Bike, e-scooter or moped after drinking — what penalties a courier faces in 2026

What alcohol level triggers a penalty

Below 0.2‰ there is no penalty, but there is no way to “calculate” a safe amount of alcohol. How fast your body clears it depends on weight, food, sleep and health — the morning after a party you may still be over the limit.

• “After using alcohol” (stan po użyciu alkoholu): 0.2‰ to 0.5‰ in the blood, or 0.1 to 0.25 mg/dm³ in exhaled air.
• “Intoxicated” (stan nietrzeźwości): above 0.5‰ in the blood, or above 0.25 mg/dm³ in exhaled air.

Bicycle and e-bike

Cycling after alcohol is a petty offence under Article 87 of the Code of Petty Offences:

• After using alcohol (0.2–0.5‰): a 1,000 zł fine.
• Intoxicated (above 0.5‰): a 2,500 zł fine.
• If the case goes to court: a fine of up to 5,000 zł or detention, and a possible ban on riding bicycles and similar vehicles for 6 months to 3 years.

Can you lose your driving licence for cycling after alcohol?

No. For cycling, a court can only ban you from vehicles other than motor vehicles, so your car licence stays. An e-bike with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h, a motor of up to 250 W and no throttle is an ordinary bicycle in law.

Watch out for modified e-bikes

A bike with a throttle, a stronger motor or assistance above 25 km/h may be classed as a moped. You then need registration, third-party insurance (OC) and an AM or B licence, and riding it after alcohol may be judged as if you were on a moped — much more harshly.

Electric scooter after alcohol

In Polish law an electric scooter is a separate category of vehicle, but not a motor vehicle. The penalties are the same as on a bicycle: a 1,000 zł fine after using alcohol and 2,500 zł when intoxicated. You will not lose your car licence for it.

Moped, motorcycle and car

A 50 cc scooter is a moped, and courts treat it as a motor vehicle — just like a motorcycle or a car. The penalties here are much higher:

• After using alcohol (0.2–0.5‰): a petty offence, a court case, a fine of 2,500 to 30,000 zł or detention, and a mandatory ban on driving motor vehicles for 6 months to 3 years — cars included.
• Intoxicated (above 0.5‰): a crime under Article 178a of the Criminal Code — up to 3 years in prison, a driving ban of at least 3 years and a mandatory payment (świadczenie pieniężne) of at least 5,000 zł.
• At 1.5‰ or more the court as a rule orders the vehicle to be forfeited.

What the apps say

In its rules for drivers and delivery people, Uber reminds you that you may not drive or ride any vehicle, a bicycle included, under the influence of alcohol or other substances. The other apps require couriers to obey the law — so riding after drinking also breaks your agreement with the platform.

After a party: when to get back to deliveries

If you were drinking in the evening, do not plan a morning shift. If in doubt, test yourself with a breathalyser. Many police stations let you do this for free.

Good to know

• The law as of 20 October 2026: Code of Petty Offences (Art. 87), Criminal Code (Art. 178a) and the schedule of fines.
• This is information, not legal advice.

More posts