Following his arrest for driving under the influence of intoxicants, the defendant, Kenneth F. Bailey, refused to submit to a test to determine the alcoholic content of his blood. For his refusal, he was charged with violating Code § 18.1-55.1, Virginia’s Implied Consent Law. Upon his trial therefor, he was convicted, and his operator’s license was revoked for a period of 90 days. Code § 18.1-55.1(n). He was granted a writ of error.
On appeal, the defendant contends that under the Implied Consent Law a charge of refusing to submit to a blood test should be dismissed if the failure to take the test is based upon a reasonable ground. Code § 18.1-55.1(m). His refusal, the defendant asserts, was based upon the advice of counsel “not to take the test.” This, the defendant concludes, was a reasonable ground within the intendment of the Implied Consent Law.
The record supports the defendant’s assertion that he refused *131 to submit to a blood analysis only after he had received advice of counsel “not to take the test.” This presents the sole question for decision: whether, under the circumstances, the defendant’s refusal was reasonable.
In
Deaner
v.
Commonwealth,
We further held in
Deaner
that an unwillingness to take the test “without prior consultation with counsel” does not constitute a reasonable refusal.
In this case, the sole ground for the defendant’s refusal to submit to a blood analysis was the advice of counsel “not to take the test.” This was not a reasonable ground for refusal. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.
Affirmed.
