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Investigation of the ability to drive

When a driver of a motorized vehicle has driven under influence of alcohol, the police notifies the CBR (the Dutch Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing). The CBR will then determine which measure it may impose, based on the Regulation measures driving ability and aptitude.

One of the measures the CBR may impose is the investigation of driving aptitude. In article 23 of the Regulation measures driving ability and aptitude it is stated when the CBR may impose this. The CBR may impose the investigation driving aptitude when:

  • A breath or blood alcohol content of at least 785ug/l, respectively 1,8 per mille, is confirmed with the driver;
  • A breath or blood alcohol content of at least 570ug/l, respectively 1,3 per mille, is confirmed with a beginning driver;
  • In a period of five years at least three reports of driving under the influence of alcohol have been made drawn up for the driver, of which in one instance a breath or blood alcohol content of more than 220 ug/l has been confirmed, respectively either 0,5 per mille, or 88 ug/l, respectively 0,2 per mille, when at least one of these acts was committed as a beginning driver, or when he has refused to cooperate with a breath analysis test at least once.
  • The driver does not qualify for an EMA-course.

The investigation of the driving aptitude is a psychiatric examination. This investigation is split up into three parts of investigation, i.e. a blood analysis, a physical examination and a psychiatric examination.

After this examination three diagnoses can be established, i.e. alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence in accordance with the DSM IV-criteria and the diagnosis of alcohol abuse in the broad sense.

Especially the diagnosis of alcohol abuse in the broad sense is often established quite quickly by the psychiatrists inspecting for the CBR. Besides an arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol not much is needed to establish this diagnosis. In practice 80% to 90% of the drivers is declared unfit for this investigation of the driving aptitude. Because of this the investigation of the driving aptitude should not be taken lightly.