Belgium lowers drink-driving threshold for immediate licence withdrawal
Anyone in Belgium caught driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.8 per mille will now have their driving licence revoked immediately for 15 days. Justice minister Annelies Verlinden announced the measure in a press release on Saturday.
Under the previous rules, drivers were required to surrender their licence for 15 days from 1.15 per mille. Verlinden signed the measure this week. It takes effect immediately and applies nationwide.
In recent weeks, differing practices between provinces has sparked debate. Public prosecutors in Limburg, Antwerp and Flemish Brabant had already decided to revoke licences from 0.8 per mille, while East and West Flanders and Wallonia continued to apply the higher threshold. Verlinden's measure, which was introduced in consultation with the public prosecutor's office, puts an end to those discrepancies.
In practical terms, licences will now be withdrawn from 0.35 mg/l of alcohol in exhaled air, instead of the previous 0.50 mg/l typically applied. Verlinden said the change sent a clear signal that dangerous driving would no longer be tolerated. In the first six months of 2025, road deaths rose to 209, often during weeknights.
The minister also announced further steps to combat drug driving. Ketamine will soon be added to the list of illegal substances detectable through saliva tests. In addition, the temporary driving ban for all offences will be harmonised, ensuring that any driver caught under the influence is removed from the road for 12 hours.
© BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
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