Prescription medications can impair your ability to drive safely by affecting your coordination, reaction times, and judgement. Even if you don’t feel impaired, the medication could still be affecting you.
It’s against the law to drive if you’re unfit due to drugs, including prescription medication. This applies regardless of whether the drugs were prescribed by a doctor. Legal consequences can include fines, licence suspension, and imprisonment.
The effects of prescription drugs vary from person to person, so it’s essential to assess how medication affects you before driving. Factors like dosage and interactions with other substances can influence its impact.
Certain medications, such as sedatives, antidepressants, painkillers, and antihistamines, can increase the risk of accidents and injuries while driving. Combining prescription drugs with alcohol or other substances can worsen these effects.
Driving while taking prescription drugs can put your safety and the safety of others at risk.
What prescription drugs can you not drive on uk?
If you’ve been prescribed any of the following drugs, you should speak to your doctor to find out whether or not you can still drive safely:
- Amphetamine
- Clonazepam
- Diazepam
- Flunitrazepam
- Lorazepam
- Methadone
- Morphine or other opioid-based drugs
- Oxazepam
- Temazepam
Frequently asked questions about prescription drugs
What prescription drugs can impair driving in the UK?
In the UK, prescription drugs like diazepam, morphine, and amphetamine can impair driving. It’s illegal to drive under their influence.
Is it illegal to drive with prescribed drugs in your system?
Yes, it’s illegal to drive with certain prescribed drugs in your system if they impair your driving. This applies in the UK, including England, Scotland, and Wales.
Can I drive after taking diazepam or other benzodiazepines?
You can legally drive after taking diazepam or other benzodiazepines if prescribed and not impaired. Always follow medical advice and dosage instructions.
