What is the fine for drink driving in the UK?

THERE'S a reason that you're always supposed to take a designated driver with you on a night out.

If you've had too much to drink, then you'll become a danger behind the wheel. But what is the fine for drinking and driving?

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How are drink-driving fines calculated?

Drink driving fines are calculated according to your salary.

A driver caught under the influence must pay a certain percentage of their weekly income.

Magistrates do this to ensure that everyone is fined fairly - otherwise someone who is extremely rich could potentially not worry about the cost of being caught.

There are six income bands that a driver will fit into.

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The bands are:

• Band A: 50% of relevant weekly income
• Band B: 100% of relevant weekly income
• Band C: 150% of relevant weekly income
• Band D: 250% of relevant weekly income
• Band E: 400% of relevant weekly income
• Band F: 600% of relevant weekly income

What's the average fine?

There is no average fine, since the fines are calculated on a case-by-case basis.

However, Band C is the fine that is given out the most.

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Driving and being over three times the legal limit will result in a fine above Band D and custodial sentencing.

In some circumstances, drivers can join a rehab course in order to have their penalty slashed.

What are the drink-drive penalties?

Drink-drive penalties exist to ensure that people drive safely.

There are several penalties that can be imposed in order to curb someone's dangerous driving.

These range from a 14 year prison sentence if drink driving results in someone's death to three months imprisonment if  you are in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit.

Often, you can be banned from driving and will have to face an enhanced, more difficult driving test in order to get back on the road.

What's the maximum you'd have to pay?

The highest charge someone can pay for being behind the wheel, while under the influence, depends on what they were doing.

If the police catch you driving whilst drunk, then you will face an unlimited fine and could be jailed.

On the other hand, if you are in charge of the car (behind the wheel, but not driving), then the fine is capped at £2,500 but there may be additional penalties.

What is the drink-driving limit in the UK?

The drink-driving limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is:

• 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
• 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood
• 107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine

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The limit is much stricter in Scotland, with drivers having to below 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Here are the figures for Scotland:

• 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; or
• 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood; or
• 67 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine