How the Sentence Calculator Works
Our drink driving sentence calculator estimates the likely outcome of your case based on the Sentencing Council guidelines. Enter your breath, blood or urine reading along with key circumstances to receive an indication of the expected ban length, fine range and likelihood of custody.
The Sentencing Council guidelines divide drink driving offences into three categories based on the level of alcohol detected. Each category has a starting point for the sentence which the court then adjusts based on aggravating and mitigating factors specific to your case.
This tool is for informational purposes only. The actual sentence you receive will depend on the full circumstances of your case and how it is presented to the court. A specialist solicitor can significantly influence the outcome.
Sentencing Bands Explained
Band A - Lower Range
Band A covers breath readings of 36 to 59 micrograms, blood readings of 81 to 137 milligrams and urine readings of 108 to 183 milligrams. The starting point is a Band C fine, which is 150 percent of relevant weekly income.
The typical driving ban for a first offence in this band is 12 to 16 months. A community order is unlikely and custody is very rare. The court will normally offer the drink drive rehabilitation course to reduce the ban by up to 25 percent.
Band B - Medium Range
Band B covers breath readings of 60 to 89 micrograms, blood readings of 138 to 206 milligrams and urine readings of 184 to 274 milligrams. The starting point is a medium-level community order.
The driving ban for a first offence is typically 17 to 22 months. A community order may include unpaid work, a curfew or a supervision requirement. Custody remains unlikely for first offenders at this level unless there are significant aggravating factors.
Band C - Higher Range
Band C covers breath readings of 90 to 119 micrograms, blood readings of 207 to 275 milligrams and urine readings of 275 to 366 milligrams. The starting point is a custodial sentence of 12 weeks.
At readings of 120 micrograms in breath and above, the starting point increases to 26 weeks custody with a ban of 29 to 36 months. Immediate custody is a realistic possibility at this level, though it may be suspended depending on mitigating factors.
The Guilty Plea Discount
A guilty plea entered at the earliest opportunity attracts a one-third reduction in sentence. This is the maximum credit available and applies when you indicate your guilty plea at the first hearing in the magistrates court.
A guilty plea entered after the first hearing but before the trial date receives a reducing credit. The later the plea is entered, the less credit is given. A plea entered on the day of trial may receive only a 10 percent reduction.
The guilty plea discount affects the custodial element, the length of the community order and the level of the fine. However, it does not directly reduce the driving ban, though in practice a lower sentence tends to correlate with a shorter ban.
Getting Professional Advice
A sentence calculator provides a useful starting point, but it cannot account for every factor that influences the outcome. The skill of your legal representative in presenting mitigation, the specific magistrates hearing your case, and the quality of the character evidence you provide all make a difference.
Our specialist solicitors have represented thousands of drink driving clients and understand exactly what courts need to hear. We can advise on the likely sentence for your specific circumstances and take steps to achieve the best possible outcome.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your case details and provide honest, straightforward advice about what to expect.