Alcohol, drugs, medicines, fatigue and fitness to drive
What the exam tests
This domain tests whether you can judge your own fitness to drive. It covers legal alcohol limits, drugs, prescription medicines, fatigue and medical conditions, and the penalties for driving impaired.
Core rules
- The general blood alcohol limit in Greece is 0.50 g/L. For novice drivers in their first two years and for professional drivers, the limit is 0.20 g/L. Driving under the influence of illegal drugs is prohibited, and there is zero tolerance for drug driving.
- Alcohol slows reactions, narrows attention, impairs judgment and increases confidence. Coffee, cold air or a shower do not speed up elimination; only time does. A hangover can still impair driving even when BAC has fallen.
- Read medicine labels and ask a pharmacist whether the medicine affects driving. Antihistamines, strong painkillers, sedatives and some antidepressants can cause drowsiness. Do not drive if you feel drowsy or your doctor advises against it.
- Fatigue is a serious impairment. Take a break at least every two hours, ideally 15 minutes, and stop earlier if you yawn repeatedly, lose concentration or have difficulty keeping your lane. Do not rely on open windows or loud music.
- You must meet the medical fitness requirements for your licence. Certain conditions, such as uncontrolled epilepsy or severe visual impairment, must be assessed by the licensing authority.
Worked example
A novice driver drinks one beer at lunch and later measures 0.30 g/L. The general limit is 0.50 g/L, so the driver might assume they are legal. But as a novice in the first two years, the applicable limit is 0.20 g/L. The driver is therefore over the limit and must not drive. The reasoning is that the stricter limit applies to the driver’s status, not to the general population.
Traps
Do not treat 0.50 g/L as a safe target; any alcohol can impair driving. Do not assume that a small amount wears off after coffee. Do not ignore a medicine’s warning because you have taken it before. Do not drive when tired “just for a short distance”. Do not hide a medical condition that affects driving.