What a blood alcohol reading means in Germany
This tool does not estimate your blood alcohol from drinks; it shows what a given reading means under German law.
Checked by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method
Amount due (fine + fees)
€528.50
| BKat number | 241 |
| Standard fine | €500 |
| Fee and expenses (Section 107 OWiG) | €28.50 |
| Flensburg points | 2 |
| Driving ban | 1 month |
| Probation | A offence |
Standard rates of the BKatV as amended on 12 Aug 2026. Authorities and courts may deviate in an individual case.
How we calculateFee 5% of the fine, at least €25, plus €3.50 delivery.
Most online calculators guess a blood alcohol level from drinks, weight and sex. We deliberately do not: there is no official formula, and Germany's Federal Institute for Public Health describes the results of such calculators as approximate values for healthy adults only. This tool starts from the reading itself, measured or assumed, and shows what German law attaches to it. From 0.5 per mille in the blood, or 0.25 mg/l in breath, Section 24a of the Road Traffic Act means a fine of 500 euros, a 1-month driving ban and 2 points, more with earlier entries. From 1.1 per mille it is a crime under Section 316 of the Criminal Code, and from 0.3 if you show signs of impairment. From 1.6 the licensing authority orders an MPU assessment. Drivers on probation and anyone under 21 must have zero alcohol: any amount costs 250 euros and a point.
The thresholds the tool checks
| Reading | Consequence | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| any amount on probation or under 21 | €250, 1 point | Section 24c StVG, no. 243b |
| from 0.3 with signs of impairment | possible crime | Section 316 StGB |
| from 0.5 or 0.25 mg/l | €500, 1 month, 2 points | Section 24a StVG, no. 241 |
| from 1.1 | crime, licence withdrawn | Section 316 StGB |
| from 1.6 or 0.8 mg/l | MPU assessment ordered | Section 13 FeV |
The 0.3 and 1.1 thresholds come from case law on Section 316 of the Criminal Code, not from the statute; the German police prevention programme states them explicitly. For cyclists the criminal threshold is 1.6. Our page on the alcohol limit explains who is affected by which limit, and drink-driving penalties covers repeat offences.
Where the tool stops
In a criminal case, prosecutors and courts decide on a fine or prison and on the period before a new licence; there is no catalogue for that, so the tool only names the rule. For the assessment that often follows, see the MPU page.