Comparing the Drinking Age and Alcohol Laws between Germany and the United States

A stereotype about Germany is that it is Oktoberfest all year long, and that most Germans drink more beer and wine than water. While it is true that Germans drink their fair share of beer (3rd most per person in the world vs the US checking in at number 14), the attitude of beer drinking in Germany contrasts drastically to that of the United States.

Germany, a country the size of the US State of Montana with a population of about 88 million people, has very relaxed laws associated with alcohol consumption. One would think that with all the beer and wine consumption, most areas of Germany would look like a US college fraternity party on a Friday night. However, Germany is not over-run with drunks causing problems, and drunk driving seems to be rare.

Obviously, this does not mean that there is no alcohol abuse or drunk driving in Germany. You will find your fair number of those that have had a bit much to drink. The regulations in Germany seem to be designed NOT to keep people from alcohol, but rather seem to foster an appropriate approach to alcohol consumption.

So, why the stark difference between alcohol consumption and its ill effects between the US and Germany? Let’s take a look at some of the legal differences between both countries…

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What is the drinking age in both countries?

In the US, in general, no one under 21 can buy alcohol. Note that individual States have varying regulations on minimum drinking (consumption) ages.

In Germany, there are 3 drinking ages:

• 13 – minors are allowed to consume beer or wine with their parents or legal guardian
• 16 – minors are allowed to consume beer or wine without their parents or legal guardian
• 18 – adults are allowed to consume distilled alcohol

NOTE: <18 no one can buy alcohol

What is the legal limit in order to drive in both countries?

In the US, driving with blood alcohol levels at or above 0.08 is illegal for everyone with some States having a lesser offense if the level is 0.05. In all States, if you are under the age of 21, there is a zero tolerance for any reported blood alcohol level while driving. Also, the limit is 0.04 for professional drivers (i.e., bus, taxi, etc.).

In Germany, there is a zero tolerance for any new driver having a license less than 2 years, regardless of age. And, the zero tolerance applies for anyone under 21 and professional drivers.

Also in Germany, the limit is 0.03 if involved in a traffic violation or accident and 0.05 if just stopped normally. On the bright side, the limit is 0.16 for a bicycle rider!

What are the penalties associated with driving while intoxicated in both countries?

In the US, each State sets their own penalities based on the level of blood alcohol, if an accident was involved, if it is a repeat offense, and the level of reckless driving at the time of being stopped. In most States, your driver’s license is automatically suspended for 30 days, and if convicted then for 1 year (if it is the 2nd conviction then up to 4 years, and the 3rd it is taken away permanently). Also, based on the level of offense, a driver would face fines from $200 to $4000+, and jail time from 1 day to 2 years (just for the crime of drunk driving).

In Germany, the fines and jail time are a little less than in the US, but the blood alcohol limit is much lower in Germany. And, one must realize that a driver’s license in Germany costs about $1200 to obtain! If caught exceeding the blood alcohol limit, the minimum fine is 500 Euros (about $600) for the offense + a license suspension for 1 month.

If the blood alcohol level was above 0.11, the fine is the same but the license is suspended for 1 year. If the level is above 0.16, additionally to get your license back, you must pass a pyschological exam to prove your mental capability. The fines are doubled, tripled, etc. if it is the 2nd, 3rd, etc. offense.

And, there is no jail time just for getting caught driving while drunk.

What are the social differences of alcohol in both countries?

In both countries, the drinking of alcohol is usually associated with social and festive reasons.

In the US, with the drinking age set at 21, it is my opinion that this entices teenagers and those under 21 to “want” to drink because it is illegal. With binge drinking that occurs on college campuses, I have always felt that lowering the drinking age to 18 would help to disassociate the “party” atmosphere of alcohol in college, because one can legally drink.

Also, in some of the counties of some States, it is illegal to buy any alcohol regardless or age or time of day. Another way to think about it…put someone in a room with a table…on the table is a button, and you tell that person, “I am going to leave the room for 5 minutes, but whatever you do, do not press the button”. What will that person think about for that 5 minutes alone in the room — pressing the button.

Finally, in most areas of the US, there can be no consumption of alcohol outside of the bar or restaurant in which the beverage is served. The exceptions would be inside sporting arenas or outside dining areas of a restaraunt.

In Germany, with the 3-tiered drinking age, this seems to allow people to have the appropriate approach to consuming alcohol because it is not such a taboo and off-limit thing to do. Also, with the high costs associated with obtaining a license and driving a car, coupled with the abundance of public transportation, alcohol-related accidents appear to be lower in Germany than the US.

Additionally, drinking in public is allowed as long as you are of the appropriate age. For example, it is not uncommon on a Friday night seeing people drinking beer or drinking direct from a wine bottle while riding on the Strassebahn (street tram).

Now, of course, even though there are differences in alcohol laws and the views of alcohol between both countries, whether or not someone drinks alcohol is a personal decision of if they like it or not. And, in both countries, you will find people who have problems with alcohol.

But, maybe, just maybe the main reason that beer and wine are consumed more in Germany than in the United States is because it just tastes so damn great here in Germany in comparison to most other places in the world.

So, what are some of the alcohol laws you have seen in other countries? What is the drinking age where you live? We would love to know in the comments below…