What's Changing
Nothing in the law, but it's easy to miss. GOV.UK counts prescription and over-the-counter medicines as legal drugs, and it's illegal to drive with legal drugs in your body if they impair your driving.
There are two separate offences. One is driving when you're unfit through drugs, legal or illegal, which goes on your licence as DR80. The other is driving with a drug level above the specified limit, which is DG10.
Police can use a roadside drug kit, but it only screens for cannabis and cocaine. If they think you're unfit to drive because of drugs, you'll be arrested and have to take a blood or urine test at a police station.
If one of these codes is already on your licence, here's how car insurance for drivers with convictions works.
Unfit Through Drugs Or Over The Limit?
The two drug-driving offences, and where legal medicines fit.
| DR80Unfit to drive through drugs | DG10Drug level above the specified limit | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Driving when you're unfit because of legal or illegal drugs | Driving with a drug level above the specified limit |
| Legal medicines | Count if they make you unfit, prescribed or not | Allowed above the limit if prescribed, taken as advised and not making you unfit |
| Points | 3 to 11 | 3 to 11 |
| Northern Ireland | You could still be arrested if you're unfit | The specified-limit law doesn't cover it |
From GOV.UK: Drugs and driving: the law, and GOV.UK: Endorsement codes and penalty points, checked 28 October 2026.
When It Starts And Who It Affects
It applies now. These rules are already in force, so there's no start date to wait for.
GOV.UK lists prescription drugs to talk to your doctor about before you drive. They include:
- diazepam, lorazepam, temazepam, clonazepam, oxazepam and flunitrazepam
- morphine or opioid-based drugs, such as codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
- methadone and amphetamine
You can drive on these if they were prescribed, you take them as a healthcare professional advised, and they aren't making you unfit to drive. That holds even if you're above the specified limits.
Northern Ireland is different. The specified-limit law doesn't cover it, but you could still be arrested there if you're unfit to drive.
What It Means For Your Car Insurance
A conviction can follow you for years. The penalties for drug driving include a minimum 1 year driving ban, and your licence will show the conviction for 11 years.
GOV.UK says your car insurance costs will increase significantly after a drug-driving conviction. How much varies between insurers, and there's no reliable typical figure, so ask your insurer what they need to know and when.
DR80 and DG10 both carry 3 to 11 points. If you're quoting after either one, see how insurance after a drug-driving conviction works.
What To Do Now
- Ask if you're not sure. If you're taking a medicine and don't know whether you should drive, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or another healthcare professional.
- Take it as directed. The medical defence to the over-the-limit offence depends on you taking the drug as the person who prescribed or supplied it told you.
- Do not drive if you feel unfit. Having a prescription doesn't make it legal to drive when a medicine is impairing your driving.
- Tell your insurer about a conviction if you're asked. If you already have a DR80 or DG10, here's how convictions affect car insurance.
You can compare convicted driver insurance quotes when you're ready.
FAQs
Can I Fail A Roadside Drug Test On Prescription Medicine?
Not on the roadside kit itself. GOV.UK says the kits screen for cannabis and cocaine. But if police think a medicine has made you unfit to drive, you'll be arrested and have to take a blood or urine test at a police station.
Is It Legal To Drive On Codeine Or Diazepam?
It can be. You can drive if it was prescribed, you take it as a healthcare professional advised and it isn't making you unfit to drive. It's illegal if it impairs your driving, prescription or not.
How Long Does A Drug-Driving Conviction Stay On My Licence?
For 11 years. GOV.UK says your licence will show a drug-driving conviction for 11 years, and that your car insurance costs will increase significantly. Ask your insurer what they need to know.
