SLEEPING in your car may seem like a good way to sober up, but it is not.
Here is everything you need to know about the rules regarding sleeping in your car when drunk.
Is it illegal to sleep in my car when drunk?
It is illegal to be under the influence in your car.
Even if you were not planning to drive, you can still get into trouble if caught dozing off in your parked car.
The same goes if you are found drunk in your car while parked on your property.
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Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, a motorist can be found guilty of the offence if they are "in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit."
How much can I be fined for sleeping in my car when drunk?
In the UK, if you are found guilty of being in control of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit, the penalties can be quite severe.
The fines and other penalties can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and whether it is a first-time or repeat offense.
If you are caught in a vehicle while above the legal limit, you could be hit with a maximum fine of £2,500.
You could also end up being disqualified from driving for at least 12 months.
This period could be longer for repeat offences.
In more serious cases, you could face up to three months in prison.
A conviction will result in a criminal record, which can impact various aspects of your life including employment opportunities.
Given the potential severity of the penalties, it is crucial to avoid being in control of a vehicle while intoxicated and to seek legal advice if you find yourself in such a situation.
Peter Rodger, IAM RoadSmart head of driver advice, told The Sun: "The legal issue is whether there is any likelihood that you might drive.
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"Certainly having or not having the keys in the vehicle would help prove one way or the other, but it may not be conclusive in itself — each case would be judged on its individual circumstances.
"If the keys were still available to the driver, albeit outside the car, it would be an easy example to pose where conviction could still arise, as is the case of some vehicles which don't have ignition keys.
"Having or (more especially) not having the keys is a factor but not always conclusive.
"Whilst a useful rule of thumb is: ‘If you're drunk in the car and you have the keys you are going to be convicted’, the keys aren't really the main point.
"Simple and straightforward advice has always been and remains: don't sleep it off in the car."
What to do if you are drunk and can't get home
Sleeping it off in your car may seem like an easy solution but it could cost you.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are under the influence and can't drive home, it's better to seek alternatives.
You could contact a friend or family member to give you a ride or perhaps use public transport.
Additionally, you could use a taxi to get home safely.
Depending on how much alcohol you have consumed you might need to consider spending the night at a hotel until you sober up.
It's likely that if and when you wake up in your car after a night out, there will still be alcohol in your system and you would most likely be over the limit.