Cost of roadside drug tests

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/26/004862/Q

Version Date: 28/07/2026

What is the cost to your Authority for administering roadside Drug-impairment tests, specifically Field Impairment Tests, under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and drug driving testing under section 5A of the Road Traffic Act
1988 in the last full financial year, and in that year, what the cost was to your authority of processing those tests.

The Southwest Regional Forensics Department has provided the following information:

Please note that there is no cost associated with Field Impairment Tests, however, the following information is the total cost in 2025/26 to process toxicology submissions of blood/urine samples following a failed Field Impairment Test, in relation to Section 4 and 5a of the Road Traffic Act.

Total: £82,260.72.