How long after drinking can you drive in Sweden?
Why no waiting time can be promised, and what the law says about the limit.
Short answer
No source checked gives a safe waiting time after drinking, because alcohol burns off at different speeds for different people, so the safest choice is not to drink before driving. Trafikverket says no miracle cure speeds up burn-off and that your ability can still be impaired the day after, even when the blood alcohol is zero.
Why
- Trafikverket says the speed of burn-off varies between individuals and that no miracle cure speeds it up: time is decisive.
- According to Trafikverket, performance can be noticeably impaired the day after, even when the blood alcohol is zero.
- NTF says it is always foolish to take a chance if you are not sure that all the alcohol has left the body.
Details
The legal limit is two tenths of a per mille of alcohol in the blood, according to the Act on penalties for certain traffic offences. Because the time to burn off differs from person to person and from occasion to occasion, no calculation can promise that you are under the limit. For more on alcohol rules, see alcohol and Systembolaget in Sweden.
Tip
If you have been drinking, do not drive and arrange another way, such as a taxi. For taxis in the capital, see taxi services in Stockholm.
What may differ
Burn-off differs from person to person and from occasion to occasion, according to NTF and Trafikverket, so the same drinks can mean different waiting times for different people.
Common misconception
Coffee, a cold shower or fresh air will make you sober faster.
What actually happens
Trafikverket says no miracle cure speeds up burn-off and that time is decisive.
People also ask
- How long after drinking alcohol can I drive in Sweden?
- When can I drive after having drinks?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Swedish Police before you travel.
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