Drug driving endorsements have surpassed those received for drink driving for the first time, according to new analysis of DVLA data.
The figures, obtained and analysed by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, show that the number of drug driving offences (DG10s) added to individual licences in 2025 stood at 30,707, a 28% increase on the 23,981 recorded in 2022.
The data for drink driving offences (DR10s) in 2025, meanwhile, stood at 29,769 licence endorsements, a welcome 17% reduction on the 35,976 recorded in 2022.
The figures also suggest young drivers aged 17-24, despite only making up around 6% of all licence holders, received 18% of all drug driving licence endorsements in 2025.
In 2025, the youngest age group (aged 17-19), accumulated more than 1,100 drug driving endorsements, more than double the number (464) recorded for all drivers aged 60 and over.
IAM RoadSmart director of policy and external communications, Nicholas Lyes, said: “It’s becoming clear that the UK is mired in a drug driving epidemic, to the point where it may now be more of a threat on our streets than drink driving. These figures demonstrate the need for radical action to support police forces and reduce harm to all other road users.”
“Educating people about the misconceptions of the impacts that drugs have on a person’s ability to drive is a start, but police should be given powers to suspend licences at the roadside for failing a drug swab test.
“In addition, it’s vital that we establish a national drug drive rehabilitation programme”, said Lyes.
The new drug driving figures come after the Department for Transport (DfT) launched its summer campaign, putting the spotlight on drug driving.
The campaign aims to increase awareness of the risks and legal consequences of drug driving, challenge myths, particularly that certain drugs make people better or safer drivers and encourage people to plan and avoid driving after taking drugs.
