Drug Driving Blood Test: How Long Can Results Take?

Drug Driving Blood Test: How Long Can Results Take?

The implications of drug driving are very severe; depending on the substance and quantity, a driver prosecuted for drug driving could face an unlimited fine, a disqualification and even prison time. Waiting for the results of a blood test for illegal substances can be a nerve-wracking time, and it is common for those waiting to wonder how long it will take for them to find out. As such, the police typically take between three and five months to do so.

In the following guide, the motoring offence experts at JMW have broken down and explained the process of getting a blood test following a drug driving incident, and what you can expect from the results.

What Happens After You Are Pulled Over?

If the police pull you over, the police officer must explain why they have done so and what their intentions are. If they suspect that you may be driving while over the limit of legal or illegal drugs, they will ask that you take a field impairment test (FIT) or a saliva test. If you fail this, you will be taken to the police station, which is where a urine or blood sample will be taken from you. If the officer does not explain their intentions, this may be grounds for a dispute.

Once your drug test has been taken, your sample will be sent for analysis and you will possibly be let go, provided you are not being prosecuted for any other crime. You will be required to return to the station at a later date which the police will not always specify straight away. The process could take more than a month to be properly analysed and processed so you will be expected to wait for the results.

What Might I Be Charged With for a Failed Drug Test?

Your penalty will be more severe depending on:

• The drugs you tested positive for
• The amount of the substance you had in your system
• Whether you caused harm due to drug driving

It is possible to be over the legal limit for prescription drugs as well as illegal drugs. You can find a breakdown of these illegal and prescribed limits on our drug driving advice page.

If the police can prove that, as well as being under the influence of drugs, you were hindered by the prescribed substance and rendered unfit to drive, you could be disqualified from driving for over 12 months, receive an unlimited fine, sentenced to spend time in prison, given a community order and required to take an extended retest in certain circumstances.

What Can I Do While I Wait for My Drug Test Results?

Depending on your situation, it may be best for you to either wait and accept your charges or challenge them. Challenging motoring offences can be a long and complex process, and you should not do it without the help of a professional motoring offences solicitor.

After contacting the team at JMW, we will be able to assess your situation and recommend the best course of action. It may be the case that disputing your charges may not be possible, and failure could lead to higher penalties - if we think this may be likely, we will advise you. However, there are various angles that we can take to mount a defence for those accused of drug driving, such as by analysing how they tested you, which can often be a point of confusion for officers.

It is also possible that, if you are being charged for a drug driving offence involving prescription drugs, you were not aware of the prescribed limit. We will investigate your prescription and how this may have led to an accident. Similarly, we may be able to assess whether a drug addiction led to the issue at hand, and why.

By successfully disputing your charges, we may be able to have them reduced or removed completely, which will be crucial for keeping you on the roads.

Get in Touch With a Solicitor Today

Do not waste any time - the sooner you speak to us, the sooner we can start to help you. Speak to our expert team today by calling 0345 872 6666. Alternatively, fill out an online contact form for a callback.