Drink Driving?

You can expect a ban, but the length could vary. It may just be three months plus a fine, but your biggest problem is how much your car insurance will be when you re-apply. It will probably go through the roof. It's a hard lesson you are about to learn.

The chances are you will be under on the blood test reading as 36 is borderline on the breath test which tends to show a slightly higher result.

If you are over then expect a minimum 1 year ban and a fine that will reflect your income - ie they will fine you more if you earn more.

You won't know the punishment until your court appearance - usually about a week after the event.

Glasses of wine can easily contain 3 units of alcohol. The standard one unit is for a very small (pubs don't serve that small size anymore) glass of 8% wine (most wine is at least 11 or 12% now).

The problem is the time between when you drank the wine and when you were tested, If it was short a while it is possible that you could still have been absorbing alcohol between the marginal breath test and the blood test. On the otherhand if it had been some time then you will have absorbed all of the alcohol and have started metabolising it, and any blood test should be lower.

That said the reason that there is a difference between the limit and the prosecution threshold is margin for error. Whilst the test is usually pretty accurate, there are variances therefore it is necessary to get a reading that is higher than any margin for error.

There is really no way to determine what you BAC will end up being via the blood test as it will vary from person to person. There is a good chance you will have to take alcohol education classes and possibly have to do some community service or something like that. Other than that if this is your first offense I would not be surprised if you just got a slap on the wrist and possibly a fine. Drinking and Driving is never a good idea, I've lost many friends in the past years to alcohol. Best of luck to you and I hope you've learned your lesson.

You may have had a lucky escape.

The normal threshold for prosecution is 40µg/100ml but if you appeared drunk when driving they may take action for a lower level of alcohol if you also fail the blood test.

If your blood test shows 81-90mg/100ml, you stand a good chance of avoiding prosecution as your breath was below 40µg.

If you are unlucky, there is a mandatory 1 year ban and you will probably be fined about £300 - reduced if you have limited means.

Good Luck.

We can't answer this - the blood test results will vary from person to person.

You will have to wait and see but if you are over the limit - 12 month ban (probably) and a hefty fine at least.

Sorry to say it - but I have no sympathy whatsoever - even one drink when driving can slow your reaction time down and you can kill someone.

My own view is - you drink and drive and get caught - 12 months inside - if I had my way that is

as a twice convicted drink driver i sympathise but only this time. don't do it again EVER! i'm on a course now as part of my punishment and i'm learning all about the ins and outs and it's horrible. you'll probably get a fine, a ban and a good old telling off.

If your over the limit. You'll automatically get a ban. expect around 9 months ban min.

Don't let this get you down though.

good luck with police

You'll have to wait and see.

I think the law should be changed to if you drive zero alcohol.

Then everyone would know where they stand.

This should apply in all Europe if not the world..

I still use the rule for pilots: Eight hours from bottle to throttle.