Legal drugs are prescription or over-the-counter medicines
Some prescription drugs could lead drivers to a hefty fine or even a driving ban(Image: Peter Carruthers/Getty Images)
Some prescription drugs could lead drivers to a hefty fine or even a driving ban. The Government said it’s illegal in England, Scotland and Wales to drive with legal drugs in your body if it impairs your driving.
It’s also an offence to drive if you have over the specified limits of certain drugs in your blood and you have not been prescribed them, even if they have not affected your driving. Legal drugs are prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
The Government urged anyone who isn’t sure if they should drive while taking prescription drugs to talk to a doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. The police can stop you and make you do a “field impairment assessment” if they think you’re on drugs.
This is a series of tests, for example asking you to walk in a straight line. They can also use a roadside drug kit to screen for cannabis and cocaine.
If police think you’re unfit to drive because of taking drugs, you’ll be arrested and will have to take a blood or urine test at a police station. You could be charged with a crime if the test shows you’ve taken drugs.
If you take any of the following prescription medicines, you should talk to a doctor about whether it is safe to continue driving:
amphetamine, for example dexamphetamine or selegilineclonazepamdiazepamflunitrazepamlorazepammethadonemorphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, for example codeine, tramadol or fentanyloxazepamtemazepam
Drivers can continue using their vehicles after taking the drugs if they have been prescribed them and followed advice for how to to take them by a healthcare professional and they are not unfit to drive as a result of the medication.
You could be prosecuted if you drive with certain levels of drugs in your body and have not been prescribed them.
According to the government website, penalties for drug driving include a minimum of one year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison and a criminal record.
Driving licenses will also show you have been convicted of drug driving.
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