Britney Spears has been arrested on suspicion of DUI in California as those in her inner circle are hoping the incident can be the first step in ‘long overdue change.’

The Daily Mail has learned that the 44-year-old pop star was taken into custody by California Highway Patrol at around 9.30pm on Wednesday night in Ventura County after several 911 calls.

The singer, who was recently seen driving and behaving erratically, has since been released, according to Ventura County Sheriff records as of Thursday morning.

Spears is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, May 4.

Representatives for Spears released a statement in response to the arrest to Daily Mail which read: ‘This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable. Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.

‘Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well being.’

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Britney Spears was arrested for DUI in Ventura County, California, last night

Just last month, the singer was spotted behind the wheel of her Mercedes SUV, appearing to break the law in LA with her cell phone pressed to her face

Spears shares two sons – 20-year-old Sean Preston Federline and 19-year-old Jayden James Federline – with ex-husband Kevin Federline as they currently live in Hawaii with their father.

In the 911 call, dispatchers and officers describe the chaotic pursuit in real time.

‘Can we send all units down towards this area please,’ another officer requests, as colleagues provide updates on the vehicle’s location.

Officers identified the car as a ‘2026 black BMW convertible,’ and the call captures them tracking Spears before finally pulling her over.

The pursuit reportedly began around 8:13pm, with Spears driving in and out of the freeway lanes.

Around 9:13pm, dispatch confirmed: ‘Driver is out of the vehicle.’

Moments later, officers can be heard speaking with Spears, describing the situation: ‘Talking with the driver,’ one officer says.

The singer has since been released, according to Ventura County Sheriff records as of Thursday morning (seen at the MTV Video Music Awards in August 2016)

 Spears (pictured in an Instagram video from last month) is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, May 4

Her car was towed and impounded by Roy’s Towing in Thousand Oaks, California (pictured)

Sheriff’s deputies were later seen at the tow yard

Her car was towed and impounded by Roy’s Towing in Thousand Oaks, California.

The Baby One More Time hitmaker seemingly expressed immediate remorse as sources said she was ‘crying a lot’ while being processed at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office according to TMZ.

Now TMZ is also reporting that there was an unknown substance found in the car that will be part of the arrest as it is now being tested.

Daily Mail has reached out to Spears’ reps and law enforcement officials over these claims and have yet to hear back.

When a person gets a DUI in California, their driver’s license is automatically suspended.

There is also potential jail time, a hefty fine of over $1,000 and mandatory DUI education programs.

A first offense typically involves three to five years of probation, a six-month license suspension and about six months of DUI school.

Just last month, Spears was spotted behind the wheel of her Mercedes SUV, appearing to break the law as she held her cell phone to her face.

A first-time DUI offense typically involves three to five years of probation, a six-month license suspension and about six months of school (she is pictrured in April 2018)

On February 12, she was photographed taking a spin around Los Angeles while appearing to be talking on the phone, which is illegal in California under the ‘No Touch’ law (Vehicle Code 23123.5).

She was not charged in relation to the incident.

It was, however, not an isolated incident for Spears, who, in recent months, was filmed swerving into the wrong lane on a highway after a night out. At the time, sources feared she was ‘spiraling’ amid the release of her ex-husband Federline‘s memoir. The two were married from 2004 to 2007.

Her history with the police also included being cited for a hit-and-run (misdemeanor) after hitting a parked car in 2007. This was dismissed after Spears paid an undisclosed sum to the owner, it was reported at the time.

She was also cited for driving without a valid California license in 2008, which was later dismissed by a judge.

In 2023, law enforcement visited Spears’s home regarding a video involving knives, but no charges were filed.

Spears has had very public personal struggles for nearly two decades.

In 2007, the star famously suffered a harrowing breakdown after exhibiting worrying behavior in the months leading up to her infamous psychiatric hold.

More recently, she has been open about issues with her family as in early February she claimed she is ‘scared’ of her family and ‘lucky to be alive’ in a bombshell social media post