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Drugs and driving
legislation
An information guide
From 2nd March 2015, The Road Traffic Act
1988 will be changed to include a new
additional offence of ‘driving with certain
specified drugs in excess of specified levels’. This
places limits on the amounts of certain drugs
that you can have in your bloodstream whilst
driving.
Police officers will be able to use roadside drug
screening devices using your saliva to identify if
you have taken one of the prescribed drugs:
Group I
Cannabis
Ketamine
Cocaine
Diamorphine (Heroin)
Group 2
Clonazepam
Diazepam
Lorazepam
Oxazepam
Temazepam
Flunitrazepam
Methadone
Morphine & other ‘opioid based’ drugs eg
codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
The specified limits have been set higher
for medicines in Group 2 than those in
Group 1, which are more likely to be
abused/used recreationally.As you are
taking a medicine that is affected by the
new legislation you should be aware of the
following information:
• there is a “medical defence” for those who are
taking medicines in line with a healthcare
professional’s advice, provided their driving is
not impaired
• keep some suitable evidence with you when
driving to show that you are taking your
medicine as prescribed. Examples could include
this leaflet, a repeat prescription slip or the
patient information leaflet included with your
medication.
General advice regarding medicines that
may impair driving ability
• you must not drive if you feel sleepy, dizzy,
are unable to concentrate or make decisions,
have slowed thinking or if you experience sight
problems. If the medicine is one that could
affect your driving ability, you should not drive
until you know how the medicine affects you
as an individual, particularly when starting a
new medicine or following a dose change
It is important to note that if your driving
is impaired, you can still be prosecuted
under the existing offence of driving
whilst impaired through drugs, for which
there is no statutory “medical defence”.
If you have any further queries regarding this
advice please speak to your pharmacist, doctor
or alternatively contact our Medicines
Information department(s) on 0161 720 2152
(North Manchester General Hospital) or 0161
627 8968 (Royal Oldham Hospital).
You have been prescribed:
• if you start a new medicine, even if it is one
that does not directly affect your driving you
should check with your pharmacist if it could
have an effect on any of the other medicines
you are already taking
• remember that alcohol taken in combination
with medicines, even in small amounts can
greatly increase the risk of accidents
Attach dispensing label here
• an untreated medical condition may itself
cause driving impairment and so it is important
that you do not stop taking your medicines.
If English is not your first language and you need help, please contact the
Ethnic Health Team on 0161 627 8770
Jeżeli angielski nie jest twoim pierwszym językiem i potrzebujesz pomocy proszę skontaktować
się z załogą Ethnic Health pod numerem telefonu 0161 627 8770
For general enquiries please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0161 604 5897
For enquiries regarding clinic appointments, clinical care and treatment please contact 0161 624 0420 and
the Switchboard Operator will put you through to the correct department / service.
Date of publication: February 2015
Date of review: February 2018
Ref: PI_MC_916
© The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
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