Traffic Rules
SECTION XII
Special safety rules
SECTION X
Traffic on certain roads or sections
Chapter I
Common provisions
Title II
Transit of Vehicles and Animals
Código da Estrada
Article 81
Driving under the influence of alcohol or psychotropic substances
SECTION XII - Special safety rules
SECTION X - Traffic on certain roads or sections
Chapter I - Common provisions
Title II - Transit of Vehicles and Animals

1 - Driving under the influence of alcohol or psychotropic substances is prohibited.

2 - A driver is considered to be under the influence of alcohol if they have a blood alcohol level equal to or greater than 0.5 g/l or if, following a test carried out in accordance with this Code and complementary legislation, they are considered to be so in a medical report.

3 - Drivers on probation and drivers of rescue or emergency vehicles, collective transport vehicles for children and young people up to the age of 16, cabs, TVDEs, heavy passenger or goods vehicles or vehicles transporting dangerous goods who have a blood alcohol level of 0.2 g/l or more or who, following an examination carried out under the terms of this Code and complementary legislation, are deemed to be under the influence of alcohol in a medical report.

4 - The conversion of breath alcohol content (BAC) values into blood alcohol content (BAC) is based on the principle that 1 mg of alcohol per liter of breath is equivalent to 2.3 g of alcohol per liter of blood.

5 - A driver is considered to be under the influence of psychotropic substances if, following an examination carried out in accordance with this Code and complementary legislation, they are deemed to be so in a medical or expert report.

6 - Anyone who infringes the provisions of paragraph 1 shall be punished with a fine of:

a) (euro) 250 to (euro) 1250, if the blood alcohol level is equal to or greater than 0.5 g/l and less than 0.8 g/l;

b) (euro) 500 to (euro) 2500, if the rate is equal to or greater than 0.8 g/l and less than 1.2 g/l or, if it is impossible to quantify the rate, the driver is considered to be influenced by alcohol in a medical report or if he is driving under the influence of psychotropic substances.

 

7 - The limits of 0.5 g/l and 0.8 g/l referred to in the previous paragraph are reduced to 0.2 g/l and 0.5 g/l, respectively, for drivers on probation, drivers of rescue or urgent service vehicles, collective transport of children and young people up to the age of 16, cabs, TVDEs, heavy passenger or goods vehicles or the transport of dangerous goods.