If you’ve been caught drink-driving, it’s important to know how long the conviction stays on your licence and the penalties associated with it.

It can be tough to know the punishments for drink driving, as there are various levels of penalties. Reckless and dangerous driving, for example, stays on your license for 4 years. So, how long does drink driving stay on your licence for?

Length of Drink Driving Penalty

• A drunk driving or drug driving appears on your record as a DR10, DR20, DR30, DR31, DR61 and DR80. These endorsements stay on your licence for 11 years.

• If you have been the cause of death due to drink or drug driving, then this appears on your licence as a CD40, CD50 and a CD60 and will stay on your licence for 11 years.

• The final kind of conviction you can obtain in relation to drunk driving is a C70, which is causing death by careless driving and then failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

How do I get drink driving removed from my licence?

The endorsement should be removed automatically after 11 years. If you get this mark on your driver’s licence, it can affect many areas of your life, including getting a job.

Is there anything that can extend the length of drink driving offence?

A court can decide that your offence is more serious than usual for several reasons. Suppose your alcohol levels exceed 1,166 ug on the breathalyser test, for example. In that case, you are deemed to be at dangerous levels of alcohol consumption, and it can result in a prison sentence.

It is also considered to be a serious offence to have children in the car with you if you have been drink driving, so this can also affect the punishment you are given.

If your alcohol levels are 86 ug on a breathalyser or below, then you could get community service or a curfew, as well as an 11-year mark on your driving record.

If you have a drink-driving conviction, Insurance Revolution can help you find a policy to suit your needs. See more info on our drink-driver insurance.