What to consider when instructing a driving defence solicitor
Choosing the Right Driving Solicitor — Why It Matters More Than You Think
If you have been charged with drink driving, drug driving, or another serious motoring offence, choosing the right solicitor could be the most important decision you make.
In this video, MAJ Law's specialist driving defence solicitors explain what to look for when choosing legal representation, why specialist experience matters, and what questions you should ask before instructing anyone.
What This Video Covers
- The difference between a general crime solicitor and a specialist driving defence solicitor
- Why cheap isn't always cheerful — and what the real cost of inadequate representation can be
- Fixed fees vs. hourly rates — how to understand legal costs from the outset
- What a specialist solicitor should do in your case — and what red flags to watch out for
- MAJ Law's approach — how we review evidence, identify defences, and prepare for court
- Free initial advice — why speaking to a solicitor before entering any plea is essential
The Specialist vs. General Solicitor Debate
Solicitors come in many shapes and sizes. A general crime solicitor will handle everything from theft and assault to driving offences. There is nothing inherently wrong with that — but when it comes to drink and drug driving, the details matter enormously.
Drink driving law is technical. The procedure governing breath, blood and urine testing is governed by strict statutory rules. The prosecution must follow those rules precisely, and if they do not, the case may be won — even where you were over the legal limit.
A general crime solicitor may look at your paperwork and advise you to plead guilty without identifying the procedural errors that a specialist would spot immediately. We have seen this happen on many occasions. In one case, a client came to us after another firm had advised him to plead guilty. We reviewed his paperwork and immediately identified the words "breath difference" on his Intoxilyzer printout — a significant anomaly. We contacted the CPS and asked them to discontinue the case. They did. That client did not receive a criminal conviction.
If that client had accepted the first piece of advice he received, he would have been convicted, banned, and burdened with a criminal record. The only difference was that he spoke to a specialist.
What to Ask When Choosing a Solicitor
Before you instruct any solicitor to represent you in a drink or drug driving case, consider asking:
1. Do you specialise in driving defence? A solicitor who focuses exclusively on motoring offences will have far greater knowledge of this specific area of law than someone who handles it occasionally alongside other criminal work.
2. How many drink or drug driving cases do you handle each year? Volume matters. The more cases a firm deals with, the more familiar they will be with the common errors made by police and prosecutors — and how to exploit them.
3. Will you review the prosecution evidence before advising me to plead? No responsible solicitor should advise you to plead guilty without first reviewing the IDPC (Initial Details of the Prosecution Case) and any other available evidence. If a solicitor advises a guilty plea based solely on the fact that you were over the limit, be very cautious.
4. What are your fees — and are they fixed? Legal costs can escalate quickly. A fixed fee means you know exactly what you will pay, regardless of how the case develops. At MAJ Law, we operate on a fixed fee basis and explain all costs clearly before you decide to instruct us.
5. Can I speak to a solicitor before I commit to anything? Any reputable firm should offer free initial advice. Use this to assess whether the solicitor knows their subject, listens to you, and gives you the impression they are genuinely interested in helping you — not just processing your case.
Why Clients Choose MAJ Law
We are specialists. Driving defence is all we do. Our entire practice is focused on one area of law, which means we are consistently at the forefront of developments in road traffic legislation and prosecution procedure.
We are family-run. MAJ Law is the UK's only family-run motoring defence practice. That means we understand what is at stake for our clients. A driving ban does not just affect how you get to work — it can cost you your job, your income, and your independence. We treat every case with the seriousness it deserves.
We are highly rated. We are currently ranked Number 1 for driving defence on the UK's most popular solicitor review platform. Our position is earned through results, not marketing.
We are transparent. We explain our fees clearly from the outset. We work on a fixed fee basis. There is no small print and no nasty surprises.
We give honest advice. If we do not think you have a defence, we will tell you — and we will help you minimise the sentence instead. We never raise false hopes. But equally, if there is a realistic prospect of winning your case, we will fight hard to achieve that outcome.
Watch the Video — Then Call Us for Free
Use this video as your starting point. Then call us for a free, no-obligation conversation about your case. Our team will listen, explain your options honestly, and tell you whether we think we can help.
All initial advice is completely free of charge.
