Sleeping in your car after a few beers (not getting smashed!) Am I breaking the law?

[Rhys Llewellyn]

So I'm really only after answers from people from the UK, specifically England.... But also curious on other laws around the world, why not...

I'm planning on driving up to see someone quite far away... Wanna have a few beers when I get there, nothing major, but also can't stay at her place... No point in a hotel 'cos I plan to be on the road early, but fully sober...

I keep hearing that being in possession of your car keys is enough to be prosecuted for drink driving. Is this really true? If I'm curled up in the back of my car in somewhere legal to park, surely it's clear my intent isn't to drive!

Can anyone please confirm or quash this myth please?

 

[JeffTD]

Possession of car keys while drunk and in the car is a DUI in California, at least.

I used to keep pillows and a blanket in the back of my car. I wish it was for getting laid, it was really just so I could get blasted and sleep it off before driving home.

 

[Rhys Llewellyn]

Possession of car keys while drunk and in the car is a DUI in California, at least.

I used to keep pillows and a blanket in the back of my car. I wish it was for getting laid, it was really just so I could get blasted and sleep it off before driving home.

That's what I've been hearing a lot from Googling, although nothing specific to the UK and no true authority on the situation, but so long as they can't find your keys, you're fine then?

 

[JeffTD]

Condoms + butthole = safety.

 

[Rhys Llewellyn]

Condoms + butthole = safety.

Hahaha.

I was planning on hiding them somewhere safe and secure, ideally in the surrounding areas but let's be honest, not gonna lose them or have them stolen up there!

The only downside is it's my Dad's fancy Merc and it's a rather fat key with lots of buttons on it!

 

[Empathy]

The only downside is it's my Dad's fancy Merc and it's a rather fat key with lots of buttons on it!

Better add lube to that equation then. Ribbed for your pleasure!

Butt seriously (lol) - chuck them in the spare wheel compartment or under the wheel arch or something like that. Cops won't be dick enough to book you for it if you're sound asleep in your car with your keys well out of easy reach.

 

[Plankis]

Reminds me of this:


I've done this a cold winter night once. Worst idea ever haha. Hungover, tired, legs hurting because I couldn't stretch out AND freezing is not a good combo.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I've done it before, can't really imagine the filth wasting their time on something like that.

 

[DeclanWhite]

if you make yourself hidden enough, you can get away with not even being seen. surely they'd not go to that effort anyways..

 

[if6was9]

I'd vote for hiding them under the wheel arch. No way they can book you if the keys aren't in the car. Not a judge anywhere that'd let that go through.

I don't own a car, but if I did I would be doing this all the time!

Off topic but, it's insanely expensive to own/run a car in Ireland. I really, really need to drive and have a license but there's no way I could afford it- tax (500ish a year), insurance( 1-2 grand a year), NCT every year meaning your car has to pass a thorough mechanics test which you pay for and then fuel - 1.50€ a litre. It's mad expensive

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

One more completely useless answer to your questions since I have no idea about the UK, but around here, if you're sleeping in the driver's seat it's instant DUI, a hefty fine and a minimum of 6 months of license suspension AFAIK, and if the cops see you, they'll definitely come knocking on the window. If you're curled up in the back seat, it shouldn't be a problem. I've done that before a couple of times when I've been out with friends and we haven't had a place to crash.

 

[CubanDude]

It's illegal in Germany (having your keys and sleeping drunk in your car).

 

[kev]

I had to do it at raves before, put the back seats down and away you go. Cops dont usually patrol farmers fields though. I cant imagine they'd be able to see in either, it will get misty quick. Especially if you get lucky on your travels

P.S

Having car keys on you whilst drunk isnt going to be an offence in the UK, i find it ridiculous that it could be anywhere in the world.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Here in Pennsylvania it's illegal to sleep in the car after drinking, as far as I know, the keys being in the car/on the person....I'm not too sure about.

 

[Boerboel666]

Illegal for sure in the UK .
Its easy to see why otherwise every potential DUI would just say I was only starting the engine to heat the car as I want to sleep in it ... etc
The Old Bill will do you so be careful .

 

[greyskull]

It is Definitely Illegal. Possessing the keys, and being in the vehicle under the influence counts as DUI. Especially if Some Jobsworth traffic cop pulls you over.

Not sure what happens if you give your keys to someone else though!

Don't do it.

 

[updog]

One more completely useless answer to your questions since I have no idea about the UK, but around here, if you're sleeping in the driver's seat it's instant DUI, a hefty fine and a minimum of 6 months of license suspension AFAIK, and if the cops see you, they'll definitely come knocking on the window. If you're curled up in the back seat, it shouldn't be a problem. I've done that before a couple of times when I've been out with friends and we haven't had a place to crash.

that's not what i've heard - i've heard it's only illegal if you have the key in the ignition. seen/heard of a few cases where the cops have just woken up someone sleeping drunk in the car because they had left the engine running, and those didn't lead to any consequences.

what the police should do and what they actually do are two different things though so what you wrote is probably how it goes by the book. i'm glad that the police here can usually use their own discretion in different situations, they're mostly pretty reasonable.

 

[Charlie E.]

My ex once called me after leaving the bar. She was just sitting in her car talking to me on the phone trying to sober up, and then she tells me some cops are approaching, and sure enough they booked her for a DUI.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

that's not what i've heard - i've heard it's only illegal if you have the key in the ignition. seen/heard of a few cases where the cops have just woken up someone sleeping drunk in the car because they had left the engine running, and those didn't lead to any consequences.

what the police should do and what they actually do are two different things though so what you wrote is probably how it goes by the book. i'm glad that the police here can usually use their own discretion in different situations, they're mostly pretty reasonable.

Nope, a dude I know lost his license for just sitting in the driver's seat without the keys in. But yeah, might have been just a cop with a bad day.

 

[LeSedna]

I think here in France it's only illegal if you're in the driver's seat, if you're in the back it's no problem. If you have pillows and all it will look legit anyway.

You could swap keys with another person from the party that you know will stay around, or does the same as you. Or just give them to a friend ?