Driver's license suspended alcohol

If a driver of a motorized vehicle drives under the influence of alcohol, their license may be suspended. In this article the suspension of driver’s licenses after driving under the influence will be discussed.

During an alcohol check on the streets a driver has to use a Breathalyzer test. This is also called a preliminary breath analysis. The device has three possible results, namely: P, A and F. If the result is A or F the driver is arrested. They are then taken to a police station.

At the station the driver’s breath is tested again. This is the breath analysis. The driver is compelled to co-operate on the grounds of article 163 lid 2 Wegenverkeerswet (Dutch Traffic Act). If they refuse to co-operate that qualifies as a criminal act on its own. On the grounds of that criminal act their license may also be suspended.

After the driver co-operates with the breath analysis, he is made aware of the result. If the breath alcohol level is above 570 ug/l or the blood alcohol level is above 1,3, their license will be suspended. If the driver is inexperienced, their license is revoked at a breath alcohol level of 570 ug/l or a blood alcohol level of 0,8.

The police will then impose a driving prohibition. This prohibition will be imposed for the time the police can reasonably assume the driver will be under the influence of alcohol. The maximum prohibition is 24 hours on the grounds of article 162 lid 2 Wegenverkeerswet. The police are required to put this on paper and give it to the driver.

The driving prohibition is of a short duration while a suspended license is of a longer duration. What can happen with a suspended license, is explained on this website in the article ‘reissuing driver’s license after suspension’.