More than 12,300 motorists caught drug-driving three or more times in the last 11 years

More than 12,300 drivers have been caught drug-driving on at least three separate occasions in the last 11 years – five times the number caught repeat drink-driving over the same period – new RAC analysis of DVLA data shows.* 

A Freedom of Information request submitted by the RAC found that 12,391 drivers have accrued three or more DG10 endorsements for driving or attempting to drive under the influence of drugs above specified legal limits since 2014.This compares to just 2,553 that accrued three or more DR10 or DR20 endorsements – equivalent drink-driving convictions – in this period. Overall, 41,422 licence holders were convicted of drug-driving more than once in the last 11 years.

The analysis, which includes data from the last 11 years – the time in which DG10 endorsements stay on a driver’s record – highlights some stark examples of reoffending. One driver has accumulated 18 separate drug-driving convictions, while another has 17. Several others have between 12 and 14 convictions, and 94 motorists currently have eight drug‑driving offences on their record. In total, 32 drivers have 10 separate DG10 convictions, and 38 have nine. 

The DVLA data shows that 72,662 motorists had at least one DG10 drug-driving conviction on their driving licence. Shockingly, this includes 4,131 drivers who accrued endorsements while holding a provisional licence before they have even passed their test. 

DG10 endorsements are given to motorists caught driving, or attempting to drive, with a controlled drug level above the legal limit. This can include specified limits of prescription medicines such as morphine or diazepam or having certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood. 

Current penalties for drug-driving include driving bans, fines, a criminal record and potential prison time, but the figures analysed by the RAC demonstrate the challenge of effectively preventing reoffending. 

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “While it’s drink-driving that tends to attract most of the headlines in the UK, these figures show just how much of a problem the more ‘under-the-radar’ issue of drug-driving is becoming. Thousands of drivers on the road today have been caught for drug-driving more than once.

“Drug-driving reoffending rates dwarf those of drink-driving, which suggests that current penalties aren’t effective in preventing some drug-drivers from repeating their crimes and putting everyone at risk. Introducing a national drug-driving rehabilitation scheme – similar to what is in place for drink-driving – could also help to drive down reoffending.

“Our analysis highlights some extreme examples, including drivers accumulating up to 18 separate drug-driving convictions, and the fact that more than 4,000 drivers with just a provisional driving licence have accrued DG10 endorsements.

“The Government has committed to tackling this growing problem as part of its road safety strategy – including reviewing the penalties and mandatory training offenders receive, as well as considering new powers to immediately suspend the licences of drivers caught. Other countries such as Australia already routinely use roadside saliva testing of suspected drug-drivers, and we urgently need a similar system in the UK.”

^{* Based on a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA (FOIR12833) in October 2025. The request was ‘As of 20 July 2025, please share the number of DR10 / DR20 endorsements currently on driving records in Great Britain’}

^{** Based on the same Freedom of Information request (FOIR12833). The request was ‘A breakdown showing how many drivers have one DR10 / DR20 endorsement, how many have two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine etc.’}