Breathalyser calibration in 2026: price, frequency and duration

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

Personal breathalyser calibration most often costs PLN 67 at service centres (typically PLN 63 ‑ 72), regardless of the city, as the breathalyser is usually sent to the service centre. Manufacturers recommend calibration every 12 months or after a specified number of tests, while the service itself usually takes between one and several working days.

A personal breathalyser is a measuring instrument, not a gadget that always works in exactly the same way. Its sensor ages with every test and over time, so after a year the same breathalyser may show a different result than it did on the day of purchase. Calibration restores its accuracy against a reference standard. Below, we have compiled prices from service centre price lists, typical turnaround times and practical advice on sending in your breathalyser without wasting time.

How much does breathalyser calibration cost in 2026?

According to 4 service centre price lists collected by indekscen.pl, personal breathalyser calibration most often costs PLN 67, with a typical range of PLN 63 ‑ 72. The cheapest offer in our data is PLN 55, while the most expensive is PLN 80. Some service centres charge the same price for all personal breathalysers, while others price calibration separately for each model.

The variation in prices is small because the service follows a standard procedure: the service centre exposes the sensor to a reference sample with a known concentration, compares the reading and adjusts the device. You can find more details and verbatim quotations from price lists on the breathalyser calibration page.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

Here is how much calibration costs in different scenarios when regular servicing is taken into account:

Situation	Calibration cost	Notes
Cheapest service centre, one breathalyser	PLN 55	usually specific popular models
Typical service centre, one breathalyser	PLN 63 ‑ 72	half of the price lists fall within this range
Most expensive price list	PLN 80	often a single price regardless of the model
Annual calibration for 3 years	about PLN 200	excluding postage
Annual calibration for 5 years	about PLN 340	typical lifespan of a good sensor

What does breathalyser calibration do?

Calibrating a breathalyser ensures that its reading once again corresponds to the actual concentration of alcohol in exhaled air. An electrochemical sensor loses sensitivity over time, so an uncalibrated breathalyser will most often give a reading that is too low. This is the worst possible error because it creates a false sense that it is safe to drive.

It is worth remembering one thing: even when freshly calibrated, a personal breathalyser only gives an indicative result. It is not an evidential instrument, and the result is affected by the time since your last drink, how you blow into it and the temperature. If the reading is close to zero, it is safer to wait and test again or avoid driving altogether.

How often should a breathalyser be calibrated?

Manufacturers usually recommend calibrating a personal breathalyser every 12 months or after a specified number of tests, whichever comes first. The test limit is stated in the instructions for the specific model, and some breathalysers display an on-screen reminder when calibration is due.

Earlier calibration is advisable when:

1. The breathalyser has been dropped or exposed to liquid. Impact and moisture can put the sensor out of adjustment.
2. The readings seem unusually low or inconsistent. Two tests taken a few minutes apart produce very different figures.
3. The device has been unused for a long time. An electrochemical sensor also ages while sitting in a drawer.
4. The breathalyser has been used very heavily, for example at parties or by multiple drivers in a company.

With annual calibration, the yearly cost of maintaining a breathalyser is simply the price of one service, usually PLN 63 ‑ 72.

How long does breathalyser calibration take?

The calibration itself is quick, usually requiring between a dozen and several dozen minutes of a technician’s time, but the entire process including shipping most often takes from a few days to two weeks. This includes delivery of the breathalyser, the service centre queue, calibration and return shipping. Queues may be longer during the summer holiday season and before public holidays.

If you need the breathalyser by a specific date, for example before a trip, ask the service centre about its turnaround time before sending it. Some service centres offer express calibration or an exchange for a calibrated unit, usually for an additional fee.

Where is the best place to have a breathalyser calibrated?

It is best to have a breathalyser calibrated by the manufacturer or an authorised distributor for that model, as they have original sensors and reference standards. Prices at these service centres usually fall within the range of PLN 63 ‑ 72. There are three common options:

• Send it directly to the service centre. This is the fastest option, and costs the calibration fee plus postage.
• Take it to the shop where you bought it. Large electronics retailers accept breathalysers for calibration and send them on, which increases the waiting time.
• Visit a physical service point in a large city. Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław have service points where you can leave your breathalyser in person without using a courier.

The calibration price therefore does not depend on whether you live in Warsaw, Łódź or Kielce. The differences come from the breathalyser model and any postage costs.

Can you calibrate a breathalyser yourself?

Calibrating a breathalyser yourself at home is practically impossible because it requires a reference sample with a precisely known alcohol concentration: either a calibration gas cylinder or a simulator containing a solution kept at a constant temperature. Without one, you can only alter the readings, not check them against a reference standard. Some breathalysers have a replaceable module with a factory-calibrated sensor, which you can change yourself instead of sending in the entire device.

Popular home methods, such as taking a test after drinking a specific amount of alcohol and comparing it with a blood alcohol calculator, do not constitute calibration. A calculator only provides an estimate, and the differences between people are too large to use it to adjust an instrument.

Calibration or a new breathalyser: which is better value?

Calibration is worthwhile for breathalysers with electrochemical sensors, which are more accurate and more expensive, while annual servicing usually costs PLN 67. The calculation is different for the cheapest breathalysers with semiconductor sensors: calibration may cost nearly as much as a new device, and the sensor itself loses accuracy more quickly.

When deciding, consider:

• the type of sensor (this information is in the instructions and on the manufacturer’s website),
• whether the manufacturer offers calibration for that model at all,
• the cost of several years of servicing: with annual calibration over five years, this is about PLN 340,
• whether you need a calibration certificate, for example for a company that tests employees for alcohol.

How can you avoid overpaying for breathalyser calibration?

• Check the price for your model. Some service centres have one rate for all models, while others charge different prices starting from PLN 55.
• Ask whether return postage is included. This is often the biggest difference between offers.
• Have several breathalysers calibrated at once. Companies with several devices can ask for a discount when sending them together.
• Do not wait until the sensor wears out. Once the breathalyser exceeds its test limit, the sensor may need replacing rather than calibrating, which is more expensive.
• Ask for confirmation of calibration with the date. This makes it easier to keep track of the next due date.

A breathalyser is particularly useful for drivers who spend a lot of time on the road. If you are just starting out, see how much it costs to obtain a licence in our article how much does a driving licence cost, and read about annual car expenses in how much does a vehicle inspection cost.

„Każdy alkomat osobisty kalibrujemy w cenie 80,00 zł/brutto bez względu na model.”

alkopatrol.pl, source

„AL5500, 69,00zł.”

spyshop.pl, source

„Usługa kalibracji alkomatu S4. 65,00 zł.”

alkomaty.net.pl, source

„Cena kalibracji alkomatu AL-9000 wynosi 55 zł.”

lucann.pl, source

You can find more device servicing prices in the equipment repair category.

The prices in this article come from public price lists published by breathalyser service centres and retailers. Each entry on the how much does breathalyser calibration cost page includes its source, date and a verbatim quotation.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to have a breathalyser calibrated?

Sama kalibracja alkomatu osobistego kosztuje zwykle PLN 63 ‑ 72. Jeśli wysyłasz alkomat kurierem, doliczasz koszt przesyłki w jedną albo w obie strony, zależnie od serwisu.

What does breathalyser calibration do?

Kalibracja ustawia czujnik alkomatu tak, żeby pokazywał wynik zgodny ze wzorcem o znanym stężeniu alkoholu. Bez niej czujnik z czasem zaniża albo zawyża odczyty, a kalibracja kosztuje zwykle tylko PLN 67.

Is breathalyser calibration cheaper in another city?

Cena kalibracji alkomatu praktycznie nie zależy od miasta, bo większość serwisów przyjmuje alkomaty wysyłkowo. W Warszawie, Krakowie i w Kielcach zapłacisz podobnie, zwykle PLN 63 ‑ 72, plus ewentualna przesyłka.

Can every breathalyser be calibrated?

Kalibrację przeprowadza się głównie w alkomatach z czujnikiem elektrochemicznym. Najprostsze alkomaty z czujnikiem półprzewodnikowym często nie mają serwisu kalibracji, a gdy mają, koszt PLN 67 bywa porównywalny z ceną nowego urządzenia.

How should you prepare a breathalyser for shipping for calibration?

Wyjmij baterie, dołącz ustniki i kartę gwarancyjną, a alkomat zapakuj w sztywne pudełko z wypełnieniem. Na kartce zapisz dane zwrotne i model urządzenia, bo od modelu zależy cena, zwykle w przedziale PLN 63 ‑ 72.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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