Can you drink alcohol in a motorhome? Our Guide!

Kicking back with a cocktail or a can and letting the stresses of life ebb further away… Having a bit to drink while you’re on holiday is one of the greatest leisure time pleasures. However, for motorhome owners there are some unique challenges involved. UK law is unequivocal – you must not drink and drive – but the motorhome’s dual function as a living space and a vehicle complicates things around alcohol. In this edition of our blog we’ll answer the question: Can you drink alcohol in a motorhome?

The UK’s drink driving laws

According to studies carried out by the DfT (Department for Transport), in 2021 there were 6,740 casualties of all severities resulting from crashes involving drivers over the legal alcohol limit. In other words, injuries of all kinds including 1,880 serious injuries and 240 fatalities. The encouraging news is that in relative terms (ie. there are more vehicles on the road these days) collisions involving drink-driving have fallen by 76% since 1979. There are severe penalties for drink-drivers in UK law, including imprisonment, with the primary offences including:

• Driving or attempting to drive with excess alcohol (exceeding the legal limit).
• Being in charge of a motor vehicle with excess alcohol (exceeding the legal limit).

The first of those two offences is self-explanatory. Driving under the influence of alcohol clearly breaches the law. Driving or attempting to drive while unfit to do so is likely to lead to six months in prison, a fine (unlimited) or a driving ban for a minimum of one year.

Meanwhile, motorhome alcohol laws have a slightly greyer area. The second of those two offences we mentioned is quite concerning for motorhome owners as it can be perceived as having a degree of ambiguity. The term “in charge” lacks a precise legal definition, so each case is dependent on specific circumstances. However, the law is clear. Being intoxicated while ‘in charge of’ a vehicle, whether that vehicle is on a road or in a public place, is a serious offence. The penalties are quite similar to drink-driving. The guidelines set forth by the Government show up to three months’ in prison, up to £2,500 in fines and / or a driving ban.

Drink driving limits

It is extremely difficult to pinpoint exactly how many drinks (ie. shorts, glasses of wine, bottles or pints of beer etc) that the legal alcohol limits for drivers equate to – though it is very low. The effects of alcohol can differ from person to person based on a variety of factors including weight, age, sex and metabolism as well as the type and amount of alcohol being drunk, what the person has recently eaten and even their stress levels.

As a general rule, the very best advice is don’t drive at all if you have drunk any alcohol whatsoever. Here is the government’s guide to legal limits (please bear in mind that Scotland has slightly more strict amounts).

Drinking in your motorhome

The insurance company you got your motorhome cover from should be able to provide you with absolute clarity over the specific details of the regulations surrounding drinking and sleeping in your motorhome. As mentioned previously, the term “in charge” lacks precise legal definition, which makes every case dependent on specific circumstances. You are obligated to prove that there was no likelihood of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Sitting in the driver’s seat with the motorhome’s keys in your hand is risky as it suggests you are intending to drive. Being in bed with the curtains drawn, it seems obvious that you are not intending to drive. However, you would still be required to demonstrate that you had no intention of driving and that you weren’t going to until you were sober.

Remember, it’s not just the night you are drinking that counts. The morning after a heavy drinking session you might still exceed the legal limit. The Morning After drink-drive campaign provides an online calculator so that you can quickly estimate the required time for sobering up. Four cans of average strength lager plus two double gins to ‘finish off’ your session leaves you with a sobering up time of almost 15 hours – so, obviously, the length of time required for alcohol to leave your system is always going to be more than you can guess off the top of your head. Be careful not to underestimate.

Practical steps, in short

If you plan to drink alcohol in your motorhome, these are the practical steps you should stick to:

• Ensure your motorhome is parked securely for the night
• Avoid any risk of having to move it later
• Ensure your motorhome does not obstruct traffic
• Show clear evidence of planning to stay overnight (eg. window covers, steering lock, stabilisers)
• Store the keys in a safe place
• Do not start the engine at all – even to charge batteries
• Keep the keys well away from the ignition
• Avoid sitting in the driving seat, especially if it faces forward

Drinking alcohol in a motorhome, just like drinking it anywhere else, can be a lot of fun. However, you really do have an obligation to be sensible about your situation, and always comply with the law. Do not leave yourself open to legal difficulties.