Drink & Drug Driving Penalties - Glasgow Law

Transportation Scotland 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of Scotland

In Glasgow, Scotland drivers are prosecuted under UK road traffic law and enforced locally by Police Scotland and the courts. This guide explains typical penalties for drink and drug driving, who enforces them, how to report suspected offences, and the practical steps after a stop or conviction. It summarises official penalty figures and enforcement routes current as of February 2026 and points to the primary official sources for further detail.

Penalties & Enforcement

Offences for driving or attempting to drive above the legal alcohol or drug limit, and refusing to provide a specimen, carry criminal penalties on conviction. Typical maximum and mandatory penalties shown on the official government guidance include up to 6 months in prison, an unlimited fine and a driving ban of at least 12 months (3 years for new drivers); endorsement of 3 to 11 penalty points may also apply. See official government guidance for the statutory penalties and minimum disqualification rules: GOV.UK guidance on drink-driving penalties[1].

Enforcement and investigation are carried out by Police Scotland; road policing officers stop vehicles, conduct breath or drug screening, and may arrest or issue notices. Reporting suspected dangerous or impaired driving is handled by Police Scotland via emergency and non-emergency channels and local road policing units. For local enforcement and reporting information see Police Scotland road safety and contact pages: Police Scotland road safety and reporting[2].

If you are stopped, cooperate with lawful police instructions and ask for legal advice before answering detailed questions.

Fines, Custody and Disqualification

  • Monetary penalty: the official guidance states an "unlimited fine" on conviction for drink or drug driving.[1]
  • Custody: up to 6 months imprisonment is listed on the official guidance for these offences.[1]
  • Disqualification: mandatory minimum ban of 12 months (3 years for new drivers) is specified on official guidance.[1]
  • Endorsement: 3 to 11 penalty points are specified for many convictions on official guidance.[1]
Refusing to provide a specimen carries the same range of penalties as exceeding the limit according to official guidance.

Escalation and Repeat Offences

The official guidance sets minimum disqualification periods and indicates courts may impose longer bans, higher fines or custody for repeat or aggravated offences; precise escalation ranges beyond the stated minimums are not fully enumerated on the cited guidance pages and so are not specified here.[1]

Non-monetary Sanctions and Court Action

  • Court orders: disqualification, community orders or imprisonment are available to courts as set out in statute.[1]
  • Vehicle seizure: seizure powers may be used by police in specific circumstances; details depend on police operational policy and statutory powers not fully itemised on the cited pages.

Enforcers, Inspections and Complaints

Primary enforcer: Police Scotland and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) for prosecution. To report an immediate risk call 999; for non-emergency reports use Police Scotland non-emergency contact routes linked above.[2] To complain about police conduct or evidential handling use the Police Scotland complaints process and COPFS guidance for prosecutorial decisions; those procedural pages are maintained by the respective agencies and linked in the resources section below.

Evidence such as dashcam footage or witness details can be vital when reporting an incident.

Appeals, Review and Time Limits

Appeals against conviction or sentence proceed through the Scottish criminal courts and appellate process; specific statutory appeal time limits and procedural steps are determined by court rules and are not fully specified on the linked guidance pages.

Defences and Judicial Discretion

Possible defences and judicial discretion depend on statutory defences, the facts at trial, and legal argument; the primary guidance pages summarise penalties but do not list exhaustive defences or discretionary factors.

Common Violations and Typical Penalties

  • Driving over the alcohol limit - up to 6 months custody, unlimited fine, minimum 12 month ban and 3-11 points on conviction.[1]
  • Driving under the influence of a controlled drug - similar maximum penalties and endorsements as alcohol offences according to official guidance.[1]
  • Refusal to provide specimen - treated with the same maximum penalties as failing the test on conviction per official guidance.[1]

Applications & Forms

There is no single civilian application form to contest an immediate roadside test; enforcement is actioned by police and courts and formal notices and court papers are issued as part of prosecution casework. Specific prosecutorial forms or notices used by police and COPFS are not published as a single public application form on the cited guidance pages.

If you receive a notice to appear, seek solicitor advice promptly to understand options and deadlines.

FAQ

What is the legal alcohol limit for drivers in Glasgow?
The legal drink-drive limits are set by UK law; detailed limits and testing procedures are summarised on the official GOV.UK guidance on drink-driving penalties and related pages.[1]
What happens if I refuse a breath or blood test?
Refusal is a criminal offence and, on conviction, carries the same range of penalties as drink-driving offences, including possible imprisonment, an unlimited fine and disqualification as set out on GOV.UK.[1]
How do I report a suspected drink or drug driver in Glasgow?
Report immediate danger via 999; for non-emergencies use Police Scotland non-emergency contact methods and road safety reporting pages linked above.[2]

How-To

  1. When stopped, stay calm, provide requested documents and, if asked for breath or drug screening, comply unless you have lawful grounds otherwise.
  2. If arrested, ask for a solicitor and do not make detailed statements without legal advice.
  3. Preserve evidence: note times, locations, witness names and keep dashcam footage safe.
  4. To report, call 999 for ongoing danger or use Police Scotland non-emergency contact routes for incidents that have already occurred.

Key Takeaways

  • Drink and drug driving can lead to up to 6 months custody, an unlimited fine and mandatory disqualification in Scotland.[1]
  • Police Scotland enforces road offences; report emergencies to 999 and non-emergencies via Police Scotland contact routes.[2]

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] GOV.UK - Drink-driving penalties
  2. [2] Police Scotland - Road safety and reporting

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