Driving a car
The legal alcohol limit in Switzerland: what’s the risk of drinking and driving?
Getting behind the wheel after drinking too much alcohol is prohibited in Switzerland. If you have a blood alcohol level of 0.5 parts per thousand or above, there is a risk of legal consequences. New drivers are subject to an absolute ban on drinking alcohol when in charge of a vehicle.
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1. How high is your blood alcohol level legally allowed to be while in charge of a vehicle?
The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers of cars and motorcycles is 0.5 parts per thousand. This means that a blood alcohol level of 0.49 parts per thousand is permitted.
People with a probationary driving licence and professional drivers are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol and then driving.
There are also blood alcohol level limits in force in nearby countries. However, they are not consistent in their application.
2. How much alcohol would make me unfit to drive?
People react differently to alcohol depending on their gender, age, weight and height. Of course, even small amounts of alcohol affect a person’s perception and increase the risk of accidents happening.
The legal tolerance limit can be easily exceeded. For example, if a man weighing 90 kg drinks two cups of mulled wine, he will have 0.5 parts per thousand of alcohol in his blood. This means he is no longer allowed to drive.
Influence of alcohol: the differences between women and men
Blood alcohol level increases faster in women than it does in men. The reason for this in most cases is that women have a higher body fat percentage and a lower body water percentage. When alcohol is dispersed in a lower volume of water, the alcohol level rises quicker.
Women also have lower amounts of the enzyme ADH, which means that they break down alcohol more slowly than men.
When can I drive again after drinking alcohol?
On average, the human body breaks down approximately 0.1 parts per thousand per hour. This process cannot be accelerated. If you go to bed after drinking a large amount of alcohol, you can expect to have elevated blood alcohol levels in the morning. Therefore, you may not be allowed to drive a car yet.
3. What are the legal consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol?
Driving under the influence of alcohol is not a trivial offence. Anyone caught driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol at a police checkpoint can quickly expect serious legal consequences.
Blood alcohol level table
| Less than 0.5 parts per thousand (<0.25 mg/l) |
No penalty – you are allowed to continue driving. This does not apply to people who are subject to an alcohol ban, such as new drivers and professional drivers. |
| 0.5 to 0.79 parts per thousand (0.25 mg/l to 0.39 mg/l) |
Minor offence Did you not break any other traffic rules and have a clean record? If so, you can expect a fine and a warning in line with the law. |
| From 0.8 parts per thousand (>0.39 mg/l) |
Serious offence There is a risk of a large fine or a custodial sentence of up to three years. Your driving licence will be revoked for at least three months. |
Serious consequences in the event of a repeat offence
The penalties are much harsher for repeat offenders. The driving ban will also be considerably longer. Your licence may even be revoked indefinitely.
4. Drinking and driving: how a roadside breath test works
A roadside breath test is carried out by the police. You will be stopped in the street and must follow the instructions provided by the police officers.
The test is usually carried out by means of a breath test. In addition, evidential breath testing devices are increasingly being used.
How it works: you blow into the mouthpiece of the testing device for at least five seconds. The device will then show how much alcohol is in your breath.
Good to know: blood samples are only taken in exceptional cases – such as in the case of serious accidents or suspected drug use. However, the person being tested can request a blood sample themselves. This will cost around 400 francs.
5. Strict drinking ban for new drivers and professional drivers
Do you have a probationary driving licence? If so, you are subject to a strict ban on drinking alcohol when driving. This also applies to professional drivers.
The limit is 0.1 parts per thousand. There is thus a certain measuring tolerance. This is because certain foods, such as fruits, cause your blood alcohol level to rise very slightly.
Be aware, however, that when consuming foods containing alcohol, such as certain chocolates, the value can quickly jump to 0.1 parts per thousand or higher. Therefore, new drivers and professional drivers should steer clear of foods containing alcohol.
Consequences for new drivers
Are you a new driver and have you tested with a blood alcohol level of at least 0.1 parts per thousand? If so, you can expect the following extra measures in addition to the standard legal sanctions:
If a driving licence is being revoked for the first time, the probationary period will be extended by one year.
If a driving licence is being revoked for a second offence, the driver will lose their probationary driving licence. A new driver’s licence can be applied for at the earliest one year after the original licence has been revoked. The driver will also be required to undergo, and pass, a psychological assessment of fitness to drive.
6. Am I insured if I am involved in an accident while under the influence of alcohol?
Anyone who causes an accident under the influence of alcohol is considered to be acting with gross negligence and can expect far-reaching legal consequences.
In addition, there may also be claims for legal regress from liability insurance, comprehensive insurance and accident insurance providers. This means that insurance providers can demand money back from you and cut your benefits. Depending on the damage caused, this can quickly add up to very large amounts of money.
Some car insurance providers offer gross negligence cover for an additional charge. However, this cover does not apply if the insured person is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or has committed serious speeding offences.
