Drink driving penalties
Drink Driving Penalties. If you are found guilty of drink-driving, you may face imprisonment, a driving ban, and a fine.
The specific penalty imposed will be determined by the magistrates presiding over your case and will vary based on the nature of your offence.
If you are banned from driving for 12 months or longer, you might have the opportunity to reduce your ban by enrolling in a drink-drive rehabilitation scheme (DDRS), subject to the court’s discretion.
Being in charge of a vehicle while exceeding the legal limit or being unfit due to alcohol
You may face:
- 3 months’ imprisonment
- a fine of up to £2,500
- a potential driving ban
- Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit due to alcohol
You may face:
- 6 months’ imprisonment
- an unlimited fine
- a driving ban for a minimum of 1 year (3 years if convicted twice within 10 years)
Refusing to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample for analysis
You may face:
- 6 months’ imprisonment
- an unlimited fine
- a driving ban for a minimum of 1 year (3 years if convicted twice within 10 years)
Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol
You may face:
- life imprisonment
- an unlimited fine
- a driving ban for a minimum of 5 years
- an extended driving test before your licence is reinstated
If you are classified as a high-risk offender, you will not automatically regain your licence.
Costs associated with regaining your licence when permitted
If your driving licence has been revoked due to drink-driving, you can inquire about the fees required to restore your licence.
Additional challenges you may encounter
A drink-driving conviction also implies:
- a significant increase in your car insurance premiums
- if you drive for employment, your employer will be aware of your conviction on your licence
- potential difficulties in traveling to countries such as the USA
Info on this page was correct in 2025 and from the Gov.uk website. For help and advice call 07811 606 606.