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Alcohol limit for new drivers in Germany: 0.0 ‰

Zero means zero

During the two-year probation period (Probezeit) and for every driver under 21, the limit is 0.0 per mille. That means no alcohol at all before driving – not even one beer.

And for everyone else?

For experienced drivers over 21 the general limit is 0.5 per mille. From 0.3 per mille you can already be punished if you show signs of impaired driving or cause an accident.

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Why it matters for the theory test

→ How to pass the German theory test on the first try

Alcohol and drugs are a fixed topic in the theory exam, and the numbers are easy to mix up. Remember: 0.0 for new drivers and under 21, 0.3 with signs of unsafe driving, 0.5 general limit.

German terms to know

• Promillegrenze – blood alcohol limit
• Probezeit – probation period
• Fahranfänger – new driver
• Fahrverbot – driving ban

Fahrlingua covers alcohol, drugs and all other theory topics in 22 languages with the German original side by side.

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