Offence
In charge of vehicle whilst unfit through drink
How often this offence appears in the published court listings for England and Wales, which courts list it most and where to read the official sentencing guideline.
- Hearings listed
- 170
- Upcoming hearings
- 6
- Next listed date
- Mon, 26 October 2026
- Courts listing it
- 82
- Heard in
- Magistrates' Court (170)
- Sentencing guideline
- Unfit through drink or drugs (in charge) (Revised 2017)
- Official offence code
- RT88347
- The law
- Contrary to section 4(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
- Can lead to prison
- Yes
Courts that list it most
- Teesside Magistrates' Court (10 hearings)
- Bristol Magistrates' Court (7 hearings)
- Birmingham Magistrates' Court (6 hearings)
- Hastings Magistrates' Court (6 hearings)
- Manchester Magistrates' Court (6 hearings)
- Brighton Magistrates' Court (5 hearings)
- Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court (5 hearings)
- North Somerset Magistrates' Court (5 hearings)
- Nottingham Magistrates' Court (5 hearings)
- South Tyneside Magistrates' Court (5 hearings)
- Dudley Magistrates' Court (4 hearings)
- Lincoln Magistrates' Court (4 hearings)
- Newcastle upon Tyne Crown Court and Magistrates' Court (4 hearings)
- Sheffield Magistrates' Court (4 hearings)
- Leeds District Magistrates' Court (3 hearings)
Related offences
- In charge of vehicle whilst unfit through drugs
- Drive whilst unfit through drink
- Drive a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs
- Use a motor vehicle on a road when there was insufficient transmission of light through the vehicle glass
- In charge of motor vehicle - alcohol level above limit
- Keep a vehicle without a valid vehicle licence
- Drive on a road a motor vehicle whilst not wearing a seat belt
- Driver of a vehicle fail to stop after road accident - give name and address of self and owner / vehicle details