Drunk in Charge of a Vehicle

Drunk in Charge Offences

If you have your car keys on you and you are over the limit then you can be charged with being drunk in charge. This means that even if you have good intentions and don’t intend to drive while drunk, by sleeping in your car in a car park until you are below the legal alcohol limit again.

You can be charged with; being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit, in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink and failing to provide a specimen in circumstances other than when driving or attempting to drive a vehicle.

In Charge of a Vehicle

If you have the keys on your person, then you are considered to be in charge of the vehicle and are liable for 10 points, up to £2,500 fine and a possible ban for 12 to 36 months.

In Charge While Unfit Through Drink

For this offence you may not have been stopped of have supplied a specimen, but the police for whatever reason had reasonable grounds to suspect that you had been drinking, and were in charge of a vehicle.

Failing To Provide a Specimen

Even if you are not stopped while driving, you are still required by law to provide a specimen on request, even for offences other than driving or attempting to drive.

These being drunk in charge offences are considered serious by the courts so shouldn’t be taken lightly.