Alcohol limits in Europe

Found: 31
CountryVehicle registration platesMaximum blood alcohol content - Standard driversMaximum blood alcohol content - Novice driversMaximum blood alcohol content - Professional drivers
AustriaA< 0,5 ‰
(from 0.8 ‰, withdrawal of driving licence)
0,1 ‰
(less than 2 years' driving experience)
0,1 ‰
BelgiumB0.5 ‰0.5 ‰0.2 ‰
BulgariaBG0,0 ‰0,0 ‰0,0 ‰
CroatiaHR0,5 ‰0,0 ‰0,0 ‰
CyprusCY0.5 ‰0.5 ‰0.5 ‰
Czech RepublicCZ0,0 ‰0,0 ‰0,0 ‰
DenmarkDK0,5 ‰0,5 ‰0,5 ‰
EstoniaEST0,2 ‰0,2 ‰0,2 ‰
FinlandFIN0,5 ‰0,5 ‰0,5 ‰
FranceF0,5 ‰0,2 ‰
(who have held a driving licence for (a) less than 3 years, or (b) less than 2 years if the driver – in addition to completing 20 hours of hands-on driving lessons with an instructor - has driven at least 3000 km over a minimum of 2 years, accompanied by an experienced driver, before passing the driving test)
0,5 ‰
(For bus and coach drivers the limit is 0.2 ‰)
GermanyD0,5 ‰
above 1.1 ‰ is treated as a crime, 0.5-1.0 ‰ the penalty is a fine
0,0 ‰
less than 2 years' driving experience and under 21's
0,0 ‰
offenders can be sacked
GreeceGR0,5 ‰
(0,2 ‰ for motorbike and moped drivers)
0,2 ‰0,2 ‰
HungaryH0,0 ‰0,0 ‰0,0 ‰
IrelandIRL0.5 ‰
Maximum penalties on conviction for drink or drug driving is €5 000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.
0.2 ‰
Maximum penalties on conviction for drink or drug driving is €5 000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.
0.5 ‰
Maximum penalties on conviction for drink or drug driving is €5 000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.
ItalyI0,5 ‰0,0 ‰0,0 ‰
LatviaLV0,5 ‰0,2 ‰0,5 ‰
LiechtensteinL0,8 ‰0,8 ‰0,8 ‰
Prohibited from drinking alcohol either during working hours or 6 hours before their work starts
LithuaniaLT0,4 ‰0,0 ‰
less than 2 years' driving experience) and moped, motorcycle, tricycle, all kind of quadricycle drivers
0,0 ‰
vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes or with more than 9 seats, taxi drivers, drivers of vehicles transporting dangerous goods
LuxembourgL0,5 ‰0,2 ‰0,2 ‰
MaltaM0,8 ‰0,8 ‰0,8 ‰
NetherlandsNL0,5 ‰0,2 ‰
Less than 5 years' driving experience
0,5 ‰
NorwayN0,2 ‰0,2 ‰0,2 ‰
PolandPL< 0,2 ‰< 0,2 ‰< 0,2 ‰
PortugalP0,5 ‰0,5 ‰0,5 ‰
RomaniaRO0,0 ‰0,0 ‰0,0 ‰
SlovakiaSK0,0 ‰0,0 ‰0,0 ‰
SloveniaSLO0,5 ‰
0,24 mg/l breath
0,0 ‰0,0 ‰
SpainE0.5 ‰0.3 ‰0.3 ‰
Drivers are given two tests with (minimum) 10 minutes between.
SwedenS0,2 ‰0,2 ‰0,2 ‰
SwitzerlandCH0,5 ‰0,1 ‰
driving license on probation
0,1 ‰
trucks, buses, transport of dangerous goods
United KingdomGB0,8 ‰
0,5 ‰ in Scotland
0,8 ‰
0,5 ‰ in Scotland
0,8 ‰
0,5 ‰ in Scotland
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Last update: 12/8/2015
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