If you’ve been caught drink driving, it’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed and anxious about what the future holds. Your mind may be racing about the outcome of your case, along with the potential driving ban, fine, and criminal record that could follow.
In the meantime, you may have more urgent questions, such as whether you can drive to work on Monday or continue driving your children home from school.
Caught drink driving and wondering whether you can still drive until court? A charge alone does not impose a ban, but your licence, insurance and any restrictions must be checked.

With a success rate of at least 87%, you could not be in safer hands.
Please call us on 033 03411690 or make a Free Online Enquiry for immediate assistance. All enquiries are completely confidential.
“I had the pleasure of working with Parnell and Peel, and I was blown away by their exceptional abilities in the courtroom. I was facing a difficult legal battle, but the lawyers at Parnell and Peel stepped up to defend me in court. Their expertise and attention to detail was evident throughout the entire process, and they consistently exceeded my expectations. The lawyers at Parnell and Peel were relentless in their pursuit of justice, and their aggressive defence strategy was nothing short of remarkable. I was amazed by their mastery of the law and their ability to navigate the complexities of the legal system. I am incredibly grateful for everything that Parnell and Peel did for me, and I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of a competent and dedicated legal team. They are simply the best at defending their clients in court, and I am confident that they will deliver results for anyone who chooses to work with them.”
Caught Drink Driving: Can I Still Drive Until Court?
Here's everything you need to know about your driving rights in the interim period between being arrested and attending court.
Can I Drive Home From the Police Station?
After being arrested for drink driving, the police will take you back to the station for questioning and will require you to provide another breath test or a blood or urine sample. If charged, you’ll usually be released on bail unless the offence is severe or you’re considered a flight risk.
Do not drive if you may still be impaired or over the legal limit. Release from custody does not confirm that you are safe or legally entitled to drive. Arrange another way home if there is any doubt.
Can I Still Drive While Waiting for the Court Date?
A charge alone does not impose a driving ban. You must still have a valid licence and insurance and comply with any existing disqualification, bail conditions or other restrictions. Ask your solicitor if you are unsure.
Check your insurance terms, employment contract and any professional reporting rules promptly. Some require notification of a charge before any conviction.
When driving during this period, it’s crucial to be extra cautious on the roads, as any further offences could negatively impact your case. It is also advisable to consult a motor offence lawyer to discuss your next steps and potential defences. For example, they may be able to challenge police procedures, question the reliability of testing equipment, or argue special reasons to reduce potential penalties.
What Happens at the Court Appearance?
Your first court appearance is known as a ‘plea hearing’, where you can plead ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ to drink driving. If you plead guilty, the court may sentence you then or arrange a later hearing. A driving ban can take effect immediately, so arrange alternative transport and ask your solicitor what to expect.
If you choose to plead not guilty, the court will set the next steps and, where needed, a trial date. Timings vary. Your entitlement to drive depends on any restrictions, and a conviction may result in an immediate ban.
Need Help with a Drink Driving Case? Speak to Our Experts
If you have a court hearing looming and are worried about losing your licence, don't leave your future to chance. Parnell and Peel’s specialist drink driving solicitors are here to guide you through every step of the process. We have successfully defended 87% of drink driving cases and have the technical know-how to challenge seemingly open and shut cases.
Contact us today by calling 033 03411690 or submitting a free online enquiry. We’ll respond promptly with tailored guidance on your case. All enquiries are confidential, and you are not obligated to proceed with our services.
Why Parnell and Peel Solicitors?
At Parnell and Peel Solicitors, we understand how daunting it is to face a drink driving charge. Going to court is not something most people are used to. Along with this anxiety, there is the worry that your driving record will be tainted with a drink driving conviction or that you could lose your licence. Undoubtedly, this will significantly impact your life and may even result in you losing your job.
If you have recently been charged with a drink driving offence, our solicitors are here to help you. We will use our decades of knowledge and expertise to get the best possible outcome in your case. You might think pleading guilty is your only option, believing there’s no way to avoid a conviction. However, we have the skills to challenge and win seemingly open and shut cases.
Our Results
Our skilled solicitors are experienced in handling motoring complex offences and have an excellent track record. We have successfully defended 87% of the drink driving cases we've handled, with some cases exceeding even this strong success rate, as highlighted below:

Even if you think there is no chance of winning, we know what tactics to use to your advantage.
We've often achieved results far better than our clients anticipated.
We do this because we understand just how important your driving licence is, for you, for your job, career or business, and for your family and friends.
We will do all that we can to help you keep your licence, so please do not delay, call us now on 033 03411690 or make a Free Online Enquiry and let us take the strain from hereon in.
“Wow, words cannot express how happy I am today when I was told the good news by Abdul that my drink drive court case has been dropped. From the very first day I contacted Abdul when I was charged with drink drive offense, he assured me to calm down and that he will do all he can to get me the possible outcome and that is exactly what I had. I will 100% recommend Parnell and Peel Solicitors to you if you find yourself at the wrong side of the law.
Once again, thank you Abdul, Thank you Parnell and Peel Solicitors.”
“These guys are the real deal. Abdul was absolutely excellent in dealing with my drink driving case. We didn’t have a very strong case but thanks to his preparation, perseverance and calm approach in court, the charge was dropped. At times it felt like not much was being done, but rest assured a lot of work was going on behind the scenes. At one point I wasn’t sure about continuing with the case, but Abdul rightly proved that we still had a chance.
In court, Abdul was quick thinking and really dictated the speed and flow of proceedings, taking time to properly consider the argument, put forward and close down the prosecution. Highly recommend.”