Penalties for driving while under the influence of drugs can include jail time and losing your license, which is why understanding the rules is so important.
A warning has been issued reminding drivers that it is illegal to get behind the wheel with certain drugs in your system — even if those medications are legal and prescribed by a doctor.
When driving, you must be fully alert and able to focus, and anything that affects your awareness or reaction time can become dangerous.
Most people know there are restrictions on taking certain medications abroad when flying, but the laws around driving while using drugs appear to be far less understood.
Just as you can face fines or imprisonment for carrying medication that is banned in another country, drivers can also face serious consequences for ignoring laws related to drug use behind the wheel.
Put simply, in England, Scotland, and Wales, it is illegal to drive if ‘legal drugs in your body impair your driving’.
This guidance comes directly from the official UK government website, making it something drivers should pay close attention to.
Here’s what you should know about what is and isn’t permitted.
If you’ve been prescribed any of the following medications, you should speak with your doctor before driving:
amphetamine, for example dexamphetamine or selegiline
clonazepam
diazepam
flunitrazepam
lorazepam
methadone
morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, for example codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
oxazepam
temazepam
Still, don’t panic as this of course isn’t a blanket ban and you can still take one of these and drive if you’ve followed the advice on how to take them by a healthcare professional.
Understandably, you have to make sure they’re not causing you to be unfit to drive – even if you’re above the specified limits, in most cases it’s okay as long as it’s not impacting your ability.
On the other hand, if you haven’t been prescribed one of these drugs and you’re found driving with them in your system, this is when you could face serious consequences and be prosecuted.
The law does not cover Northern Ireland but you could still be arrested if you’re unfit to drive, the government website adds.
What happens if you’re caught drug driving in the UK?
Penalties for drug driving can vary from a minimum one year driving ban or an unlimited fine to up to six months in prison and a criminal record.
On top of this, your driving licence will show you’ve been convicted for drug driving for a whopping 11 years.
And the maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving under the influence of drugs is life imprisonment.
It’s also not just legal troubles you’ll face – the issues can actually seep into your personal life too.
The government advises that your car insurance costs will increase significantly if you’re done for driving on drugs.
If you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence and you may also have trouble travelling to countries like the US.
So all in all, as you can see, it’s really not worth it and it’s important to check up on the facts and touch base with your doctor if you’re taking new medication.
It comes as Greg Wilson, founder of car insurance specialists at Quotezone, has warned people on three specific prescription meds to ‘avoid driving’ altogether.
He explained: “If you are on strong medications, it is likely that you will be recommended to avoid driving.”
The expert told Birmingham Live: “Opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and certain antidepressants are examples of medicines that can affect driving ability – as well as those that cause drowsiness or say ‘do not operate heavy machinery.”
Road safety charity, Brake, added that these warnings can be ‘vague or in small print only’ and ‘they may indicate there is a risk of impairment but not relate it to driving’.
This is why it’s always important to seek advice if you’re unsure, so we can keep the roads safe for everyone.