If you've had one or two too many glasses of beer or wine in the evening, it's better to leave your car behind. We all know that this can be expensive and, above all, life-threatening. But how do you get home? For many, the e-scooter seems to be a suitable alternative. Hop on the scooter, press the gas, and several kilometers are covered comfortably and quickly. But: Can I ride an e-scooter while drunk? We clarify what the permissible blood alcohol limit is, what sanctions threaten, and what dangers lurk when riding an e-scooter while intoxicated.
Blood alcohol limit for riding an e-scooter
Although no driver's license is required to ride an e-scooter and riding is permitted from the age of 14, the same blood alcohol limits apply as for other motor vehicles. The belief that an extended blood alcohol limit applies to e-scooters, similar to bicycles, is therefore a misconception.
Specifically, this means: Relative unfitness to drive begins at 0.3 per mille. If additional signs of impairment due to alcohol occur, such as a high willingness to take risks in traffic, swerving, or slurred speech, you are considered unfit to drive and will be punished accordingly.
From a blood alcohol level of 0.5 per mille on an e-scooter, you commit a regulatory offense.
From a blood alcohol level of 1.1, you are considered absolutely unfit to drive. No further signs of impairment are required for criminal unfitness to drive.
Please note: During the probationary period after obtaining a driver's license, a blood alcohol limit of 0.0 applies, just like when driving a car!
What penalty threatens for drunk driving?
Should you be stopped by the police and caught with a corresponding blood alcohol level on your e-scooter, you must expect a fine according to the catalog of fines between 500 and 1,500 Euros. For violations of the 0% rule for novice drivers, an additional 2 years of probationary period extension and 250 Euros will be added.
Depending on the severity of the offense, endangering road traffic, previous convictions, and the measured blood alcohol level, 1 – 3 points in Flensburg, withdrawal of the driving license, fines based on daily rates, or a prison sentence of up to 1 year can be imposed.
Overview of possible sanctions:
>0.0 ‰ for novice drivers:
- 2 years probationary period extension
- Minimum 250 Euro fine
- 1 point in Flensburg
- Possibly mandatory participation in a remedial course
0.3 ‰ with endangering road traffic:
- 3 points in Flensburg
- Withdrawal of driving license
- Possibly order for a medical-psychological assessment (MPU)
- Fine or prison sentence
0.5 ‰:
- 500 – 1,500 Euro fine
- 2 points in Flensburg
- 1 – 3 months driving ban
1.1 ‰:
- Withdrawal of driving license
- Variable fine based on daily rates or prison sentence
Dangers in road traffic – better to drive sober
The possible penalties still don't deter you from riding your e-scooter while intoxicated? Please also consider your safety and that of other road users. Our Moovi e-scooters are approved for road traffic with a maximum speed of 20 km/h. If you cannot drive safely and concentratively, accidents with other road users are threatened, which can be life-threatening, especially for you as an unprotected scooter rider.
For a safe ride, we therefore advocate using the e-scooter only when sober and resorting to taxis and the like when intoxicated. The good thing about the Moovi: you can easily and spontaneously fold the scooter into any trunk and any tram.
You can find more information here: https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/e-scooter-promille/