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Alcohol and drugs test — Permit B (Spain)

10 exam-style questions to revise this topic before the DGT exam.

Alcohol and drugs is one of the DGT theory test sections where confusion is costly: legal limits depend on the driver type (novice, general, professional), penalties combine fine, point loss and a possible criminal offence, and the effects of consumption on driving are exam material as much as the actual numbers. A novice driver (less than two years' licence) faces a much lower maximum breath-alcohol concentration than a general driver, and certain professions — public transport, school transport, dangerous goods — are subject to practically zero tolerance. For drugs, Spanish regulation is zero tolerance: any detectable presence in saliva during a roadside check is an infraction, regardless of the substance. The exam also asks about physiological effects (alcohol as a depressant, drugs as stimulants, slower reaction time, distorted speed and distance perception), driver obligations at a check, and the administrative and criminal consequences of refusing the test. This quick test gathers ten representative questions from our exam-style question bank, aligned with the official 2026 DGT syllabus, covering limits, checks, effects and penalties. Every answer comes with a clear explanation, citing the relevant article of the General Traffic Regulation or the Road Safety Act where applicable.

Question 1 of 10Permit B

Su vehículo cuenta con airbag. ¿Es necesario ponerse el cinturón de seguridad?

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Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum breath-alcohol limit in Spain?

For general drivers, 0.25 mg/l in breath (equivalent to 0.5 g/l in blood). For novice drivers (under 2 years) and professionals, 0.15 mg/l (equivalent to 0.3 g/l). Blood limits: general 0.5 g/l, novice/professional 0.3 g/l.

What happens if I refuse a breath test?

Refusing breath-alcohol or drug detection tests is a criminal offence under article 383 of the Spanish Penal Code: 6 months to 1 year prison, licence withdrawal between 1 and 4 years, and fine. It applies regardless of whether there was specific suspicion of consumption.

How much alcohol does the body eliminate per hour?

The liver eliminates roughly 0.1 g/l per hour, and this cannot be meaningfully accelerated by coffee, water, food, exercise or cold showers. The only reliable way to bring the level down is time. That's why 'just one drink' before driving often turns into an infraction by the end of dinner.

Are drugs detected the same way as alcohol?

No. Alcohol is measured with a breathalyser or blood test, both with numeric reference limits. Drugs are detected by saliva test that returns positive or negative, with no minimum threshold: any detection is an infraction. Confirmed by a follow-up lab test, the administrative and criminal consequences match those of alcohol over the limit.