DR90 : in charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs

Checked 22 July 2026 · How we check our figures

What it means

DR90 completes the square: in charge while unfit through drugs, s. 4(2) RTA 1988, the drug mirror of DR50. Unfitness must be proved on the facts, no specified limit helps the prosecution here, and the statutory exit is the same, no likelihood of driving while unfit, s. 4(3). The 10 points sit on the 4-year clock, ban at the court's discretion, and like every in-charge 10 it leaves one small code between the entry and a totting hearing.

Points and how long it stays

10 points.

On the licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.

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

The in-charge scale, up to 3 months and a level 4 fine with a discretionary ban; the shape follows DR50, with drugs in place of drink.

Authority

gov.uk, Penalty points (endorsements), checked 2026-07-22

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