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Prescription drugs and driving in Scotland

It's important to understand the law around taking prescription drugs and driving.

The law is to catch people who risk lives. It's not to catch people who legally take medicines which do not affect their driving.

The law on prescription drugs and driving

It's a crime to drive if you're:

  • over the limits for certain prescription or illegal drugs
  • unfit because you've taken any drug

Read more about the law on drug driving.

Driving over prescription drug limits

You'll only commit a crime if:

  • you were not prescribed the drug
  • it affects your driving
  • you do not take prescription drugs as advised

The limits for most prescription drugs are set at levels which clearly affect driving.

The prescription drugs the law applies to are:

  • amphetamine including dexamphetamine (ADHD)
  • clonazepam (epilepsy and other seizure disorders)
  • diazepam (anxiety, alcohol withdrawal and muscle spasm)
  • flunitrazepam (insomnia)
  • lorazepam (anxiety and insomnia)
  • medicinal cannabis (epilepsy, chronic pain relief) 
  • methadone (drug addiction withdrawal and pain relief)
  • morphine (pain relief)
  • oxazepam (anxiety and insomnia)
  • temazepam (insomnia and sedation before medical or dental procedures)

Read more about drug limits.

The drugs on this list include details of what they're often used for. However some drugs can be prescribed for other uses. Check with a healthcare professional if you're unsure.

What the limits mean for you

The limits are what's measured in your blood and not how much you can take.

Many factors affect this including:

  • age
  • weight
  • how hydrated you are
  • how your body tolerates the drug

It's impossible to say for sure what dose of any drug will put you over the limits or how safe it is to drive after taking it.

But you do not need to worry about being over the limits if:

  • you were prescribed the drug
  • you take it how your healthcare professional advised
  • you're sure it does not affect your driving

You should keep taking any medication as advised. Talk to a healthcare professional if you're taking any drug and are worried it affects your driving.

Unfit to drive through drugs

It's a crime to drive after taking any drug that affects your driving.

For example if it makes you drowsy or affects your judgement or concentration.

This applies to any drug and includes:

  • prescription drugs (for example tramadol, diazepam or medicinal cannabis)
  • over the counter medicines (for example co-codamol or antihistamines)
  • illegal drugs (for example cocaine or cannabis)

You can still be convicted of this crime even if you're not over drug limits.

Warning

It's your responsibiilty to be sure you're fit to drive.

Roadside drugs test

The police can stop you if they think you're drug driving.

They can:

  • make you do a field impairment test – including checking your pupils and asking you to walk in a straight line

  • test you at the roadside for illegal drugs using saliva from a mouth swab

The police will arrest you if you fail either of these tests.

Warning

You could be convicted if it's proven you were unfit to drive or the blood tests show you've taken drugs.

Find out about being charged with a crime.

What happens if you're convicted

If you're convicted of drug driving you'll get:

  • a minimum 1 year driving ban
  • between 3 and 11 penalty points
  • a fine of up to £5,000 and/or up to 6 months in prison
  • a criminal record

Your driving licence will show you've been convicted of drug driving. This will last for 11 years.

You could go to prison for up to 14 years if you cause death by dangerous driving if unfit through drugs.

Other problems you could face

A drug driving conviction can also affect:

  • car insurance costs
  • current or future jobs
  • travelling to countries such as the USA
  • volunteering – especially with children or people with support needs

Illegal drugs and driving

Read about illegal drugs and driving.

Report drug driving

Find out how to report a crime.

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