Motorists could lose their driving licence over an offence behind the wheel – even unknowingly if using certain legal medicines.
It might be easy to think that once you’ve passed the notorious driving test you’ll get to have your licence forever unless you do something outrageous.
The first hoop for new drivers is to avoid getting six or more penalty points during the first two years as this could end up with the licence being revoked.
Other more obvious grounds for drivers losing their licence include speeding, careless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
However, legal drugs can also hamper your ability to drive safely and it breaches the Road Traffic Act 1988, MyLondon reports.
The law is clear that motorists in England, Wales and Scotland should not hit the road if they are unfit to drive because of legal drugs.
Driving under the influence of some prescription and over-the-counter medicines is also against the law if you’ve not been prescribed them.
Illegal drugs are out of bounds for drivers without a doubt even if it doesn’t affect driving. Police can stop drivers and ask to do a roadside field impairment test or a drug swipe for cannabis and cocaine.
Prescription medicine that could impact driving
Motorists who have been prescribed the following medicine should ask their doctor if it is safe for them to drive.
- amphetamine, for example dexamphetamine or selegiline
- clonazepam
- diazepam
- flunitrazepam
- lorazepam
- methadone
- morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, for example codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
- oxazepam
- temazepam
Penalties
Penalties for drug driving, including for certain medicines without an appropriate prescription and illegal substances, include a minimum one year driving ban.
You could also face an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison and a criminal record.
It would also show on your driving licence for 11 years that you’ve been convicted for drug driving.
Other issues would be higher car insurance costs, your employer seeing the conviction if you drive for work and trouble entering countries like the US.
There is also a list of medical conditions that could be the end of the road for many drivers through no fault of their own.
Failing to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) about a known medical condition could land motorists with a fine of up to £1,000.
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The DVLA has listed dozens of conditions and illnesses. With some of them, you are required to let them know regardless of whether it impacts your ability to drive or not and they are known as notifiable conditions.
They include:
- Diabetes or taking insulin
- Syncope (fainting)
- Heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers
- Sleep apnoea
- Epilepsy
- Strokes
- Glaucoma
Driving licences made headlines this week after the government announced plans to launch new digital licences later this year.
The move could impact around 50 million Britons with licences.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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