Cycling drunk = losing your driving licence?

You've "had a drink" and...

you get on the road on a bicycle...
you drive a vehicle...
you get on a mount on a public road?

Watch out, because you risk not only a fine, but also, potentially (depending on the police court's decision), having your driving licence withdrawn!

Riding or walking while drunk

It's not uncommon for a cyclist who is drunk (even mildly) to be stopped by the police and given both a fine AND a temporary driving licence suspension.

And that's not all, because case law shows that similar penalties can be imposed on a pedestrian who is so drunk on a public road that they could pose a danger to public order or to other road users.

Losing your licence, even without driving a car

The reason for the licence withdrawal is a preventive measure, justified by the fact that someone who is drunk could get behind the wheel of a car (or a vehicle requiring a driving licence) while still under the influence of alcohol. They would then pose a danger to themselves and to other road users.

What the law says

Article 34 of Chapter V of the Highway Code states that…

§ 1. Anyone who, in a public place, drives a vehicle or a mount, or accompanies a learner driver, while a breath test measures an alcohol concentration per litre of exhaled alveolar air of at least 0.22 milligrams and less than 0.35 milligrams, or a blood test reveals a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.5 grams and less than 0.8 grams per litre, is liable to a fine of 25 to 500 euros.
…

Article 35:
"Anyone who, in a public place, drives a vehicle or a mount, or accompanies a learner driver, while in a state of drunkenness or a similar state resulting in particular from the use of drugs or medication, is liable to a fine of 200 to 2,000 euros and to disqualification from driving a motor vehicle for a period of at least one month and up to five years, or permanently."

Drink or pedal... you have to choose

So, if you're drunk and want to ride your bike home after a well-lubricated little party, it's better to give up on that idea and find someone (who hasn't been drinking) to go with you…

Also read: Alcohol, breathalysers and calculating your blood alcohol level

First published: 12/2015 - Updated: 12/2020