Why Compare DR50 Car Insurance?
Impairment Cases Need Specialist Handling
DR50 is based on police observation of impairment, not a breathalyser number. Specialist brokers understand the difference and know which insurers price impairment-based offences fairly.
Stop Getting Turned Down
Standard comparison sites may group all drink offences together. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who distinguish between in-charge and driving convictions.
Your Circumstances Matter
Being found impaired in a parked car is very different from driving while drunk. Specialist brokers assess the detail behind your DR50, not just the code itself.
DR50 Car Insurance At A Glance
- DR50 means being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink, under Section 4(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
- It carries a fixed 10 penalty points, a maximum fine of £2,500, and up to 3 months in custody.
- The driving ban is discretionary, not mandatory, and the endorsement stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
- Need short-term cover? Temporary car insurance with convictions is available while you compare.
- Click the green button above to compare DR50 quotes from specialist brokers.
What Is a DR50 Conviction?
DR50 is an impairment-based in-charge offence. Understanding how it differs from breathalyser-based codes could help when comparing insurance quotes.
DR50 is the DVLA endorsement code for being in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink. It is issued under Section 4(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
"Unfit through drink" means a police officer assessed that your ability to drive was impaired by alcohol. This is based on the officer's observations rather than a breathalyser reading. Signs could include slurred speech, unsteady balance, or failing a field impairment test.
DR50 is different from DR40, which is based on exceeding the legal alcohol limit. With DR50, you could be convicted even if your blood alcohol level was below the legal limit, provided the officer judged you unfit to drive.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | 10 (fixed) |
| Driving Ban | Discretionary (not mandatory) |
| Maximum Fine | Up to £2,500 (Level 4, plus up to 3 months prison) |
| Time on Licence | 4 years from date of offence (or from date of conviction if a disqualification is imposed) |
| Spent After | 1 year from fine date, or 12 months from end of custodial sentence (up to 1 year). Licence endorsement remains for 4 years. |
DR50Can You Get Insurance With a DR50?
Yes, and because DR50 is an in-charge offence rather than a driving offence, some insurers may treat it more favourably than a DR20. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who handle drink-related conviction codes daily.
A DR50 stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence. Most insurers ask about convictions from the last 5 years. Once the endorsement is removed, your options tend to open up and prices could start to come down.
Whether you received a driving ban matters too. Because a DR50 ban is discretionary, some drivers keep their licence with 10 points endorsed instead. If you were not banned, insurers may view your case more favourably.
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who work with drink-related convictions every day. They could compare quotes from providers experienced with impairment-based endorsements, and each clean year you build may help bring your loading down at renewal.
Who Needs DR50 Car Insurance?
Standard insurers often load your price heavily or decline cover entirely after a drink-related conviction. Here is who typically benefits most from comparing DR50 car insurance quotes.
Found Impaired in a Parked Vehicle
Police observed signs of impairment while you were sitting in or near your parked car. You were not driving, but the court endorsed your licence with a DR50. Now your insurer is loading your premium or refusing to renew.
Failed a Field Impairment Test
You were asked to perform a roadside impairment test while near your vehicle and failed. The DR50 was endorsed on your licence and you need specialist insurance.
Discretionary Ban Imposed
The court chose to disqualify you despite the ban being discretionary. You need cover from a broker who understands the difference between DR50 and a driving offence like DR20.
No Ban But Points Endorsed
The court decided not to ban you, but your 10 points are affecting your insurance. You need a broker who can find cover with points on your licence.
Renewal Shock After DR50
Your insurer increased your price sharply or declined to renew after your DR50 was disclosed. You need a specialist quote before your cover expires.
Worth Knowing: DR50 is based on impairment, not a breathalyser reading. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who understand observation-based offences and could find you a more competitive price.
What DR50 Car Insurance Covers
A DR50 on your licence does not change what your policy is designed to cover. It changes how much you pay and which insurers will quote you. Because DR50 is an in-charge impairment offence, some providers may be more willing to offer cover than for a driving conviction.
Here is what each level of cover could include. Please note that policy features, benefits, terms and conditions vary among insurance providers, so always check the policy wording.
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire & Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to your vehicle | Yes | No | No |
| Fire and theft protection | Yes | Yes | No |
| Damage to other people's property | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Injury to other people | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windscreen cover | Often included | Rarely | No |
| Courtesy car | Sometimes included | Rarely | No |
Cover Tip: After a DR50, comprehensive cover could actually cost less than third party only. Specialist brokers who handle drink-related convictions every day know which insurers offer the most competitive rates at each level.
What DR50 Car Insurance May Not Cover
A single exclusion could mean your whole claim gets declined. Here is what DR50 car insurance usually does not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not tell your insurer about your DR50 or any other endorsements on your licence, they could invalidate your policy and decline all claims.
- Driving While Disqualified - If you drive during any ban period imposed for your DR50, your insurer may decline any claim and you could face a separate criminal charge.
- Driving Under the Influence - If you cause an accident while impaired by drink or drugs, your insurer could decline your claim.
- Wear and Tear - Gradual damage to your car, like worn tyres or rust, is not covered by any motor policy.
Important Limitations
- Higher Excess - Your insurer may set a higher compulsory excess because of your DR50. Check your policy documents before you agree.
- Named Driver Restrictions - Some policies may limit who else can drive your car after a drink-related conviction.
- Vehicle Value Cap - Some convicted driver policies may cap the value of car they will insure.
- Mileage Restrictions - Some specialist policies may impose annual mileage limits as a condition of cover.
Optional Extras Worth Adding
Your standard policy is designed to cover the basics. These extras fill the gaps that matter most after a drink-related conviction.
May help cover roadside assistance if your car breaks down, subject to policy limits and conditions.
May help cover your legal costs if you need to dispute fault after an accident, depending on your policy terms.
May help you recover losses from a non-fault crash, subject to policy limits and conditions.
May pay a set amount if you are hurt in a crash and cannot work, depending on your policy terms.
Keeps your discount safe if you make a claim. Worth checking after a conviction, subject to insurer acceptance criteria.
A black box tracks your driving to help demonstrate safe habits after your conviction. Could help reduce your premium over time.
What Affects The Cost of DR50 Car Insurance?
Your quote depends on whether you were banned, the level of impairment, and your overall driving history. DR50 is an impairment-based in-charge offence and falls under the drink driving convictions category.
Here are the key factors that could affect your price.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Whether you were banned | A DR50 ban is discretionary. If the court did not disqualify you, insurers may view it more favourably than if a ban was imposed. |
| Time since your DR50 | A DR50 endorsement lasts 4 years. Your price could improve each year, and after the 4-year mark the code is removed from your licence. |
| Level of impairment | The severity of impairment noted by police could affect how insurers assess the risk, even though DR50 is not based on a numerical reading. |
| Other convictions | A DR50 on top of other motoring convictions could push your price up more than the DR50 alone. |
| Your age | Younger drivers often pay more after a conviction. If you are under 25, the increase could be larger. |
| Your car | Higher insurance group cars cost more to insure, with or without convictions. |
| Where you live | Your postcode affects your base price before any conviction loading is applied. |
| No claims discount | A clean claims history may help offset some of the loading from your DR50. |
Price Insight: A DR50 endorsement lasts just 4 years. Each clean year you build could help reduce your loading at renewal. Specialist brokers who handle drink-related convictions understand how pricing changes as the code ages.
Ways To Cut Your DR50 Car Insurance Cost
A DR50 could push your premium up, but because it is an in-charge impairment offence rather than a driving offence, the impact may be less severe than you expect. Here are some ways to cut what you pay.
Compare Quotes Every Year
Do not auto-renew. Get quotes above to see if a better price is available.
Highlight That You Were Not Driving
Make sure your broker understands that DR50 is an in-charge offence, not a driving offence. Some insurers price the distinction.
Build a Clean Record
Each conviction-free, claim-free year after your DR50 could help reduce your loading at renewal.
Increase Your Voluntary Excess
A higher excess could cut your premium. Make sure you can afford it if you need to claim.
Try Telematics Cover
A black box tracks your driving. Consistent safe driving could bring your renewal down.
Pay Annually
Monthly payments often include interest. Paying upfront could reduce what you pay overall.
Choose a Lower Group Car
Cars in lower insurance groups cost less to insure, even with a DR50 on your record.
Saving Tip: Compare quotes above today. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who handle drink-related convictions regularly.
How To Compare DR50 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting quotes after a DR50 does not take long. Clean Green Cars connects you with brokers who cover convicted drivers every day. Get started above when you are ready.
Enter Your Vehicle Details
Add your reg, make, model, and where you park.
Declare Your DR50
Enter the conviction code, date of conviction, and the number of points. If you were banned, include the length. Be honest about any other endorsements too.
Add Your Driving History
Include any other convictions, claims, and your no claims discount.
Choose Your Cover Level
Decide between Comprehensive, TPFT, or Third Party Only.
Compare Your Quotes
Specialist brokers send you quotes based on your details. Pick the one that fits.
What Our Expert Says
DR50 is the in-charge equivalent of DR20. It covers being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink, as assessed by a police officer's observations rather than a breathalyser reading.
The penalties are significantly lower than for a driving offence. The ban is discretionary rather than mandatory, the maximum fine is £2,500 rather than unlimited, and the endorsement lasts 4 years rather than 11. Unlike DR40, which is based on exceeding the legal limit, DR50 is about impairment. You could be convicted even with a blood alcohol level below the legal limit if the officer judged you unfit.
From an insurance perspective, DR50 may attract a lower loading than DR20 with some providers. The shorter endorsement period means the code drops off your licence sooner, and if the court did not impose a ban, some insurers may treat the case more leniently.
Specialist brokers who work with convicted drivers every day know which insurers understand impairment-based offences. They can usually find cover at all three levels, and pricing could improve steadily as the conviction ages.
Co-founder
Common DR50 Car Insurance Questions
Related Drink Driving Conviction Pages
DR50 is one of several drink-drive endorsement codes used on UK driving licences. Each code relates to a different type of drink-related offence. Here are the related DR codes.
Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit
Compare DR10 quotesDriving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink
Compare DR20 quotesDriving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis
Compare DR30 quotesDriving or attempting to drive then refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken whilst the driver was incapacitated
Compare DR31 quotesIn charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit
Compare DR40 quotesFailure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive
Compare DR60 quotesRefusing to allow a specimen of blood to be subjected to laboratory analysis when not driving
Compare DR61 quotesFailing to co-operate with a preliminary test
Compare DR70 quotesDriving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs
Compare DR80 quotesIn charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs
Compare DR90 quotesSearch & compare quotes from UK DR50 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK - Drink Driving Penalties - Official penalties for drink driving and in-charge offences, including ban lengths and fines.
- GOV.UK - Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Course - How the DDRC works, eligibility, and how it could reduce your ban.
- GOV.UK - Check Your Driving Licence - View your licence online, including endorsement codes and expiry dates.
- Sentencing Council - Unfit Through Drink (In Charge) - Sentencing guidelines for impairment-based in-charge offences.
