Could A Drink Driving Offence Destroy My Career?

Drinking and then driving carries such a heavy stigma that you’re not going to get just a slap on the wrist, if you’re caught. And your employers may not take too kindly to it either.

Especially if you need your license to work.

Do You Have To Inform Your Employer of Your Offence?

Not necessarily. You can keep it on the hush-hush, if your contract doesn’t specify a need for your employer to be notified. Always check. And obviously, if your job requires a driver’s license, it’s best if you tell your employer as soon as possible and take the consequences with grace.

Will You Lose Your Job?

Again, it depends on your employment and the terms of your contract. If you were drunk while working behind the wheel, then we expect you’ll be fired and will suffer from extremely poor references. If you’re really worried, contact a driving offence solicitor or lawyer.

Some people rely wholly on their car to get to and from work. You may have to somehow work around this issue or you’ll be physically unable to go to work anyway! In the worst case scenario, assistance and support is available for those who have lost their job.

Will You Lose Your License If You Truly Depend On It?

Usually, drunk driving results in an automatic ban, but it does depend largely on the severity of your offence and your reasons for needing to drive from A to B. It’s always worth explaining to the judge why it’s so important for you to keep your license. You may get a shorter ban.

Will You Have To Tell Professional Associations?

Serious professional associations will want to know about your criminal record, if you’re looking to join, and you’ll be obliged to tell them. If you’re an already existing member, it is unlikely (but possible) that you will get kicked out. They may ask you to join a course for alcohol abuse, as a condition for staying put. Just read the association’s stance on this topic.

Will Drink Driving Show Up On A Background Check?

Many employers do background checks, and in this competitive market, the fact that you’ve erred in the past may count against you. However, after a certain time period, your drunk driving offence will become ‘spent’ and employers should no longer be able to see it, if they request a Basic Disclosure.

If you’re applying for a professional role or working with children, your drunk driving offence will stay with you forever, unfortunately. So address it in your interview, so your potential employer has no nasty surprises.

For bog standard jobs, though, they don’t tend to be too sensitive or concerned about your past driving offences, unless they need you to work on the road. Just make sure that you can get to work safely, while your licence has been taken from you, through public transport or hitching lifts with colleagues.

Get Great Legal Advice

The best way to minimize the damage is to get trustworthy and supportive driving offence lawyers to work alongside you.