Drug-driving repeat offenders outnumber drink-driving fivefold
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New analysis reveals more than 12,000 motorists have been caught drug-driving multiple times over the past 11 years, with reoffending rates far higher than drink-driving cases.
More than 12,300 motorists have been caught drug-driving on three or more occasions in the past 11 years. That’s around five times the number of repeat drink-driving offenders over the same period, according to new analysis using DVLA data.
The findings, obtained by the RAC through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, show 12,391 drivers have received at least three DG10 endorsements since 2014.
DG10 penalties are issued when someone is caught driving, or attempting to drive, with controlled drugs above legal limits in their system.
By comparison, 2,553 drivers accumulated three or more drink-driving convictions (DR10 or DR20 endorsements) over the same period.
Overall, the data shows 41,422 licence holders were convicted of drug-driving more than once in the last 11 years.
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Extreme repeat offending cases
The analysis highlights a small number of motorists with exceptionally high levels of repeat offending. One driver was found to have 18 drug-driving convictions, while another had 17. Several others recorded between 12 and 14 offences.
In total, 32 drivers had 10 DG10 convictions, 38 had nine, and 94 motorists currently have eight drug-driving offences on record.
The DVLA data also shows 72,662 drivers had at least one drug-driving conviction, including 4,131 who were penalised while still holding a provisional licence before passing their test.
What DG10 convictions mean
DG10 endorsements are applied when a driver is found to be over the legal limit for specified drugs. This can include illegal substances, but also some prescription medications such as morphine or diazepam when present above permitted thresholds.
Penalties can include driving bans, fines, a criminal record, and in some cases imprisonment.
Here are the number of driving licence holders in Great Britain with DG10 endorsement codes as of 20 July 2025, taken from the FOI request to the DVLA:
| Endorsements | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full licence holders | 53,044 | 11,784 | 2,612 | 684 | 205 | 124 | 37 | 17 | 11 | 13 |
| Provisional licence holders | 3,260 | 668 | 155 | 36 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Others* | 39,946 | 16,579 | 5,078 | 1,941 | 754 | 379 | 145 | 94 | 38 | 56 |
| Totals | 96,250 | 29,031 | 7,845 | 2,661 | 967 | 506 | 182 | 112 | 49 | 69 |
*All other records that have one or more of the specified offence codes such as those that have been disqualified, the licence entitlement has expired and non-GB driving licence holders.
Concerns over repeat offending
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said the figures highlight a growing but under-recognised road safety issue.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The RAC has called for stronger measures, including a national rehabilitation scheme similar to drink-driving programmes, and greater use of roadside drug testing.
The government has previously said it is considering reforms as part of its wider road safety strategy, including tougher penalties and potential powers for immediate licence suspension for offenders.
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