How Many Points For Drink Driving?
If you are caught drink driving, you will be banned from driving for at least 12 months. This punishment is not the same as other motor offences such as speeding. In cases of speeding, you may only be fined and receive penalty points on your licence. If you have been convicted of Drink Driving previously in the timeframe of 10 years your disqualification could exceed 12 months .
So the short answer is no you will not receive any penalty points but will receive a minimum 12 month disqualification and could face a disqualification based on the severity of your offence.
What Penalties can i face for Drink Driving
The penalty you face will be entirely dependent on the nature of the offence. Factors influencing your penalty are detailed in the sentencing guideline issued to the magistrates . If you have any previous convictions or a high breathalyser reading the magistrates will be more likely to issue a harsher penalty. Penalties you could face for Drink Driving could be :
Suspension of ones licence
A fine
Penalty points
A criminal record
Increased insurance premiums
Potential imprisonment in serious offences
In the UK, the penalties for drink driving are harsher compared to other countries . To improve your chances of success and reduce the penalties, it is important to hire a specialist drink driving lawyer. Our team of expert solicitors have been dealing with Drink Driving cases for over 2 decades and have faced every situation possible . If you would like a free initial consultation in regards to your case contact us now .
What happens if you are caught Drink Driving ( Police Procedure)
1. Initial stop
You may be driving back from a night with friends when you see blue lights flickering in your back mirror as the police indicate to stop you should comply with the instructions as failure to do so may lead to further offences and increased seriousness of the offence .
2. Assessment of impairment
At this point the officer will approach your car and conduct some preliminary assessments to see if there is any indication of impairment. They may observe your behaviour , speech , and look for any signs of alcohol usage.
3. Preliminary breath test
If the officer/officers have reason to believe that you were impaired at the time of driving they will conduct a roadside breath test . If the breathalyser shows that you were above the prescribed alcohol limit you will be taken back to the police station to undergo the evidential breath test . Important to note that the preliminary breath test is not admissible in court as evidence and is only used by the police as a tool to determine reasonable suspicion of alcohol usage.
3. Arrest
At this point you will be arrested as the officer has reasonable suspicion that you were driving above the legal limit you will then be taken to the police station in order so the evidential breath test can be conducted .
4. At The Police Station
Once you arrive at the police station you will be asked to undergo a more accurate breathalyser machine and be asked to provide two evidential samples of breath or provide a sample of blood or urine.
Before commencing the evidential breath test the police officer will ask you the following questions:
Have you in the last twenty minutes
consumed any alcohol?
used any mouth spray?
used any mouth wash?
used any medication?
eaten anything?
inhaled anything?
taken anything?
brought anything up from your stomach?
If the answer to any of these questions is a yes then another 20 minutes must pass before conducting the evidential breathalyser. Now the officer will ask you to provide two specimens of breath for analysing and warn you that failure to do so will result in the offence of failure to provide. If there are medical or extenuating reasons why you could not provide a reading contact us now and we can put forward a medical reasons defence on your behalf . If you were not warned that failure to do so would result in an offence of failure to provide it is imminent to contact a specialist immediately as you have not been provided with a statutory warning and could be acquitted of any charges against you .
5. Interview
After the breath test has been conducted you will be interviewed by the officers asking about your drinking habits and other relevant information to your offence . During an interview, it is crucial to have a specialist solicitor present. This is to prevent any statements that could potentially make you appear guilty.
Notice of intended prosecution
If you are charged with Drink Driving or failure to provide you will receive a notice of intended prosecution within 2 weeks informing you of your offence and the penalties you could face you will be also provided with a court date .
Appearing before a magistrates
Having a well crafted defence is crucial when keeping your licence before a magistrates during your appearance at the magistrates one of our specialist solicitors will provide an exemplary defence on your behalf to mitigate any penalties and help you keep in the fight to keep your driving licence .
How we help you keep your licence
We recognise how important your driving licence is to you and will safeguard your driving privileges diligently from the moment we receive your case files we meticulously craft a legal defence on your behalf . Leaving no stone unturned we will challenge everything from the procedure to the scientific testing methods used by the laboratories to find a defence best suited to mitigate any penalties . Read up more on our defences and how we've helped thousands of motorists to keep their licences here.
"I was charged with Drink Driving, and the case looked hopeless, Abdul reassured me, and the CPS offered no Evidence. Abdul is certainly an Expert in Drink Driving and his handling of the case was outstanding"
"I was charged with drink driving and my case looked hopeless. There was witness evidence and forensic evidence. From my first meeting with Abdul he reassured me that we could win the case. Abdul was fantastic and the end result is that I am a happy man as I have kept my driving licence and my job."
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"After an extremely stressful 4 months I am delighted with the outcome . Abdul represented me through-out and was always there to support me when the panic took over and delivered what was discussed at our very first meeting. I cannot thank Abdul enough for all his hard work and helping me keep my driving licence. , I wouldn’t hesitate recommending them to friends and family. Many Thanks."
"I am grateful to Abdul and team. I have avoided conviction for failure to provide despite what seemed to be overwhelming case against me. I am absolutely delighted as my driving licence was everything and I stood on the verge of losing everything. Keep up the good work ."