Drake Bell has been released from jail after just 48 hours behind bars.

The former Nickelodeon star's jail term was part of a plea deal he reached after being arrested for DUI for the second time last December.

As part of the agreement, Drake will also attend an alcohol education programme and spend four years on probation.

The punishment came after he was pulled over on December 21 last year at 2.18am by police in Glendale, California, for straddling a lane, travelling at an unsafe speed and abruptly stopping at a red light.

He was subsequently charged with one count of misdemeanour DUI by the Los Angeles County District Attorney.

It was claimed Drake had been driving at 55km an hour in a 35 zone.

Glendale Police spokesperson Tahnee Lightfoot said at the time that officers "smelled an odour of alcohol" on the actor so administered a sobriety test, which Drake "did not satisfactorily complete".

Drake - who was travelling alone - was placed under arrest and was released on a citation after posting $20,000 in bail.

He was previously charged with a DUI back in 2009 in San Diego.

The actor is certainly no stranger to scandal, having caused outrage in June last year when he said he would still refer to 'I Am Cait' star Caitlyn Jenner by her previous identity of Bruce Jenner.

However, he later deleted the tweet and issued an apology for being "thoughtless and insensitive" towards the transgender community.

He said: "I sincerely apologise for my thoughtless insensitive remarks. I in no way meant to hurt or demean those going through a similar journey."