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Drug Driving Limits – Legal Limits

Even though the Police take a zero tolerance approach to Drug Driving Offences, most UK motorists still do not fully understand what the UK’s drug driving legal limits are.

The potential life changing consequences of being convicted, or that they may already be taking medication in quantities that are deemed illegal if pulled over at the roadside.

If any of these points ring true with you and you find yourself facing a drug driving charge It is essential you call one of our specialist drug driving solicitors on 0161 839 5117 for our Manchester Office or 020 3886 2340 for our London Office or see Drug Driving.Org.

Drug Driving Test Results?

We often get asked how do police undertake Drug Driving Test Results? If you wish to know the correct procedure to follow after being arrested for Drug Driving, check out the Drug drive procedure or feel free to give us a call on the numbers above.

Medical Drug Driving Limits

Below are some of the drugs you will find in medicine which are illegal otherwise and which are included in drug driving legislation:

  • Cannabis (THC)
  • Cocaine
  • Morphine
  • Diamorphine
  • Methadone
  • Ketamine, Amphetamine
  • Flunitrazepam
  • Diazepam
  • Lorazepam
  • Oxazepam
  • Temazepam

Prescription Drug Driving Limits

Below are some of the limits for prescribed drugs:

  • Morphine                                        80 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Methadone                                     500 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Diazepam                                         550 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Clonazepam                                    50 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Flunitrazepam                                300 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Lorazepam                                      100 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Oxazepam                                       300 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Temazepam                                    1000 micrograms per 1 litre of blood

Illegal Drugs Limits

Below are some of the limits for illegal drugs:

  • Benzoylecgonine                        50 micrograms per 100ml of blood
  • Cocaine                                            10 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Cannabis                                          2 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Ecstasy/MDMA                               10 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Heroin & Diamorphine                 5 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Ketamine                                         20 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • LSD                                                    1 micrograms per 1 litre of blood
  • Methylamphetamine                    10 micrograms per 1 litre of blood

How are the Drug Driving limits calculated?

The UK drug driving test result limits are calculated based on the amount of the drug “per litre of blood”.

Drug Driving Limits

What they actually mean

It is impossible to say exactly how much of a drug you will need to consume before reaching the legal threshold. Remember, the quantity that puts you over the limit may not put another individual taking the same amount over the legal threshold.

How long will non prescribed drugs stay in my system

The exact amount of time a drug will stay in your system before dropping below the legal threshold is impossible to say as there are far to many factors.

These can include the strength, amount and whether you have mixed the drug with any other illegal substances. Other factors unique to you also play a key role such as your height, metabolic rate and gender.

What effects will drugs have on my driving?

Much in the same way as alcohol, certain drugs, prescribed or otherwise, will impair your ability to drive if taken in sufficient quantities.

In most cases when drugs are taken to excess the fundamental senses affected are vision, judgement, reaction time and hearing.

Example drugs and their effects:
  • Marijuana is linked to the impairment of the ability to drive a vehicle. Concentration can be significantly affected and creates difficulties in perceiving time and correctly judging distance. (If combined with opiate and sedatives can cause increased anxiety, hallucinations, along with increased heart rate and blood pressure).
  • Cocaine, while in most cases successfully masks fatigue will impair judgment, the ability to concentrate and coordination and impair vision. Taken in excess leads to an increase in impulsive behaviour with the tendency to take more risks.
  • Tranquillisers, The use of sedatives produces drowsiness, a decrease in coordination, altered perceptions, memory impairment, poor control of speech, slower reaction time.
  • Opiates are now to cause drowsiness, confusion, and visual impairment even at lower doses. The results of keeping the vehicle in the correct lane and may make errors in judgment.
  • Amphetamines, The use of amphetamines may interfere with concentration, impair vision, and increase the tendencies to take risks while behind the wheel.

For Information regarding Drug Driving Penalties or drug driving limits, please follow the link below.

Drug Driving Limits..

To get in contact with a member of our team, please either use the ‘Request a Callback’ form and we will be in touch with you as soon as possbile.

Alternatively, give us a call:

London & South – 020 3886 2340

Manchester & North – 0161 839 5117