Drink Driving Convictions List

Despite how common it is, drink driving is considered one of the most serious motoring offences. It may be easy for drivers to forget how much alcohol they have consumed, or they may think that they will be able to get away with a short trip. Unfortunately, this is simply not good enough in the eyes of the police and those attempting to drive while even slightly over the legal limit will be severely prosecuted.

It is important for drivers to understand the drink driving convictions that they may be liable for. The motoring offence experts at JMW have put together this guide to the various offences that you could be convicted for following a drunk driving incident and the penalties for them.

What are the Different Drink Driving Penalties?

Drink-driving offences and their convictions are divided depending on the severity of the incident and how intoxicated the driver was at the time. This is decided by the results of a breathalyser test done when the driver is pulled over, or by a urine or blood test conducted at the station or hospital.

The following list details the different convictions that may follow depending on the details of the incident and how the drunk driver responds to the process. It does not take into consideration the other factors that may affect a conviction, such as whether someone was injured by their actions - this will be a separate charge and will incur additional penalties.

Driving While Above the Legal Limit

If the driver fails their breath/blood-alcohol test and it is found that they are above the legal alcohol limit, they will be subject to an unlimited fine, a driving ban for a minimum of one year (if it’s the first offence), and a sentence of up to six months in prison. The severity of the fine and prison sentence will depend on how much harm the driver had the potential to cause due to their drink driving and how far over the limit they were.

If the driver already has another disqualification on their driving record within 10 years of the new one, they will face a minimum disqualification of three years.

Being In Charge of a Vehicle While Above the Legal Limit

Even if an intoxicated driver is not driving the vehicle, they have a responsibility to control who uses it and how. If they are allowing another person to drive a vehicle while they are above the limit, the person not driving may be charged with a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and a prison sentence of up to six weeks.

Refusing to Take a Drink Driving Test (Failing to Provide a Speciment)

If the driver accused of drink driving does not accept the test, they may receive an unlimited fine, a 12-month driving ban and up to six months imprisonment. This may be increased if they are also considered to have wasted police time by refusing to take a test when they are pulled over with the intention of taking one at the station, and then refusing this too.