DR10

A DR10 is a United Kingdom motoring endorsement issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and UK Police which means driving or attempting to drive with a blood alcohol level above the allowable limit. Following an arrest for a DR10 one can expect a ban from driving and a fine. In more serious cases, a Community Order, or a prison term of up to 6 months may be imposed.

Drink drive

In the UK drink drive is classified as driving a motor vehicle whilst over 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath (or 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood). The request to take a breathalizer test must be made by a police officer in uniform, but can only be made if one of the following situations apply:

1. the police officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the driver has committed, or is committing a moving traffic offence, or

2. if, having stopped, an officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the person driving/attempting to drive/in charge of the vehicle has consumed alcohol, or

3. the police officer has reasonable cause to believe that the person driving/attempting to drive/in charge of a motor vehicle which was involved in an accident.

Detecting circumstances relating to a DR10

After the officer has established contact with the suspect and suspects a drink drive offense, the officer will ask for a specimen of breath at the road side to verify if the accused is over the described limit. This test is not accurate to be used in court. If the road side reading is above 35 micrograms, the suspect is arrested and taken to the police station.

At the police station the accused will be asked to provide two specimens of breath for analysis (using approved evidential instruments such as the Intoximeter EC/IR; Lion Intoxilyzer; or Camic Datamaster). If the two readings differ, the police rely on the lower reading. If the reading is over the prescribed limit, but is 39 micrograms, a caution is given. If the measurement is between 40 and 50 micrograms, the accused must be offered a blood or urine measurement. The accused has the right to choose, but it is the polices option to choose which is right for the accused. (blood measurement is performed by the police surgeon). If the reading is over 50 micrograms then an offense will have been committed and the accused will be charged accordingly.

The penalty can be a fine, disqualification from driving, unpaid community work, and a prison sentence. If the circumstances leading to the arrest included careless, dangerous or bad driving, or if a new driver (license less than 2 years), then an Extended Re-Test can be ordered. In this case, at the end of the disqualification period, a Provisional license must be obtained and theory and practical tests passed. A court only has the power to impose these punishments.