Drink-driving limits in Italy (2026)
Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
In short: Italy punishes driving with more than 0.5 g/l (0.05%) of alcohol in the blood. Drivers under 21, those in their first three years with a category B licence and professional drivers have a zero limit. Police may carry out screening tests, and the highest band carries up to 12 months' arrest and up to two years of licence suspension.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Random breath tests without suspicionDriving after drinking alcohol | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Blood alcohol limit for ordinary driversDriving after drinking alcohol | 0.05 % blood alcohol [1] |
| Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcohol | Zero limit for drivers under 21 and for drivers in the first three years after getting a category B licence: any alcohol above zero is an offence. Up to 0.5 g/l the fine is EUR 168 to EUR 672 (doubled if the driver causes an accident); above 0.5 g/l the general penalties apply, increased by one third to one half. [2] |
| Limit for professional or commercial driversDriving after drinking alcohol | Zero limit for drivers who carry people or goods for work and for drivers of vehicles over 3.5 t, buses and articulated vehicles. Up to 0.5 g/l the fine is EUR 168 to EUR 672 (doubled if the driver causes an accident); above 0.5 g/l the general penalties apply, increased by one third to one half. Licence is always revoked above 1.5 g/l for drivers of vehicles over 3.5 t. [2] |
| Maximum penaltiesDriving after drinking alcohol | Above 1.5 g/l: fine of EUR 1,500 to EUR 6,000, arrest for 6 months to 1 year, licence suspension of 1 to 2 years and confiscation of the vehicle. Refusing a test carries the same penalties. The penalties are doubled if the driver causes an accident, and the fine is increased by one third to one half between 22:00 and 07:00. [1] |
Notes
- The official text of the Codice della strada (articles 186 and 186-bis) could not be read.
- The law punishes a blood alcohol level above 0.5 g/l. Lower limits apply to some drivers.
- The zero limit applies to drivers under 21 and, separately, to drivers in their first three years with a category B licence.
- Applies to drivers carrying people or goods as a profession and to drivers of the heavy vehicles listed in Article 186-bis.
- Penalties for the highest band. Lower bands carry smaller fines and shorter suspensions. Repeat offences within two years lead to revocation of the licence.
Sources
- Normattiva: Art. 186 D.Lgs. 30 aprile 1992, n. 285 - Guida sotto l'influenza dell'alcool (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
- Normattiva: Art. 186-bis D.Lgs. 30 aprile 1992, n. 285 - Guida sotto l'influenza dell'alcool per conducenti di età inferiore a ventuno anni, per i neo-patentati e per chi esercita professionalmente l'attività di trasporto di persone o di cose (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.