Filenews 6 February 2026 - by Michalis Chatzivasilis
The Road Safety Council today gave the green light to revoke the driver's license on the spot for drivers who test positive for breathalyzer and drug tests.
At a meeting of the Council, the issue and the dangers arising from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or both were discussed many times and it was decided to give the power to police officers to withdraw the driver's license from drivers.
This was made possible after legislation passed last December by the Parliament, which allows members of the Police to temporarily withdraw the driver's license from drivers who are behind the wheel either drunk or under the influence of drugs.
As decided today, according to information from Filenews, the Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeadis will transfer the power he has to the Chief of Police with a letter that will be sent immediately, so that members of the Force have the right to suspend the driver's license for drivers who are found positive in a breathalyzer and drug test.
As explained to us, a member of the Traffic Police will be able to hand over a letter suspending his driving license during the check he conducts on drivers, when he detects someone positive for drugs or a breathalyzer test. The offending driver will be arrested and taken to the nearest police station as is the case today and there he will be served with the notice of suspension of his license. In the case of a drug-positive driver, the suspension will apply until he presents a certificate from a doctor that he is clean of drugs. In the case of a drunk driver (depending on the percentage of exceeding the limit currently in force) the revocation of the license will last, depending on the case, either until his trial, or for one or two months.
The Department of Road Transport will be immediately informed about the revocation of licenses so that the relevant registration can be made in its electronic systems, so that if someone who was deprived of their license, is detected driving, they will suffer the consequences.
