Cyprus Parliament aims for zero alcohol level for novice drivers

The Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus has announced the preparation of a bill introducing a complete ban on alcohol consumption behind the wheel for beginner drivers. The initiative is aimed at reducing the number of fatal road accidents and improving road safety in the island nation. The proposal was introduced by DIKO party MP Chrysanthos Savvidis.

Currently, the permitted alcohol limit for drivers with less than three years of experience is 9 milligrams per liter of exhaled air. The new bill proposes to reduce this threshold to zero — meaning a complete ban on driving even after a small amount of alcohol.

This is part of a strict “zero tolerance” policy, already adopted in 11 European countries. Authorities cite medical data: even a single beer can exceed the legal alcohol level in the blood. For example, for a young person weighing about 70 kg, such a drink results in a concentration of around 15 milligrams, significantly above the current limit.

As for penalties, the bill provides for temporary revocation of driving licenses for anyone proven to have driven with any trace of alcohol. More detailed measures of responsibility have not yet been specified.

The bill will be submitted for a vote in the Cypriot Parliament by the end of September 2025.