Drug driving
Drug driving
Our specialist Drug Driving Solicitors are experts in defending clients facing criminal charges for driving whilst under the influence of controlled or prescription drugs. Based in Leeds, Sheffield and York we regularly represent clients throughout the UK who are facing drug driving allegations.
Drug driving defence lawyers
It is illegal to drive while under the influence of certain drugs that may impair your ability to drive competently. Being caught drug driving can have a huge effect on your life with consequences such as a driving ban preventing you from being able to work. It is vital you seek legal advice should you be accused of a drug driving offence.
Our driving offence solicitors have helped many drivers who have been accused of such offences to build a case to defend an allegation or to fight for the best outcome possible.
If you have been accused of driving under the influence of drugs, do not delay in contacting our dedicated team today or fill in the enquiry form and we will get back to you promptly. For immediate assistance, please call us on our 24/7 mobile number on 07971 520407
For more information on our fees, please click here to view our up-to-date schedule of costs.
What is drug driving?
Drug driving is being caught driving or attempting to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, including illegal, legal or prescribed. It is illegal to drive if either you are unfit to do so due to being under the influence of illegal or legal drugs, or if you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood even if they haven’t affected your driving.
The police can stop you and carry out an impairment test at the roadside to assess whether your driving ability has been hindered by taking drugs and they will then take a blood test as soon as they can. A roadside drug kit can now be used by the police to screen for cannabis and cocaine.
There are also specific limits set for a number of drugs, both legal and prescribed. You will be committing an offence if you are found to be over the prescribed limit for these drugs even if you believe that your driving was not impaired. A table of these limits can be found here.
Prescribed drugs and medicine from a doctor or similar medical professional can also hinder your driving performance. While it is always best to check whether you are able to drive while on prescription medication, there are legal limits in place for certain substances. These are measured per litre of blood and include:
- Benzoylecgonine – 50 µg/L
- Clonazepam – 50 µg/L
- Diazepam – 550 µg/L
- Lorazepam – 100 µg/L
- Methadone – 500 µg/L
- Morphine – 80 µg/L
- Oxazepam – 300 µg/L
- Temazepam – 1000 µg/L
Should you be driving while taking prescribed medication, ensure you keep any proof that it is your medicine to show to police if you are stopped.
The penalties
Like drink driving, the penalties for driving under the influence of drugs can have far-reaching effects. Penalties include:
- Disqualification from driving for a minimum of 12 months
- Prison sentence of up to six months
- An unlimited fine
In turn, the consequences of this often include:
- Job loss
- Loss of independence
- Shame of having a criminal conviction
- Trouble of getting into countries like the USA
- Massive increase in car insurance costs, and some companies won’t insure you
Our services
If you have been stopped for driving under the influence of drugs, our solicitors can provide advice and representation throughout the entire defence process. We will explain this complex area of law in a way you will understand, build and present a case that will give you the best possible chance and keep you up to date on all proceedings.
Our aim is to serve your best interests and help keep you on the road, as we understand the effect that drug and drink driving penalties can have on your life. We will investigate for exceptional hardship and present evidence of this in court.
For more information on our fees, please click here to view our up-to-date schedule of costs.
How we can help
If you are facing allegations of drug driving, contacting an expert defence lawyer is the best chance you’ll have of keeping your licence. To speak to a member of our team based in Yorkshire, use the details on the enquiry form to speak to someone in our Leeds, Sheffield or York offices. If you require immediate assistance, please call us on our 24/7 mobile number on 07971 520407
Jeremy (Scott), I just wanted to thank you for today. I think your presence with me at the police station really helped, and lead to the charges being dropped.
Anon
Thank you once again for all your help (Jeremy Scott) and support through, what was, an extremely stressful time and also for achieving such a positive outcome for myself. I honestly thought I would get 8 points and a huge fine, so that was a massive relief.
Anon
‘The case against me has been dropped. What a relief. I feel much in your debt. With much thanks,’
Anon
“Jeremy Scott is a highly experienced regulatory lawyer.”
Legal 500 2021
Jeremy Scott heads the Lupton Fawcett Regulatory and corporate defence department and is praised for his ‘significant experience defending businesses and senior employees’.
The Legal 500 UK
I have been extremely pleased with the outcome of this case and would like to express my gratitude for your (Jeremy Scott) help on the matter, as I believe this is an outcome that I could not have achieved otherwise.
ET, London
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