What Is the Offence?
If the police suspect you’ve been drink driving or drug driving, they can ask you to give a breath, blood or urine sample. If you refuse or fail to do so without a good reason, you can be charged with a criminal offence: failing to provide a specimen.
This offence is just as serious as being caught drink driving – and the penalties can be the same.
What Does the Law Say?
The law comes from the Road Traffic Act 1988:
- Section 6 lets police ask for a roadside breath test.
- Section 7 allows police to ask for a specimen (usually breath) at the police station.
- Section 7(6) makes it an offence to refuse or fail to give a sample without a reasonable excuse.
What Counts as “Failing to Provide”?
You can be guilty if you:
- Refuse outright to give a sample,
- Don’t blow into the breath machine properly,
- Delay or avoid giving a sample on purpose.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a breath, blood or urine sample – the law applies to all three.
What Is a Reasonable Excuse?
You won’t be guilty if you had a reasonable excuse – but the courts take a strict view.
Good excuses may include:
- A serious asthma attack or lung condition,
- Mental health problems that make it hard to understand or cooperate,
- A real phobia of needles (for blood samples),
- Recent chest surgery or respiratory failure.
You’ll usually need medical proof (like a doctor’s letter or expert report) to support your excuse.
Example Case:
DPP v Green (2004) – The driver claimed asthma stopped him blowing into the machine. The court said he needed medical evidence. Without it, the excuse didn’t hold up.
What if the Police Didn’t Follow the Rules?
Police must:
- Have proper grounds to arrest you (like evidence of driving),
- Give you a clear warning that refusal is a criminal offence,
- Follow the right procedure when asking for the sample.
If they don’t, your solicitor might argue that the charge should be thrown out.
Example Case:
McCormick v DPP (1993) – The police had no proof the person had been driving. The court ruled they shouldn’t have asked for a specimen in the first place, so the charge didn’t stand.
What Are the Penalties?
If you’re found guilty, you face serious consequences:
First Offence:
- At least 12 months driving ban (this is automatic),
- A fine (often based on your income),
- Community service or a curfew in more serious cases,
- Up to 6 months in prison in the worst cases.
If You’ve Been Convicted Before:
- At least 3 years driving ban (if a similar offence was within the last 10 years),
- Much more likely to face prison time.
Real-Life Example:
R v Gibson (1982) – A driver refused a blood test because of a serious needle phobia. The court said this can be a valid excuse – but only if it’s genuine and backed by evidence.
What Should You Do If You’re Charged?
- Don’t panic – get legal advice right away.
- Gather any medical records or witness statements if you were unwell.
- Your solicitor can look at whether the police followed proper procedure.
Even if you did refuse, your lawyer may be able to argue for a less severe penalty depending on the circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Failing to provide a breath sample is a serious offence, and courts treat it like drink driving. But there are some valid defences – especially if you were unwell or confused at the time.
If you’re facing this charge, speak to a specialist motoring solicitor as soon as possible. They can help protect your licence – and possibly your freedom.