A drug driving solicitor offers specialised assistance and legal advice to individuals who have been accused of driving under the influence of drugs in the UK. The Road Traffic Act expressly prohibits driving or being in charge of a vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In the UK, it is illegal to drive or attempt to drive if the individual is under the influence of illegal drugs and/or is under the influence of controlled drugs (over a prescribed limit). The role of a drug driving solicitor in London is to provide legal assistance in these situations.
Our driving solicitors in London include lawyers who specialize in the Road Traffic Act and offences that involve driving or attempting to drive while unfit through the consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Like our drink driving solicitors in the UK, our drug driving solicitors can intervene as soon as you have been accused of a drug-driving related offence.
Table of Contents
How is drug-driving punishable in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, it is illegal to drive while being unfit through the consumption of illegal drug or the consumption of legal drugs/controlled drugs above a specified limit. The latter is relevant because some types of medicines can impair the user’s driving.
Our local drug driving solicitor in London lists the main penalties for drug driving below:
- Driving ban: can include a minimum ban period of 1 year;
- Fine: there is no prescribed limit on a drug driving fine;
- Imprisonment: up to 6 months;
- Others: the guilty individual will have a criminal record as a result of drugged driving and his or her license will indicate that he/she was convicted for this type of offence – for 11 years after the conviction.
In addition to the aforementioned penalties, one could also receive life imprisonment (as a maximum penalty) for causing death by careless driving due to driving under the influence of drugs.
The penalties for drink driving are different and various limits apply. Our drink driving solicitor in London can give you more details.
How are prescription medicines treated in the UK in relation to driving?
Driving while under the influence of legal drugs is not permitted in the UK when the concentration of the said drug(s) influences one’s ability to drive.
Many types of medicines can alter the patient’s ability to operate a vehicle, including diazepam or lorazepam, or amphetamines. Although these are examples of drugs that can also be administered illicitly, they can be prescribed for certain types of conditions such as ADHD or depression (as per the doctor’s indications).
If you are taking drugs that can alter your ability to drive, you can talk to our drug drive solicitor to find more about the implications of driving while not following the medical advice you have received for their proper use.
How can a drug driving solicitor in London help me?
Getting specialised legal advice from a drug driving lawyer early on can be important for the outcome of your case. One of our solicitors can help you with police station representation so that you can receive immediate advice.
If you are found guilty of drugged driving, having adequate legal representation can be essential. A lawyer can help you understand how (if any) mitigating factors can apply in your case.
According to a report from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, more drivers are being arrested in the UK for drink and driving offences. News from March 2025 reveals that:
- 42.2% of drivers tested for drugs were positive;
- 7,727 drug tests were conducted during 1 Dec 2024 and 1 Jan 2025;
- 85% of drug or drink drive offenders were men;
- 79% of all offenders (drink and drug driving combined) were 25 of older.
In 2023, more than 19% of all fatal collisions in the UK were caused by at least one drug or drink-related factor.
If you are facing prosecution because of driving under the influence, our drug driving solicitor can assist you. Contact us for more information about how we can help you.