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Drug Driving Solicitors

In 2015, legal limits were introduced in respect of driving under the influence of seventeen prescription and illegal drugs. It is an offence to be over the set limit for any of these substances, and you can be prosecuted whether or not there is evidence that they have affected your driving.

If you are convicted of drug driving, you will receive:

  • a minimum 1 year driving ban
  • an unlimited fine
  • up to 6 months in prison
  • a criminal record

Your driving licence will also show that you have been convicted for drug driving. This will last for 11 years.

Because of the serious nature of the offence, it is strongly recommended that you seek expert legal representation as soon as you can. At Nelson Guest & Partners, we have successfully defended many clients charged with drug-related road traffic offences.

Contact Nelson Guest & Partners as early as possible for a free 10-minute consultation so we can discuss your options with you. We are experts in the field and have a long record of outstanding results.

The government website lists the following prescription drugs as those on which you should consult with your doctor regarding your ability to drive:

  • amphetamine, such as dexamphetamine or selegiline
  • clonazepam
  • diazepam
  • flunitrazepam
  • lorazepam
  • methadone
  • morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs such as codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
  • oxazepam
  • temazepam

And these illegal drugs have a low ‘accidental exposure’ threshold with a zero tolerance approach:

  • benzoylecgonine
  • cocaine
  • delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis)
  • ketamine
  • lysergic acid diethylamide
  • methylamphetamine
  • methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
  • 6-monoacetylmorphine (heroin)
  • amphetamine (speed), which can be used illegally and medicinally, completes the list.

As with other driving offences, it may be possible to appeal your sentence should you consider it unfair. Again, Nelson Guest & Partners are well placed to assist you with this process. Normally an appeal has to be lodged within 21 days of sentencing (although there are certain circumstances in which the court will allow appeals after this point).

Talk to our drug driving solicitors in London

If you have been charged with, or convicted of, a drug driving offence, our London drug driving lawyers can help.

For immediate advice and representation, call our experts now on 020 8309 5010 or use our contact form to request a call back.

How our team can help with a drug driving charge or conviction

Advice if you have been arrested for a drug driving offence

If you have been arrested for a drug driving offence, it advisable to contact a solicitor, if you have not already, to represent your interests during this stage.

If you ask us to deal with matters on your behalf, we will contact the police to see if they will be proceeding with the issue so that you are not left waiting indefinitely. We can also advise you as to the process being followed and what may happen next.

Representation for court proceedings

If a court case is filed against you, we are able to provide expert representation. Our team includes highly experienced advocates who are able to represent you directly on all levels, including at the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, Youth Court and appeal courts. Where necessary, we can also instruct specialist criminal defence barristers on your behalf.

Appealing a drug driving conviction

If you have been convicted of a drug driving offence and you believe you have been wrongly or unfairly convicted, contact us to discuss making an appeal. There is a short deadline of 21 days for lodging an appeal, so you need to act quickly.

Our team will advise you honestly about the strength of your case, and where possible, make a robust appeal. We have a reputation for succeeding in cases where other firms might not.

Our drug driving defence fees

We take on drug driving cases on a fixed fee basis, meaning that you will have certainty as to the costs involved from the start. The fixed fee will cover work at all stages of your case.

Fixed fees will give you a clear idea of costs and mean that you will not have to worry about unexpected costs arising.

For more information in respect of our fees and the work they cover, see our Road Traffic Offences fees page.

What is the penalty for drug driving?

If you are convicted of drug driving, you could receive a minimum 12-month driving ban, an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison. You will also have a criminal record.

If you cause someone’s death by dangerous driving while under the influence of drugs, the penalty is up to 14 years in prison.

A conviction can also harm your chances of getting a job or obtaining a visa to travel to some countries, such as the US. It will also increase your car insurance premiums.

Can you appeal a drug driving conviction?

If the correct procedure was not followed or the court made an error of law in convicting you, you may be able to appeal a drug driving conviction.

Is it illegal to drive while on prescription drugs?

It is illegal to drive if your ability is impaired by the prescription drugs you have taken.

It is also an offence to drive or be in control of a motor vehicle with the prescription drugs listed above in your body above a certain level.

You will have a defence if you were taking the drugs in accordance with the prescription your doctor gave you and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, or where they did not cause you to be unfit to drive.

How long does drug driving stay on your licence?

A conviction for drug driving will stay on your licence for 11 years.

Can you avoid a driving ban for drug driving?

The drug driving law is strict, meaning that you cannot avoid a driving ban for drug driving and, if convicted, you will receive a ban of at least 12 months. If you are convicted for a second time within three years, you will be banned for a minimum of three years.

Get in touch with our drug driving solicitors about a charge or conviction

If you have been charged with, or convicted of, a drug driving offence, our London drug driving lawyers can help.

For immediate advice and representation, call our experts now on 020 8309 5010 or use our contact form to request a call back.

For further information, see our road traffic offences resources page.