Legal Limit Alcohol Germany
The figures presented above refer to drivers experienced in the private environment. These limitations do not exist in the example of professional drivers such as bus drivers. In these cases, more is expected of the driver and given less leeway. Similarly, these limits do not apply to young drivers (under 21 years of age) and new drivers (those who have had their driver`s licence for 2 years or less), as they should have an alcohol limit of 0.0 mg per 100 ml of blood. Thus, even a small beer is too much in these cases. Alcohol should be completely avoided for these groups of drivers. At Schlun & Elseven, we advise and support you in all traffic offences. Our firm has experience in cases involving drunk driving and other alcohol-related cases. Our lawyers legally advise our clients on the possibilities and also represent them in court if the case so requires. The amount of alcohol a driver can have in their system while driving varies depending on the situation. Similarly, the penalty varies. In addition, it should also be noted that the amounts indicated do not leave a person a free hand, since in the case of dangerous driving, the amount of alcohol previously consumed is taken into account – even if it is within the legal limits.
Below are the limits when it comes to experienced drivers. Burkhard Blienert, Federal Government Commissioner for Drug and Drug Addiction, spoke on the subject of the drinking age in Germany and called for raising it to 18 for all alcoholic beverages and abolishing the regulation of “accompanied consumption with alcohol” from the age of 14. [9] Private consumption of alcohol by minors is not regulated by any specific legal restrictions. However, protection from physical and mental harm is part of the general duty of care of parents. [1] With regard to the purchase and consumption of alcohol in public places (e.g. pubs and restaurants), there are three minimum ages for drinking alcohol in Germany, which are regulated by § 9 of the Youth Protection Act[2]: A study by RWI Essen found a link between the age of 16 and the subsequent consumption of more alcohol and the commission of other crimes. [6] Under the Youth Protection Act, the sale, supply and supply of alcoholic beverages on authorized premises, in points of sale or elsewhere in public by a person over 18 years of age to a person who has not reached the prescribed age limits is considered an administrative offence. Infringements can result in fines of up to €50,000. [10] Violations of the restrictions will be prosecuted for sellers who sell alcohol to minors and bystanders who do not interfere with underage drinking. Although the restrictions are national and well known, some sellers sometimes break the law. Minors themselves can never be prosecuted for alcohol consumption by minors.
Supermarkets and shops usually check the ID card of minors. The law is less rigorously enforced in many bars and restaurants, but this can vary depending on the location. Again, with so many road users using German roads, it is important to drive as carefully as possible so as not to put yourself and/or others at risk. However, if you find yourself in a situation requiring legal assistance, do not hesitate to contact us directly. Every local German police service has a driving licence issuing service. The legal exchange of a foreign licence for a German licence always takes place at a local registration office, called the “driving licence office”. To exchange your driving licence and obtain a German one, you must complete the application and present a residence permit, at least two passport-size photos and proof of completion of a first aid course. You will also need to have an eye test, which you can take at a private optician or at the technical monitoring association. Drunk driving, which includes the influence of drugs, is preventable. USAG RP has several resources and support organizations that can help address the root causes of impaired driving, alcohol and drug abuse.
A clearly legible notice of the restrictions of the Youth Protection Act[20] must be posted in authorized places and the bartender must ensure that alcoholic beverages cannot be sold or served to minors or visibly drunk persons. [21] Licensed restaurant operators cannot force customers to purchase a meal with a beverage or change prices if a customer does not order a meal. Changing prices if a customer does not buy an alcoholic beverage is also against the law, and every licensee must ensure that there is at least one soft drink that is cheaper than the cheapest alcoholic beverage. [21] This results in three different ages for consuming alcohol, depending on the type of alcoholic beverage and the circumstances: According to the host country`s impaired driving laws, violating a blood alcohol level of 0.05% or driving under the influence of drugs has the following consequences: German laws also provide for measures against people who drive under the influence of alcohol at previous meetings. Anyone who drives a car in Germany always undergoes a blood test. In Germany, the blood alcohol limit is 0.5 mg of alcohol per mm of blood. For a medium-sized man, these are just two small beers. KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — As the Super Bowl and Carnival (the German equivalent of Mardi Gras) approach, there is no shortage of opportunities to party, and garrison management is reminding the community to do so responsibly with respect to alcohol and possible driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).
Electric scooters have become increasingly popular since their arrival in Germany. They can now be seen in all major cities! However, it should be noted that this mode of transport is regulated and should not be treated as a toy. In terms of alcohol limits, electric scooters are regulated in the same way as cars. If a person is caught with an electric scooter with alcohol in their system above the legal amount, they can receive a driving ban, and it is even possible to lose their driver`s license or face jail, depending on the type of offense. Again, it is recommended to stick to the limits for cars, as they are similar to those for electric scooters. Public festivals are banned nationally on Good Friday and regionally on other public holidays such as All Saints` Day. The purchase of alcohol remains possible at these times. The government reserves the right to restrict or prohibit the sale of alcohol for a certain period of time in order to maintain public order (§ 19 GastG). [12] Contact us for full legal assistance in criminal matters. German laws regulating the consumption and sale of alcohol focus primarily on the protection of minors. Unlike many other countries, the legislation is not intended to keep young people completely away from alcohol, but to teach them how to manage alcohol consumption appropriately. It is difficult to say how many drinks match these numbers, as individuals have different reactions to alcohol.
Factors such as the amount of food consumed by the individual and their physical health also play a role. In general, it is believed that a small beer (0.3 ml) corresponds to about 0.3 mg of alcohol per 100 mm of blood. Therefore, small beer is considered the limit. However, if a person is caught driving a dangerous vehicle, the amount of alcohol in their system will be taken into account, even if it is below the legal limit. A sure way to solve this problem is to avoid alcohol as much as possible or limit it to minimal amounts. There are special cases of traffic offences that can immediately result in the suspension of your German driving licence. If a driver exceeds the speed limit by more than 30 km, he can lose the right to drive for up to three months. A fine may also be included in the penalty.
You may already be allowed to drive in Germany and you don`t even know it. If you have a driving licence issued by a country that is currently part of the European Union, you are automatically entitled to drive in Germany indefinitely. If your driving licence was issued by a country outside the European Union, you can legally drive in Germany for six months from the date of your arrival. In a representative survey on YouGov from 2015, a majority of the 1252 participants were in favour of raising the minimum age for light alcoholic beverages in Germany to 18. [8] In 2008, the Land of Lower Saxony launched a series of trap purchases by specially trained police cadets aged 16 or 17 posing as customers. In 77% of the tests, alcohol was sold illegally in stores, gas stations and kiosks. In 2009, about 3000 trap purchases were made in Lower Saxony, in 1327 cases (44%) alcohol was sold to minors without age verification. Hundreds of summary proceedings have resulted in fines ranging from €500 to €3,000. The standard rate for the illegal sale of a bottle of spirits is 1500 euros. Thus, purchases of alcohol traps bring in about 2 million euros annually. Other Länder, notably Schleswig-Holstein, are considering implementing the Lower Saxony model, but states such as Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg oppose it.
Germany has strict laws governing driving motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol and other psychoactive substances. There are a number of different rules and penalties related to different blood alcohol levels. It is legal to consume alcohol while driving, as long as the driver remains below the legal blood alcohol limit. [16] Sanctions begin with a €500 fine and a one-month license ban.