Penalties for Driving under the influence of Drink or Drugs


Alcohol and Drugs tends to make you feel over confident and more likely to take risks when driving. The implications of a drink or drug drive conviction can be far-reaching.

The chart shows the maximum penalty for each offence stated in the Road Traffic Act 1988. It is impossible to say exactly what a Court may impose in a particular case but individual advice may be able to give some general indication of the possible sentence.

Penalty Table

General nature of offence

Max prison/fine

Disqualify

 Endorse 

  Licence  

Penalty

points

Causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving when under the influence of drink or drugs

Fourteen years or unlimited fine or both

Obligatory

Obligatory

3-11

Driving or attempting to drive when unfit to drive through drink or drugs

Six months or £5,000 or both. 3yrs if convicted twice within 10 years

Obligatory

Obligatory

3-11

Being in charge when unfit to drive through drink or drugs

Three months or £2,500 or both

 Discretionary

Obligatory

10

Driving or attempting to drive with excess alcohol in breath/blood/urine

Six months or £5,000 or both. 3yrs if convicted twice within 10 years

Obligatory

Obligatory

3-11

Being in charge with excess alcohol in breath/blood/urine

Three months or £2,500 or both

 

 Discretionary  

 

 

 Obligatory  

 

10

Failing to provide a specimen of breath for a breath test

£1000

 

 Discretionary

 

 Obligatory

4

 

Failing to provide a specimen for analysis or laboratory test

(a) when driving or attempting to drive: six moths or £5,000 or both

Obligatory

 

Obligatory

 

3-11

 

(b) In any other case: three months or £2,500 or both

 

 

 Discretionary

 

 Obligatory

10

Drink and Drug Driving - Tips and advice article No 44 RoadDriver 2010

For more information and a printable version to pass on to friends and family, click the link below.

Download PDF (30.83 Kb)