Trustpilot
Show More

Ask an Expert

Can you go to prison for drink driving?

Drink driving is a criminal offence. Depending on the severity of the offence and the level of alcohol in your system, you could face a prison sentence; the court will also take into account both aggravating and mitigating factors, as well as whether you have any previous convictions.

  • Up to 3 months in prison for being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink or above the legal limit

  • Up to 6 months in prison for driving, or attempting to drive, while unfit through drink or above the legal limit. Or, for refusing to provide a sample of urine, blood or breath for analysis when requested.

  • Up to 14 years in prison for death caused by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol.

To be prosecuted for drink driving, your blood, breath or urine sample must prove to be over the legal limit when tested. If you’re arrested and subsequently found to be below the limit, you’ll be released without charge.

Drink driving offences are taken to the Magistrates’ Court, though the most serious cases may be heard in the Crown Court. In addition to a prison sentence, you may also be handed hefty fines and a driving ban, while any car insurance premiums you face in the future are likely to be far higher.

*51% of consumers could save £535.17 on their Car Insurance. The saving was calculated by comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next four cheapest prices quoted by insurance providers on Seopa Ltd’s insurance comparison website. This is based on representative cost savings from May 2026 data. The savings you could achieve are dependent on your individual circumstances and how you selected your current insurance supplier.

Latest News

Related guides

What to Do If Your Car is Stolen

Police report’s that car thefts have nearly doubled in the last five years in the UK.With figures rising at such an alarming rate, it’s a good idea to be prepared if you are a victim of such an unfortunate and expensive crime.This guide will run you through the steps to take if your car is stolen. If you want to know about how to prevent it being stolen in the first place, read our guide onhow to protect your car from theft.

Personal possessions cover with car insurance

Without personal possessions cover, if your vehicle gets stolen you may get a payout to cover its replacement but not the items you had left inside it. Find out how to check if you've got personal possessions cover as part of your car insurance policy, and how to get it if not, in this guide.

Fronting explained

Never heard of car insurance fronting? Then listen up to avoid facing any nasty legal consequences.If you, a relative or a friend are looking for the best car insurance deals and don’t fancy the high premiums you’re being quoted, you might inadvertently consider fronting. But what is it?Fronting is a type of insurance fraud, and many people may not be aware they’re committing a fraud when they front.The primary perpetrators of fronting? It may surprise you…parents.