Estimating Your Drink Driving Ban Length
The length of your driving ban depends primarily on your alcohol reading and whether you have previous convictions. Our calculator uses the Sentencing Council guidelines to provide an estimate of the likely disqualification period.
For a first offence, the minimum ban is 12 months. The actual length increases based on the level of your reading. For a second offence within 10 years, the minimum ban is 3 years. The calculator takes both scenarios into account.
The rehabilitation course can reduce your ban by up to 25 percent if offered by the court and completed successfully. Our calculator shows both the standard ban length and the reduced length with the course.
Ban Lengths by Reading Level
First Offence Ban Lengths
For breath readings of 36 to 59 micrograms, the typical ban is 12 to 16 months. With the rehabilitation course, this reduces to approximately 9 to 12 months. This range covers most first-time drink drivers caught just over the limit.
For readings of 60 to 89 micrograms, the ban is typically 17 to 22 months, reducing to approximately 13 to 17 months with the course. At 90 micrograms and above, the ban ranges from 23 to 36 months, reducing to 17 to 27 months with the course.
Second Offence Ban Lengths
A second conviction within 10 years of the first carries a mandatory minimum ban of 3 years. The court cannot impose a shorter ban than this regardless of the reading level. The 10-year period runs from conviction date to conviction date.
For higher readings on a second offence, the ban can be significantly longer than 3 years. The court will also consider the circumstances of both offences when determining the appropriate ban length. The rehabilitation course may or may not be offered for a second offence.
The Drink Drive Rehabilitation Course
The court has discretion to offer the drink drive rehabilitation course when imposing a ban of at least 12 months. The course reduces the disqualification period by up to 25 percent. It is not automatically offered and is at the discretion of the sentencing bench.
If offered, you must complete the course before the reduced disqualification period expires. The course involves attending sessions over several weeks and is designed to educate drivers about the effects of alcohol and the risks of drink driving.
The cost of the course is typically between 150 and 250 pounds and must be paid by the offender. Despite the cost, the reduction in ban length makes the course financially beneficial in most cases due to the earlier return to driving.
Factors That Can Increase Your Ban
The starting point ban length can be increased by aggravating factors. Causing an accident, having passengers, previous convictions and driving for commercial purposes all tend to push the ban upwards.
Conversely, strong personal mitigation, a clean record and evidence of steps taken to address alcohol issues can help keep the ban towards the lower end of the range. The quality of your legal representation plays a significant role in the final outcome.
Our solicitors work to achieve the shortest possible ban for every client. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss the likely ban length in your specific case.