Cengolio · Fines · Codes · DR80
DR80 : driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs
Checked 22 July 2026 · How we check our figures
What it means
DR80 is the drug code wearing drink letters: driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drugs, s. 4 RTA 1988, the same section that carries DR20 for drink. It predates the specified limits and still does the work DG10 cannot: any drug, listed or not, if unfitness is proved on the facts. That is also its weakness as a charge, impairment must be shown, which is why the limit code took over the routine cases after 2015. The 11-year conviction clock and the mandatory ban follow the driving pattern.
Points and how long it stays
3 to 11 points.
On the licence for 11 years from the date of conviction.
The drug table is the drink table rebuilt, with a quirk in the naming: DG10, DG40 and DG60 carry the drug prefix, while DR80 and DR90, unfitness through drugs, kept the drink family's letters, which is worth knowing before reading any record. The clocks copy the drink pattern: DG10, DG60 and DR80 stay for 11 years from conviction, DG40 and DR90 run on the ordinary 4-year clock from the offence, or from conviction where a court disqualifies (gov.uk, checked 2026-07-22). Inside the table the real split is the method of proof: DG10 and DG40 work from specified limits, s. 5A RTA 1988, and for the illegal drugs the offence is complete even where the driving was never affected (gov.uk, checked 2026-07-22), with a statutory medical defence where the drug was prescribed and taken as advised; DR80 and DR90 need unfitness proved on the facts, s. 4 RTA 1988, no limit involved. The courtroom mechanics and the ban tables sit in the drink driving guide at /fines/guides/drink-driving.
The usual route
There is no fixed penalty at this end of the table; the charge is heard in person, as the drink driving guide sets out.
If it goes to court
A conviction brings the mandatory ban of at least 12 months, an unlimited fine and custody available (gov.uk, checked 2026-07-22); the courtroom mechanics sit in the drink driving guide.
Read next
Calculator: the code decoder, every code on the official list →
Authority
gov.uk, Penalty points (endorsements), checked 2026-07-22