Drunkenness
In Belgium you may be punished if you are drunk in public.
Traffic
If you have more than 0.5 mg of alcohol in your blood and drive (by car, moped or bicycle) you are liable to punishment. The police are always able to test whether you have drunk too much. If so, you receive a fine and you forbidden to drive for at least 3 hours.
If the test shows that you have more than 0.8 per mille in your blood, the punishment will be heavier. Your fine will be higher, you are not allowed to drive for a minimum of 6 hours and you may temporarily lose your driving license.
The law is stricter for professional drivers (drivers of lorries, buses, taxis, ambulances, etc.) They have to adhere to an alcohol limit of 0.2 per mille.
Young people
It is forbidden to serve, sell or offer alcohol to young people under the age of 16. Beer and wine are allowed from 16 years. Strong drinks such as whisky, rum, vodka, etc are only permitted as from the age of 18.
