Penalty for First-Time Drink Driving Offence in Ireland: 2025 Guide

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Meta description (Wondering what the penalty is for a first-time drink driving offence in Ireland? Find out the fines, disqualification period, and what factors affect sentencing)

If you’ve been caught drink driving in Ireland for the first time, you’re probably worried about what happens next.

The penalty for first-time drink driving offence in Ireland depends on how much alcohol was in your system when you were tested.

Below, we’ll break down the current legal limits, fines, mandatory disqualification, and whether first-time offenders might get any leniency.

The Legal Alcohol Limits in Ireland

In Ireland, the legal alcohol limit for drivers depends on the type of licence you hold:

• Full licence holders:

  • 50 milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood

  • 67 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of urine

  • 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath

    
    

• Learner, novice, and professional drivers (e.g., taxi, bus, HGV drivers):

  • 20 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood

  • 27 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of urine

  • 9 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath

  • 
    

If you’re found above these limits, you face penalties—even if it’s your first time.

"Even as a first-time offender,

you are legally required to be disqualified

from driving if convicted,

and there’s no “slap on the wrist”

or probation option"

What Is the Penalty for First-Time Drink Driving Offence in Ireland?

The penalty for first-time drink driving offence in Ireland depends mainly on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at the time of the test. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Lower-level offence (between 50mg and 80mg BAC for full licence holders)

·       €200 fine

·       3-month disqualification from driving

·       No court appearance if you accept a fixed charge penalty notice (FCPN).

If you’re under 50mg, you won’t face a drink driving charge.

But if you’re between 50mg and 80mg and hold a full licence, you may be offered a fixed penalty notice instead of going to court.

This means you can accept the penalty and avoid a conviction on your record.

2. Mid-Level offence (between 80mg and 100mg BAC for full licence holders)

·       €400 fine.

·       6-month disqualification.

·       No court appearance if you accept the FCPN.

3. Higher-level offences (over 100mg BAC or lower thresholds for novice/pro drivers)

If your BAC is higher, or if you’re a learner, novice, or professional driver above 20mg, the penalties increase:

·       Mandatory court appearance

·       Disqualification from driving for at least 2 years (can increase depending on BAC)

·       Fine of €700 (on average; this can reach €5,000 in exceptional cases)

·       Possible prison sentence (up to 6 months, though rarely imposed for first-timers)

The judge must disqualify you for at least the minimum period set by law. There’s no option for penalty points or a reduced ban under these thresholds.

And no, you don’t get an option to pay a hefty ‘fine’ or “make a donation to the poor box” (I get asked this a lot) to avoid a conviction.

Is There Any Leniency for First-Time Drink Driving Offenders?

Unfortunately, Irish drink driving laws are strict, even for first-time offenders.

Judges have no discretion to waive or shorten the minimum disqualification once the legal limit is exceeded and you have been convicted.

However:

• If your BAC is between 50mg and 100mg (full licence holders), accepting a fixed penalty means no criminal conviction—this is the closest thing to leniency.

• At higher BAC levels, the law requires disqualification, but a judge may be sympathetic in sentencing if you have strong mitigating factors (such as very low readings above the threshold, personal hardship, or good character).

However, the disqualification period cannot go below the statutory minimum.

Final Thoughts: Know the Penalty for First-Time Drink Driving Offence in Ireland

To sum up, the penalty for first-time drink driving offence in Ireland ranges from a €200 fine and 3-month disqualification (for lower readings) to heavier fines, longer bans, and a court conviction for higher readings.

"If you know that you will be disqualified

if you’re convicted,

then it makes very good sense

to make sure that this doesn’t happen"

Even as a first-time offender, you are legally required to be disqualified from driving if convicted, and there’s no “slap on the wrist” or probation option.

If you’ve been charged, it’s important to get legal advice early—you may have defences or procedural issues that could affect your case.

Now that you know all that what can we deduce?

Well, if you know that you will be disqualified if you’re convicted, then it makes very good sense to try to make sure that this doesn’t happen.

And how do you do that?

By speaking with a lawyer who knows this area well.

After all, it might make the difference between going off the road or driving home.