15 mg/l (0.3 g/l) for new drivers (under 2 years) and professionals. Exceeding it is a very serious offence: between 0.25 and 0.50 mg/l, EUR 500 and 4 points; above 0.50 mg/l, EUR 1,000 and 6 points. From 0.60 mg/l in breath (1.2 g/l in blood) it's a crime (Penal Code), with possible prison, fine or community service and licence withdrawal. Refusing the test is also a crime. The same rules apply to drugs and the e-scooter.
📋 The rules
- General limit: 0.25 mg/l in breath (0.5 g/l in blood)
- New and professional drivers: 0.15 mg/l (0.3 g/l)
- 0.25-0.50 mg/l: EUR 500 and 4 points
- Over 0.50 mg/l: EUR 1,000 and 6 points
- From 0.60 mg/l in breath: a crime
🔓 Exceptions
- The same regime applies to drugs at the wheel
- Refusing the alcohol or drug test is a crime
- Scooters (VMP) and bikes are also sanctioned for alcohol
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Exceeding the administrative limit brings EUR 500 and 4 points (0.25-0.50 mg/l) or EUR 1,000 and 6 points (over 0.50). From 0.60 mg/l in breath (1.2 g/l in blood) it's a crime punished with 3 to 6 months in prison, a fine or community service, plus licence withdrawal of 1 to 4 years. Refusing the breath test is a separate, equally serious crime. In a crash, alcohol aggravates liability.
📎 Official sources
- DGT · Alcohol and driving →
- BOE · Traffic, Circulation and Road Safety Law →
- BOE · Penal Code (road-safety crimes) →
❓ Frequently asked
How much alcohol can I have to drive?
The general limit is 0.25 mg/l in breath (0.5 g/l in blood), and 0.15 mg/l for new and professional drivers. In practice, the safest thing is to drink nothing if you're going to drive.
What's the fine for drink-driving?
Between 0.25 and 0.50 mg/l, EUR 500 and 4 points; above 0.50 mg/l, EUR 1,000 and 6 points. From 0.60 mg/l in breath it's already a crime, with possible prison and licence withdrawal of 1 to 4 years.
When is drink-driving a crime?
From 0.60 mg/l in breath (1.2 g/l in blood) it's a crime under the Penal Code, with 3 to 6 months in prison, a fine or community service, plus licence withdrawal. Refusing the test is also a crime.
And if I'm a new driver?
The limit is stricter: 0.15 mg/l in breath (0.3 g/l in blood) for the first two years of the licence. The same applies to professional drivers. Exceeding it costs 4 or 6 points by level.
Does it apply to e-scooters?
Yes. Riding a VMP or a bike under the influence is sanctioned like a car, with fines of EUR 500 to 1,000. Alcohol and drug tests are mandatory for these vehicles too.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
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