Drug Driving Test UK

UK Drug Driving Test  

Increase in the number of charges being brought by UK police for drug driving 

According to research conducted by website confused.com, there has been a marked increase in the number of charges being brought by the police against UK drivers for drug driving (driving while under the influence of drugs ) since the introduction of the roadside drug test known as the drugalyser in 2015.

Police drug test UK

The UK police now use a screening drug test called a drugalyser . This tests an oral fluid sample ( saliva ) for the presence of drugs, and gives a result at the roadside.

Buy oral drug testing kits to test for same drugs as police roadside drug test


See our full range of oral fluid saliva drug testing kits

Changes to the drug driving law in the UK occurred in March 2015 & allowed the use of roadside drug drive test kits by the police

The UK government brought new legislation into effect on 2nd March 2015 which allows the police to perform roadside drug testing using a roadside oral saliva drug testing kits or 'drugalyser' called Drugwipe.

Which drugs are tested for on UK police roadside drug test?

Initially, the UK police will be using the roadside tests to screen for Cannabis and Cocaine. If they suspect other drugs have been used they may take the driver to the police station for further tests.

A positive result on the police roadside drug test will result in the driver being taken to the police station for a blood test.


The drugs that may be tested for under the drug driving law include:

  • Cannabis
  • Cocaine
  • Ecstasy
  • Ketamine
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Methadone
  • Morphine or opiates.

Are prescription drugs covered under the roadside drug test?

The following prescription drugs known as Benzodiazepines will also be covered under the new rules: 

  • Clonazepam
  • Diazepam
  • Flunitrazepam (also known as Rohypnol)
  • Lorazepam
  • Oxazepam
  • Temazepam

Can you buy drug driving test kits?

The ALLTEST 6 Drug Saliva Drug Testing Kit DSD-867 MTD screens for the following drugs: Cannabis, Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamine, Methadone, Benzodiazepine and is a good choice if you wish to screen for the drugs tested for on the UK police roadside drug test.

Click here to buy drug testing kits that will screen for the drug driving test drugs

We also have a direct saliva version of the roadside drugs test kit which also screens for the same drugs.

Detection times for drugs on roadside drug test

  • Drugs are detected in saliva for up to a maximum of 72 hours after last use although many drugs including Cannabis are cleared much more quickly.
  • Cannabis is usually only detectable in saliva for up to 12 hours since last use and often in practice a much shorter time
  • The advantage of saliva drug screening for roadside drug testing is that it looks for active impairment, as it mainly detects drugs that have been consumed within hours of the drug test being performed rather than days.

Cut off levels illegal drugs for confirmation laboratory tests (not roadside test kits)

It is an offence in the UK to drive with any illegal drugs above a specified level in your blood even if they haven’t affected your driving ability. It is also an offence if you’re unfit to drive because you’re on legal or illegal drugs (including prescription drugs) below guides are laboratory confirmation levels.

  • Cocaine (Benzoylecgonine) 10 micrograms per litre
  • Cannabis limit 2 micrograms per litre
  • LSD 1 micrograms per litre
  • Ketamine 20 micrograms per litre
  • MDMA, ecstasy and crystal meth having 10 micrograms per litre
  • Heroin 5 micrograms per litre

Cut off levels for prescription drugs

The cut-off levels for most prescription drugs are above the normal dose of the drug.

Drug driving Cannabis limits UK

The UK drug-driving limits are set so that passive inhalation of Cannabis will not cause a driver to be over the legal limit, but being 'under the influence of drugs' while driving will give a positive result.