Spain's drink driving limits are stricter than in many other countries, and understanding them is essential both for passing the DGT theory test and for staying safe on the road. The legal blood alcohol limit for most drivers is 0.5 g/l in blood (or 0.25 mg/l in exhaled air), but novice and professional drivers face even tighter restrictions. Here is everything you need to know.

Legal Alcohol Limits for Driving in Spain

Spain's drink driving limits are set by the Reglamento General de Circulación (General Traffic Regulations) and enforced by the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico). There are two categories of limits:

Driver type Blood alcohol (g/l) Breath alcohol (mg/l)
General drivers 0.5 0.25
Novice drivers (less than 2 years with a licence) 0.3 0.15
Professional drivers (buses, lorries, taxis, emergency vehicles, dangerous goods, etc.) 0.3 0.15

Important for foreigners: if you have recently obtained your Spanish driving licence, you will be classed as a novice driver for the first two years. The lower limit of 0.3 g/l in blood (0.15 mg/l in breath) applies to you regardless of whether you held a licence in another country before.

How Alcohol Is Measured: Blood vs. Breath

The DGT theory test often asks you to recognise both units of measurement. Here is the relationship:

  • Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is measured in grams per litre (g/l) from a blood sample taken at a hospital or clinic.
  • Breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) is measured in milligrams per litre (mg/l) using a breathalyser at the roadside.
  • The breath reading is roughly half the blood reading. For example, 0.5 g/l in blood corresponds to 0.25 mg/l in breath.

In practice, the police almost always use a breathalyser first. If you dispute the result or if the reading is very high, a blood test may be requested at a medical facility. You have the right to request a second breathalyser test or a blood test, according to Article 22 of the General Traffic Regulations.

Penalties for Drink Driving in Spain

Penalties depend on how far over the limit you are. Spain distinguishes between administrative offences (fines and points) and criminal offences (which can lead to a criminal record, licence disqualification or even prison).

Administrative offences

Breath reading (mg/l) Fine Points deducted
0.25 – 0.50 (general) or 0.15 – 0.30 (novice/professional) €500 4
Above 0.50 (general) or above 0.30 (novice/professional) €1,000 6

Remember that Spain uses a points-based licence system: new drivers start with 8 points (experienced drivers have 12). Losing all your points means losing your licence.

Criminal offences

Driving with a breath alcohol reading above 0.60 mg/l (or above 1.2 g/l in blood) is a criminal offence under Article 379 of the Spanish Penal Code. Penalties may include:

  • A fine or prison sentence of 3 to 6 months.
  • Licence disqualification for 1 to 4 years.
  • Community service as an alternative to prison.
  • A criminal record, which can affect visa applications and employment.

Refusing a breathalyser test is also a criminal offence in Spain, punishable by the same penalties as driving above 0.60 mg/l.

Drug Driving in Spain

Spain has a zero-tolerance policy for drugs behind the wheel. Any presence of illegal substances detected in a roadside saliva test is an offence, regardless of quantity. The police can test for at least five substance types, including cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines and opiates.

The penalties for drug driving are similar to those for drink driving: a €1,000 fine and 6 points for an administrative offence, or criminal charges if the driver shows clear signs of impairment.

What You Should Know for the DGT Theory Test

Alcohol and drugs are one of the most common topics in the DGT theory exam. Questions typically test whether you know:

  • The exact legal limits in both units (g/l and mg/l) for general, novice and professional drivers.
  • That the risk of an accident increases even below the legal limit — the DGT emphasises that any amount of alcohol impairs reaction time, attention and judgement.
  • The penalties and the threshold for a criminal offence (0.60 mg/l in breath).
  • That refusing a breathalyser test is itself a criminal offence.
  • That drugs have zero tolerance: any detectable presence is penalised.

You can practise questions on this topic in our Road Safety section, which covers alcohol, drugs, fatigue and other impairments. To take a full 30-question mock exam, try our free DGT practice test.

How Spain Compares with Other Countries

If you are used to the drink driving rules in your home country, you may find Spain's limits different:

  • United Kingdom: 0.8 g/l in blood (0.35 mg/l in breath) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland — significantly higher than Spain. Scotland uses 0.5 g/l, the same as Spain's general limit.
  • Germany and France: 0.5 g/l, similar to Spain, but with stricter novice limits in Germany (0.0 g/l for drivers under 21 or with less than 2 years of experience).
  • United States: 0.8 g/l (0.08% BAC) in most states — much more lenient than Spain.
  • Sweden and Norway: 0.2 g/l — among the strictest in Europe.

If you are accustomed to a higher limit in your home country, be especially careful. What might be legally acceptable where you come from could result in a fine, points or even criminal charges in Spain.

The Proposed 0.2 g/l Limit: What Happened?

In early 2026, the DGT proposed lowering the general alcohol limit from 0.5 g/l to 0.2 g/l in blood, which would have made Spain one of the strictest countries in Europe. However, the Spanish Congress rejected this proposal on 18 March 2026, according to reports from RACE and other sources. The current limits of 0.5 g/l (general) and 0.3 g/l (novice/professional) remain in force.

The DGT has not ruled out revisiting this proposal in the future, so it is worth staying informed. For now, study for the exam using the current limits shown in the table above.

Practical Tips for Foreigners Living in Spain

  1. When in doubt, do not drink at all. Even one glass of wine can put a smaller person close to the limit. The DGT itself recommends zero alcohol if you are going to drive.
  2. Know your status. If you are a new licence holder in Spain (less than 2 years), the lower limit of 0.3 g/l applies — roughly one small beer for many people.
  3. Expect roadside checks. The DGT and local police carry out frequent alcohol and drug checkpoints, especially at night, on weekends and during holidays. Spain conducts over 5 million breath tests per year.
  4. Use alternatives. Taxis, ride-hailing apps and public transport are widely available in Spanish cities. Many towns in tourist areas also have night bus services.
  5. Do not refuse the test. Refusing a breathalyser is a criminal offence that carries the same penalties as driving well over the limit.

Understanding Spain's drink driving rules will help you pass the DGT theory test and, more importantly, keep you and others safe on the road. Practise with our 75 practice tests to make sure you are ready for exam day.