There are many factors that can change the outcome of your drink driving conviction. Some of the most common ones are below, although ultimately the severity of your punishment is determined by a magistrate’s court.
Drink driving penalties
Fines
There are a few different fines, depending on the circumstances of your drink driving. Some of these are:
• Being in charge of a vehicle while being above the limit, or being unfit to drive – £2,500 fine.
• Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit – an unlimited fine.
• Refusing to provide blood, urine or breath for analysis – an unlimited fine.
• Causing death when drink driving – an unlimited fine.
Imprisonment
Whether or not you receive a prison sentence depends on the seriousness of the offence.
• Being in charge of a vehicle while being above the limit, or being unfit to drive – 3 months imprisonment.
• Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit – 6 months imprisonment.
• Refusing to provide a specimen of blood etc. – 6 months imprisonment.
• Causing death when drink driving – up to 14 years imprisonment.
Driving Bans
A driving ban alongside a drink driving conviction is quite common as you are deemed unfit to drive. The length of your driving ban is determined by the following factors:
• Being in charge of a vehicle while being above the limit, or being unfit to drive – possible ban.
• Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit – driving ban of at least a year, it can be longer if you’ve been convicted twice in ten years.
• Refusing to provide a specimen of blood etc. – possible ban of at least 1 year.
• Causing death by drink driving – a ban from driving for 2 years.
If you have just finished a driving ban and are seeking drink drivers insurance then check out our drink drivers insurance page, and we can find a policy that suits your needs and get you back on the road.
