Maximum penalties for drink driving offence

• a 12 month mandatory disqualification for first offence or 3 years for second offence within 10 years;
• a fine of up to £5,000.00; and/or
• 6 months imprisonment.

If you are convicted of drink driving it is obligatory that you are disqualified from driving unless the Court finds that a "special reason" exists for not doing so.

The Court does have the opportunity to consider sending a convicted motorist on a rehabilitation course. This entitles a reduction of 25% of the disqualification period. A mandatory 12 month ban would therefore be reduced to 9 months.