Drink-driving check: how many points and euros will I lose?
Redacción
6 August 2018
3 min. 
Failing a drink or drug driving test carries very severe penalties: financial, points-based and even criminal.
Drink-driving checks have been stepped up in recent years. Drinking alcohol and taking drugs while driving, especially during holiday periods, is one of the problems the DGT is trying to tackle in order to reduce road casualties on our roads. A few weeks ago we talked about traffic fines that lead to greater point deductions and financial penalties, and as you might expect, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs falls into this category of penalties. Do you know what fine awaits you if you drink and drive? Below we set out the different penalties you will face if you make the mistake of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Maximum permitted alcohol levels for driving
This is the part we all know best, but just in case you have any doubts, it is important to know that the DGT allows you to drive with a certain percentage of alcohol in the blood. The problem arises when we exceed that percentage, which also varies depending on the type of driver you are (novice, professional or ordinary).
| DRIVERS |
BLOOD LIMIT |
BREATH LIMIT |
|
(1) GENERAL |
0.5 g/l |
0.25 mg/l |
|
(2) PROFESSIONAL |
0.3 g/l |
0.15 mg/l |
|
(3) NOVICE |
0.3 g/l |
0.15 mg/l |
Penalties for driving above the permitted alcohol level
If you exceed the above limits, you will face the following penalties:
| LEVEL | PENALTY | |
|
ALCOHOL |
Between 0.25 mg/l and up to 0.50 mg/l |
500 euros and 4 points |
|
More than 0.50 mg/l |
1,000 euros and 6 points |
|
| Repeat offenders | 1,000 euros and 4 or 6 points (depending on the level recorded) | |
Criminal penalties for significantly exceeding the permitted alcohol level
Significantly exceeding the permitted alcohol level is considered a criminal offence, and carries the following penalties:
| OFFENCE | PENALTIES | |
| ALCOHOL | Levels above:
– 0.60 mg/l in breath. – 1.2 g/l in blood.
|
Imprisonment of three to six months or a fine of six to twelve months or community service of 30 to 90 days, and deprivation of the right to drive for one to four years. |
| Refusal to submit to testing. | Imprisonment of six months to one year and deprivation of the right to drive for one to four years | |
Penalties for driving under the influence of other drugs
Unlike alcohol, there is no permitted level for drugs. Any level is penalised with a 1,000 euro fine and the loss of 6 points from your licence. In addition, driving under the influence of drugs is considered a criminal offence regardless of the level, so if the case is dealt with through administrative channels it carries the following penalty:
| OFFENCE | PENALTIES | |
| DRUGS | Driving under the influence of toxic drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances
|
Imprisonment of three to six months or a fine of six to twelve months or community service of 30 to 90 days, and deprivation of the right to drive for one to four years. |
| Refusal to submit to testing | Imprisonment of six months to one year and deprivation of the right to drive for one to four years | |
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