Drink Driving Second Offence

Being charged with drink driving as a second offence carries significant consequences. If you are convicted of drink driving for a second time in the space of ten years, you will receive a three-year driving ban as a minimum, as well as other potential punishments depending on the circumstances of the offence.

At JD Spicer Zeb, our highly experienced driving offence solicitors have over 45 years of experience in defending individuals facing accusations of drink driving, including scenarios where they have already received a previous conviction. We are aware of how serious a second conviction is and how significant an impact it could have on your life.

Our primary objective is to help you avoid a second conviction for drink driving wherever possible. If that cannot be achieved, we will work to minimise any penalties through strong mitigation. In appropriate cases, we may be able to help you secure a more lenient outcome.

Our highly experienced drink driving solicitors provide:

24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
Representation anywhere in England and Wales
Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)

Speak to our drink driving second offence solicitors today

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options when defending a drink driving second offence, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding drink driving, please call our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556.

Why choose our second time drink driving offence solicitors?

We have a dedicated team of specialist motoring offence solicitors with extensive expertise in supporting individuals who are accused of committing a second drink driving offence.

With over 45 years of experience in handling a wide variety of cases, we know exactly how these types of offences are prosecuted and what will be required to build the strongest possible defence. We will carefully scrutinise the evidence used by the prosecution, and instruct expert witnesses where needed to support your defence.

If you are arrested for a drink driving offence, our accredited police station representatives can provide 24/7 support and representation. Should your case proceed to court, you can rest assured that we work alongside some of the UK’s leading criminal defence barristers, ensuring you have the strongest possible defence.

We are recognised by the Law Society for our expertise in Criminal Litigation , and we hold the Lexcel quality mark for excellence in legal practice.

Our expertise with second time drink driving offences

Representation at police stations

If you are arrested for a second drink driving offence, it is essential that you instruct legal support before you answer any questions from the police.

Anything said to the police during an interview could significantly impact the way your case is handled and the final outcome.

Our police station solicitors and accredited representatives are available 24 hours a day to offer clear and reliable legal advice and representation.

We have experience working with clients who are facing allegations of drink driving, including those who are facing a charge for the second time.

Pre-charge bail and released under investigation

It is common to be released on either pre-charge bail or under investigation after an arrest. To ensure you understand your rights and what this could mean for your case, it is important that you speak to our specialist solicitors as soon as possible. Being released on bail or under investigation does not mean the matter is over by any means.

In the case of pre-charge bail, you may also be subject to certain bail conditions, such as having to attend the police station at certain intervals or being prevented from leaving the country.

We can carefully assess your situation and provide detailed guidance on your legal position, advising you on the likely next steps so that you are properly informed.

To find out more in relation to pre-charge bail and release under investigation, please use the links provided below:

Penalty mitigation

When supporting an individual charged with a second driving offence, our first priority is to explore whether charges can be dropped. However, where this is not possible, we will take every step to ensure penalties are mitigated as far as possible.

If you are being convicted of drink driving for the second time within a ten year period, there is a mandatory minimum driving ban of three years. However, further penalties could also apply, which highlights the importance of seeking specialist legal advice.

We will build a comprehensive case, presenting any relevant personal circumstances or other evidence to help minimise the potential impact you could face for a second drink driving conviction.

Legal representation and defence

If you are facing prosecution for a second drink driving offence, our expert team will make sure that you have the strongest possible defence from the start of your case. We will guide you through every aspect of the legal process, clearly explaining your rights, the evidence against you, and your available options.

Whether your case is heard in the Magistrates’ Court or escalates beyond this, our priority remains the same: to offer clear, strategic advice which helps you secure the best available outcome for your case.

If your case proceeds to trial, we work with some of the UK’s leading criminal defence barristers to ensure that you have access to the highest level of representation.

Fees and funding

When dealing with fees and funding, our drink driving solicitors will always be clear and upfront about your options.

Legal Aid may be available in some cases, but this depends on the seriousness of the case and whether it will justify the grant of public funding.

To find out more about the way we handle fees (both Legal Aid and private fees), please use the links provided below:

Related offences

We also provide support and guidance on various other matters that are related to drink driving as a second offence, including:

Related cases

Application To Remove Driving Disqualification Early - Thames Magistrates Court

Common questions about second offences of drink driving

What happens if you get caught drink driving twice?

If you are being charged with drink driving for a second time, the main difference to the way your case will be handled centres around the potential punishments you could face.

Punishments for second drink driving offences are more serious than for first-time drink driving offences, and it is notable that you will receive a mandatory minimum three-year driving ban if your second conviction is within 10 years of your first.

Other punishments, such as fines and prison sentences, are also likely to be much harsher for second-time drink driving offenders, as discussed below.

What is the penalty for a second drink driving offence?

You will firstly receive a mandatory minimum three-year driving ban if your second drink driving offence was within 10 years of your first.

The court will treat previous convictions for drink driving offences as an aggravating factor when making a decision on the other sentences that will be handed out upon conviction. This could include an extension on the driving ban beyond the minimum three years, an unlimited fine, or a prison sentence of up to six months.

Can you avoid the mandatory three year driving ban?

Avoiding the mandatory three year driving ban is only possible if you are able to avoid conviction or raise a special reason.

Special reason hearings may take place where there are exceptional circumstances which caused the offence of drink driving to take place. Examples of special reasons could include:

Your drink was laced or spiked, leading to a driving offence
There was an emergency situation

Successfully putting forward a special reason can be incredibly challenging, which necessitates the need for specialist legal advice and representation.

What happens if you get caught drink driving three times?

If you are caught drink driving for a third time, the chances of receiving more serious punishments increase even further, including the potential of a prison sentence.

Can you go to prison for drink driving two or three times?

Yes, it is possible to receive a prison sentence for being convicted of drink driving two or three times within a ten year period.

Can I get the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course (DDRC) for a second time?

The courts may consider offering an offender the opportunity to attend a second Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course (DDRC) for a second time if it considers there are good reasons to do so.

Contact our drink driving solicitors now

If you are due to attend the police station for interview, have been accused of a second drink driving offence, or require any urgent specialist advice or immediate representation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of drink driving solicitors in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
City of London: 0207 624 7771, our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for second drink driving offences

Please contact us for a free initial consultation with one of our drink driving solicitors for immediate advice and representation.

For urgent representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556, and we will provide you with the assistance you need.

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