Any motorist convicted or pleading guilty to this offence will be banned for at least 12 months. The exact length of the ban will be determined by the breath/blood/urine - alcohol reading (see below)

The court will also impose a fine a community penalty or a custodial sentence. The maximum sentence is a fine of £5,000 or six month in prison.

You could receive the following penalties:

Breath Blood Urine Disqualification Sentence
36-59 81-137 108-183 12-16 months Fine: 150% of weekly take home pay
60-89 138-206 184-274 17-22 months Fine: 150% of weekly take home pay
90-119 207-275 275-366 23-28 months Medium level community penalty
120-150 276-345+ 367-459 29-36 months High community penalty - 28 weeks custody

 

The legal breath alcohol limit is 35mg alcohol/100ml breath.

If your breath alcohol reading is more than 2.5 times the legal limit you will be classified as a 'high risk offender' and will need to pass a medical examiniation before your driving licence is returned to you at the end of the period of disqualification.

You will not have to re-take your driving test.

Click on the link for further information on drink driving offences.

For more information please contact Tim Williamson, a solicitor in Blake Lapthorn solicitors' Motoring Offences team in Oxford on 01865 253286 or tim.williamson@bllaw.co.uk.