Drink Driving Ban Calculator

Calculate the length of your drink driving ban

Our quick drink driving penalty calculator will estimate the likely sentence you can expect if convicted of drink driving in England and Wales.

Aggravating factors 

You may know that drink driving carries a mandatory minimum 12 month driving disqualification. The penalty imposed by the court depends upon a number of factors including;

1. The breath, blood or urine result (read more about the limits here)
2. Any aggravating features making the case more serious (i.e. bad driving, car accident, passengers etc...)
3. The level of impairment
4. Any previous convictions
5. Your behaviour in police custody  

All magistrates use sentencing guidelines in the Magistrates' Court. The purpose of the sentencing guidelines is to ensure that the sentenced imposed by the court is fair, just and proportionate to the crime committed. The guidelines also help to achieve consistency when sentencing in different courts across the country. You can find the Drink Driving Sentencing Guidelines below. 

Quick Ban Calculator Tool

Free Initial Legal Advice? 

Can I defend a drink driving charge? 

A driving ban is only mandatory if you're convicted (or you plead guilty) to drink driving. You may be resigned to the fact that you are going to lose your licence. Perhaps you've made alternative arrangements to get to work or take your children to school. A driving ban is not inevitable. We regularly win drink driving cases because of silly mistakes made by the Police and CPS. A breath reading is not the only evidence the police need to prove this case in court. 

Take a look at our recent case victories below. You may find similarities between these cases and your own. 

Remember that you can always seek free initial advice from our team of driving lawyers. We are happy to explain your options free of charge. 

I have a previous conviction for drink driving

Lots of our clients have previous drink and drug driving convictions. Naturally, they're more concerned about the risk of immediate custody and what can be done to avoid this. If you have a previous conviction, there is good news and bad. Let's start with the bad news; 

• You are likely to receive a minimum three year driving ban 
• You will be considered a high risk offender 
• You are more likely to receive a prison sentence

And now the good news;

• The court will not know about your previous conviction unless the CPS make a bad character application. Remember - we can always oppose bad character 
• The driving ban will not increase even if you challenge the allegation and are later found guilty
• The risk of prison is always low in drink driving cases 
• You may have a defence to the allegation without knowing
• You can apply for your licence back after two years 

Will I have to re-take my driving test?

Drink driving does not carry a mandatory re-test, even if you're convicted within your first two years of driving. However, if you're convicted of dangerous driving you will be required to take an extended retest. 

If you accrue 6 points within your first two years of driving you will be required to re-take your driving test. This includes your theory and practical. 

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