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