Once informed they make you have a short, independent
medical examination, which includes a urine screen for illicit
drugs. If there is only prescribed oral methadone in the urine
they will probably issue you with a licence for one year, but
if you are on injectable methadone they will withdraw your
licence because it is more sedating. You will be called back
for another medical when it needs renewing (or when you
reapply) and every year until three years after your script
has stopped.
Regular users of cannabis will test positive for up to a
month from last use. If the test is cannabis positive they
withdraw the licence for six months. If other illicit drugs are
found they remove the licence for one year. There is
another medical on reapplication for the licence, and every
year for three years, once it has been returned.
It is an offence to be in charge of a vehicle when 'unfit to
drive through drink or drugs' - this includes prescribed ones.
if you do carry on driving on a script, take care and don't
drive if you feel sedated or if you have had any alcohol.
If you are involved in an accident and your insurance
company finds out you are on methadone they could claim
that it invalidates your insurance.
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