Drug driving offences overtake drink driving for the first time

• Drug driving endorsements in the UK exceeded 30,000 for the first time in 2025, surpassing the 29,769 recorded for the equivalent drink drive offence.
• Drivers aged 17-24 account for almost a fifth (18%) of drug driving offences.

The number of drivers receiving endorsements on their licence for drug driving has overtaken those receiving the corresponding drink drive offence according to worrying new figures.

DVLA data obtained and analysed by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart* shows that the number of drug driving offences (DG10s) added to individual licences in 2025 stood at 30,707, a sizeable 28% increase on the 23,981 recorded in 2022. Meanwhile the figures for drink driving offences (DR10s) in 2025 stood at 29,769 licence endorsements, a welcome 17% reduction on the 35,976 recorded in 2022.

The figures also suggest young drivers aged 17-24, despite only making up around 6% of all licence holders^, received 18% of all drug driving licence endorsements in 2025, showing the scale of the problem among new drivers. In 2025, the youngest age group (aged 17-19), accumulated more than 1,100 drug driving endorsements, more than double the number (464) recorded for all drivers aged 60 and over.

The findings will add weight to some police officer views that drug driving has now overtaken drink driving in terms of prevalence**. Previous research published in January 2025 by IAM RoadSmart showed that roadside drugs testing conducted by police were returning a 50% positivity rate***, far higher than the 16% recorded for drink drive tests. Separate research found that nearly half of drug-drive offences (44%) are committed by a reoffender, according to Government data.

Impairment by drugs as a contributory factor in a collision resulted in 149 fatalities in 2023, significantly higher than the 78 recorded in 2015. It’s illegal to drive if either you’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal or illegal drugs or if you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood (even if they have not affected your driving).

It’s also illegal in England, Scotland and Wales to drive with legal (prescription) drugs in your body if it impairs your driving. Penalties may include a minimum 1-year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison and a criminal record. Drug driving endorsements also remain on a licence for 11 years. The maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving under the influence of drugs is life imprisonment.

Police forces have more tools at their disposal now, with roadside swab tests able to confirm if a suspect is driving under the influence of cannabis or cocaine. Suspects are then required to provide a blood test, though delays in the laboratory testing means these individuals can still drive pending the results which can take several months.

In May 2026**** two forces (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Thames Valley Police) began trialling the world’s first Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) breathalyser as forces fight on all fronts to curb the dangers of drug driving.

The findings have led to calls for radical action to curb the growth of drug driving, including a rehabilitation scheme, similar to what is already provided to convicted drink drivers*****.

IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and External Communications, Nicholas Lyes said:

“It’s becoming clear that the UK is mired in a drug driving epidemic, to the point where it may now be more of a threat on our streets than drink driving. These figures demonstrate the need for radical action to support police forces and reduce harm to all other road users.

“The UK Government’s road safety strategy clearly outlines the intention to tackle drug driving, but we need to start seeing action soon before more lives are needlessly lost.

“Educating people about the misconceptions of the impacts that drugs have on a person’s ability to drive is a start, but police should be given powers to suspend licences at the roadside for failing a drug swab test. In addition, it’s vital that we establish a national drug drive rehabilitation programme. Research has consistently shown similar courses can prevent drink drive reoffending and there’s every reason to believe a similar approach would reduce drug driving, change behaviour, and benefit road safety.

“Drug driving ruins lives and unless we start approaching the issue with the seriousness that it merits, we risk allowing a public safety crisis to worsen.”

ENDS

^ https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-a-minimum-learning-period-for-learner-drivers/introducing-a-minimum-learning-period-for-learner-drivers-category-b-driving-licence

* Source: Freedom of Information (FOI) request to DVLA – DR10s and DG10 licence endorsements

**https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bus... than half (51%) of drivers tested positive during roadside testing in 2023, while in 2024, 49% of drivers tested positive in the first 7 months of the year. https://media.iamroadsmart.com/pressreleases/one-in-two-motorists-pulled-over-on-suspicion-of-drug-driving-fail-roadside-drug-tests-as-number-of-fatalities-rises-3364798

**** https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3r24qpezvzo

***** https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses-services/for-individuals/drink-drive-rehabilitation-course/