Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Limit

BAC limit for drivers and riders is 0,00; change of this limit is not expected in future; the limit is given by the Law No. 361/2000 (The Law on Road Traffic), § 5 article 2 a).

BAC Testing Rules

Driver has to pass the breath test on the request of the Police of the Czech Republic and in case of positive result he/she has to pass the medical (blood or urine) test. Breath test is not taken as an evidence even sophisticated electronic breathalyser is used, in case of urine or blood test this test is taken as an evidence. Refusing one of the tests means the driver is taken as a person under influence of alcohol with all legal consequences. (Law No. 361/2000, § 5 article 1 f)); details are given by § 6 articles 2,3 and 5 of Law No. 37/1989 on Protection Against Alcoholism and Other Toxicomanias.

Penalties

Depending on situation; in case of offence or causing of traffic accident under influence withdrawal of the licence (ban to drive) up to one year, fine up to 10000,- CZK (app. 250,- USD; average salary is app. 12000,- CZK in the Czech Republic) (§ 30 article 1h) and 2 of Law No. 200/1990 on Offences) or by the administrative body or court in case of causing road accident with serious consequences imprisonment can be pronounced. Police of the Czech Republic has no right to withdraw a driving licence on the spot even in case of drink and drive offence (change comparing to previous legislation). This offence should be transferred to the administrative body (Regional Authority).

Rehabilitation and Re-granting of Licenses

There is no official rehabilitation programme for drivers committing drink and drive offences in the Czech Republic.

Enforcement of the Law

Police of the Czech Republic (not Municipal Police -“Městská policie”) has the right to test any driver any time for presence of alcohol on the spot. The Police should not have any suspicion toward the driver or rider - routine checks are executed especially during night time; no specially equipped cars (eg. in Victoria, Australia) are used. The equipment used by the Police are glass blow tubes or electronic computer breathalysers (DRAEGER). (Law No. 60/2001 on the Police).