If the police suspect you are driving under the influence of drugs, they will conduct a number of tests on the roadside which could include:

• Testing the size of your pupils;

• The walk and run test;

• One leg stand test;

• Finger to nose test;

• The Romberg balance and judgement;

• Drugalyser - saliva swab test.

If you fail one of these tests, you may have to provide a biological sample which could be either a blood or urine sample. This does not require consent.

For more information contact our motoring offence solicitors on 01772 220 022 or contact us by submitting the online form or send us an email.

Failure to take a drugs test could have serious consequences. If you fail to provide a sample, you could face charges for failure to provide a specimen which could result in a minimum 12 month driving ban, a fine of up to £5,000, community service and up to six months imprisonment.

Please contact our motoring offence solicitors on 01772 220 022 for more information or contact us by email.

The police take a zero-tolerance approach to illicit drugs:

Illicit drugs Threshold limit in blood in microgrammes per litre of blood.

• Benzoylecgonine 50µg/L

• Cocaine 10µg/L

• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol (cannabis) 2µg/L

• Ketamine 20µg/L

• Lysergic acid diethylamide 1µg/L

• Methylamphetamine 10µg/L

• MDMA 10µg/L

• 6-monoacetylmorphine (heroin) 5µg/L

If you are taking medication for an illness and found to be over the prescribed limit whilst being in control of a vehicle, you could be prosecuted if you are found to be over the limits below:

Medicinal drugs (risk-based approach) Threshold limit in blood in microgrammes per litre of blood.

• Amphetamine 250µg/L

• Clonazepam 50µg/L

• Diazepam 550µg/L

• Flunitrazepam 300µg/L

• Lorazepam 100µg/L

• Methadone 500µg/L

• Morphine 80µg/L

• Oxazepam 300µg/L

• Temazepam 1,000µg/L

If you're taking medication, make sure you are taking it as advised by your doctor.

If you've been caught with legal or illicit drugs in your system whilst driving, contact out motoring offence solicitors on 01772 220 022 or contact us by email.

If you can prove that you have taken the prescription drugs as advised by your doctor who has confirmed you can drive on the prescribed dosage, and you have taken the medication as prescribed in accordance with the leaflet provided, this could be a valid defence.

For more information contact our motoring offence solicitors on 01772 220 022 or contact us by email.

If you are charged with drug driving you will face a mandatory driving disqualification of a minimum of 12 months, an unlimited fine, a community order or up to six months imprisonment. You are more likely to receive a prison sentence if the reading is high or if this isn't your first motoring offence. For repeat offenders, the mandatory disqualification period is 36 months as well as an unlimited fine.

To speak to a motoring offence solicitor call 01772 220 022 or make an enquiry here.

Similar to drink driving, a conviction for drug driving will remain on your licence for 11 years from the date of your conviction. If you're convicted of another motoring offence during this time, you will face much tougher penalties.

For more information contact our motoring offence solicitors on 01772 220 022 or contact us here.

If you have been found guilty of drug driving and receive a driving ban and you think the ban is too severe, if you have a legitimate reason to do so, you can make an appeal to the Crown Court. You have 21 days from the date your driving ban was imposed to file an appeal. A Judge will make a decision to uphold, rescind or vary the decision. An appeal may lead to a reduced driving ban or even lead to the driving ban being overturned meaning you will get your licence back sooner than expected.

If you would like to appeal a drug driving conviction contact Forbes Solicitors on 01772 220 022 or contact us by email.