Small bottles of strong European beer, some almost as potent as half a bottle of wine, may land UK motorists in serious drink-driving trouble on the continent, warns the AA.

And combined with lower legal tolerance levels for alcohol in drivers' blood in many European countries, they could turn a late-night tipple into early morning trouble for British motorists who take to the road the next day.

As many European beers are served in small 25 or 33cl bottles with a 50 per cent higher alcoholic content than standard British beers, the possibility of normally disciplined drivers relaxing on holiday and letting their guard down is a real risk.

Some beers, the Belgian brews with an alcoholic content of 9 to 11 per cent approach the strength of wine. If served across a bar or by a waiter in a glass, a British motorist will have little or no warning.

To compound the problem, alcohol levels that would trip the amber light but not the prosecutable red light in a UK roadside breath test are sufficient to break the law in the majority of European countries.

The severity of the punishment differs across Europe with some countries taking a more precautionary stance by levying on-the-spot fines at 0.05 per cent. In Belgium, the police will fine motorists and impose a "sobering up" period before allowing them on their way. Other countries will throw the book at offending drivers if they reach the 0.05 per cent threshold.

For these countries, an alcohol content in the bloodstream of 0.05 per cent as opposed to 0.08 per cent (measured as 80mg alcohol/100ml of blood in the UK) required to bring about a prosecution in the UK, would be enough for police to take action against the driver.

Andrew Howard, head of road safety for the AA Motoring Trust said: "Those British motorists who think they can get away with a couple of drinks before getting in the car in the UK are taking an even greater risk when they carry on their usual drink-driving habits on the continent.

"Typical of the nightmare scenarios would be to have a couple of drinks on the ferry over to Europe, followed by a blood test after a minor bump with another can shortly after leaving the ship. Staying on the wagon is the wisest option, otherwise you could end up being ordered out of your car by a policeman."

Limits and punishments

Going on a European holiday? Make sure you know the law

Austria: The limit is 0.05 per cent alcohol in the bloodstream, Between 0.05 and 0.08 per cent, they face a fine and/or suspension of their licence

Belgium: Limit is 0.05 per cent. Between 0.05 and 0.08 per cent, drivers face an on-the-spot fine of up to 125 euros and confiscation of the licence for three hours. If the police decide to prosecute at that level te fine may rise to 2,500 euros. Above 0.08 per cent the on-the-spot fine rises to 10,000 euros with suspension of the licence for six hours. If the police prosecute, the maximum fine remains 10,000 euros, but a licence can be suspended for five years and the driver jailed for up to six months.

France: 0.05 per cent. Drivers who test positive face severe penalties including a fine, imprisonment and/or immediate confiscation of the driver's licence.

Germany: 0.05 per cent. Drivers caught at or above this limit face a driving ban.

Greece: 0.05 per cent. Between that and 0.08 per cent, the matter is a civil offence, over 0.08 means it becomes a criminal offence.

Ireland: 0.08 per cent. Failing a test results in a fine and/or imprisonment plus a driving ban.

Italy: 0.05 per cent. Failing a test brings severe penalties including fines and imprisonment.

Netherlands: 0.05 per cent. Breaking the law brings severe penalties, including withdrawal of the driving licence and imprisonment.

Norway: 0.02 per cent. Breaking the limit leads to severe penalties, including heavy fines and/or prison and loss of the driving licence.

Portugal: If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is between 0.05 per cent and 0.08 per cent, fine and withdrawal of driving licence for a minimum of one month to a maximum of one year; more than 0.08 per cent leads to a fine and a withdrawal of the licence for a minimum of two months and a maximum of two years.

Spain: 0.05 per cent. Drivers caught will suffer heavy fines and confiscation of their licences.

Switzerland: 0.08 per cent. Severe penalties for breaking the law include a fine or prison. Visiting motorists may be forbidden from driving in Switzerland for a minimum of two months.