Why Compare CD70 Car Insurance?

Many Standard Insurers May Decline CD70

CD70 is a serious endorsement code. Many providers will not quote. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who work with providers experienced in covering serious driving convictions.

Every Insurer Assesses CD70 Differently

One provider could decline your car insurance application while another may consider your full circumstances. Clean Green Cars connects you with brokers who take a case-by-case approach.

Your Record Could Improve Over Time

Each conviction-free year may work in your favour. Specialist brokers understand this and may be able to find you a more competitive price as your record improves.

CD70 Car Insurance At A Glance

  • CD70 means causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for analysis under Section 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
  • The penalty is 3 to 11 penalty points, an unlimited fine, up to life imprisonment, and an obligatory driving ban of at least 5 years depending on the circumstances of the case.
  • An extended driving retest is compulsory before your licence is restored.
  • Click the green button above to compare CD70 quotes from convicted driver insurance brokers.
Checklist clipboard illustration showing key insurance points.

What Is A CD70 Conviction?

CD70 is an indictable-only offence under Section 3A(1)(c) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 - causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for analysis. Here's how the law defines it:

  • Who it applies to - Any driver who causes death through careless or inconsiderate driving and then refuses, without reasonable excuse, to provide a breath, blood or urine specimen when required by police.
  • Why refusal is treated as seriously as being over the limit - The law treats failure to supply a specimen as equivalent to being over the limit, so the penalty level matches CD60. The specimen refusal element is shared with DR50.
  • Why it carries the heaviest penalties - CD70 combines careless driving, specimen refusal and a fatal outcome. Since the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, the maximum sentence was raised to life imprisonment.
  • How CD70 Relates To Nearby Codes - CD60 is the over-the-limit version, while CD80 relates to drugs. CD70 is the failure-to-supply route after a fatal careless-driving offence.
Penalty Details
Penalty Points 3 to 11
Driving Ban Obligatory - minimum 5 years depending on the circumstances of the case
Maximum Fine Unlimited
Time on Licence 11 years on licence from date of conviction
Spent After Depends on the sentence. For shorter sentences, the minimum rehabilitation period is at least 5 years, and longer for more severe sentences. If a life sentence or very long custodial sentence is imposed, the conviction may never become spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (meaning it may always need to be disclosed when asked).

Sentencing ranges, penalty points and rehabilitation periods are based on legislation and sentencing guidance available at the time of writing and may change. Sentencing outcomes depend on court assessment of the circumstances of the offence.

UK driving licence with a CD70 conviction endorsement.CD70

Can You Get Insurance With A CD70 Conviction?

In many cases, yes, though CD70 is a serious endorsement code and many mainstream insurers may decline. Brokers who specialise in convicted driver car insurance are often the most practical route.

Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers experienced with serious driving convictions.

See the full careless driving category for related endorsement codes.

A CD70 stays on your licence for 11 years from the date of conviction. Once the ban ends and you have passed the compulsory extended retest, you will need convicted driver insurance cover.

The number of providers willing to quote typically increases as the conviction ages. In the first few years after returning to driving, you may need to work with specialist brokers who have access to insurers experienced with serious conviction codes. As more years pass without further incident, your options could gradually improve.

Specialist brokers who work with convicted drivers every day understand the challenges a CD70 presents. Clean Green Cars introduces you to these brokers, so you could explore what cover may be available based on your current circumstances.

Who Needs CD70 Car Insurance?

CD70 is a serious endorsement code. If you need cover urgently, temporary car insurance for convicted drivers may bridge the gap. Here's who typically needs to compare CD70 car insurance quotes.

Ban Ended, Retest Complete

Your ban is over and you passed the extended retest. Getting insured is the next practical step. Specialist brokers handle this regularly and know which insurers may typically consider a CD70 application.

Released And Moving Forward

You have served your sentence. Specialist brokers understand the full timeline and can help you navigate getting back on the road.

First Policy Since Conviction

The retest is behind you and you need CD70 car insurance cover. The process can feel daunting, but specialist brokers guide drivers through it every day.

Record Improving Over Time

Each clean year since your conviction could reduce your loading. Specialist brokers can help you find cover that reflects your current record, not just the code on your licence.

Multiple Codes On Your Licence

A CD70 alongside other endorsements narrows the field, but specialist brokers handle complex records. They know which insurers assess the full picture.

Worth Knowing: The law may not distinguish between why a specimen was refused, but specialist brokers can. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who handle CD70 cases and understand the nuances behind the code.

What CD70 Car Insurance Covers

A CD70 on your licence does not change what your policy is designed to cover. It changes how much you pay and which insurers will consider your application. Browse the full convicted driver insurance guide for more detail.

Here's what each level of cover typically could include. Please note that policy features, benefits, terms and conditions vary among insurance providers, so always check the policy wording.

FeatureComprehensiveThird Party, Fire & TheftThird Party Only
Damage to your own vehicleYesNoNo
Fire and theft protectionYesYesNo
Damage to other people's propertyYesYesYes
Injury to other peopleYesYesYes
Windscreen coverOften includedRarelyNo
Courtesy carSometimes includedRarelyNo

Cover Tip: After a lengthy ban, comprehensive cover can sometimes cost less than third party only. So always compare all three levels before assuming the most basic cover option.

What CD70 Car Insurance May Not Cover

A single missed detail could mean a claim gets declined. Here's what CD70 car insurance usually does not cover.

Standard Exclusions

  • Undeclared Convictions - If you do not tell your insurer about your CD70 or any related convictions, they could invalidate your policy and may decline related claims.
  • Driving Under the Influence - If you cause an accident while impaired by drink or drugs, your insurer could decline a claim depending on the circumstances and policy wording.
  • Undeclared Vehicle Use - If your policy covers social use but you are driving for business, your insurer could decline your claim depending on the circumstances and policy wording.
  • Racing or Track Use - Standard policies are not designed to cover racing, track days, or competitive events.

Important Limitations

  • Higher Compulsory Excess - Some insurers apply a higher compulsory excess for convicted drivers, which means you pay more before a claim is settled.
  • Mileage Restrictions - Your policy may limit your annual mileage. Exceeding it could affect whether a claim is paid in full.
  • Vehicle Value Cap - Some convicted driver policies may cap the maximum value of vehicle they will insure.
  • Named Driver Restrictions - Some policies may limit who else can drive your car after a conviction of this nature.

Extras Worth Adding

Your standard policy is designed to cover the basics. These extras fill gaps that could matter after a serious conviction.

May help cover roadside assistance if your car breaks down away from home, 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 cover the cost of replacing your keys if they are lost or stolen, subject to policy limits and conditions.

May be needed if you have built up years of no claims and want to keep your discount safe after a claim, subject to insurer acceptance criteria.

May pay a set amount if you are hurt in a crash and cannot work, depending on your policy terms.

May be needed if you want to prove safe driving habits after your conviction. A black box tracks your speed, braking, and mileage, which could help reduce your renewal price.

What Affects The Cost Of Car Insurance With A CD70 Conviction?

Your quote depends on the circumstances of the conviction, the length of your disqualification, and your overall driving history.

Key FactorImpact on Your Price
Your CD70 convictionCD70 involves causing death by careless driving and then failing to supply a specimen for analysis. Many mainstream insurers may decline.
Time since convictionYour premium may reduce each year as the CD70 ages. A conviction from several years ago may cost less to insure than a recent one.
Other convictions on your licenceA CD70 on top of other motoring convictions could push your price up sharply.
No claims discountA long no claims history could help offset some of your CD70 loading.
Your vehicle (group, age, value)Higher insurance group cars cost more to insure. Choosing a lower group car could help.
Annual mileageLower mileage usually means lower risk. Make sure your estimate is accurate.
Cover levelComprehensive cover could cost less than third party only for some convicted drivers. Always compare all three levels.
Where you liveYour postcode affects your base price before any conviction loading is added.

Price Insight: The loading (which is where an insurer increases the price of your policy to reflect a higher-than-average risk, such as previous convictions, claims history, or other underwriting factors) for a CD70 is heavy in the early years, but it does reduce over time. Each clean year brings it down. Comparing annually helps you track the improvement.

Susan Difford working out an insurance quote on a calculator.

Ways To Cut Your Car Insurance Cost

A CD70 could push your premium up considerably. The GOV.UK drink driving penalties page explains the legal consequences. Here are practical steps that could help with insurance costs.

1

Compare At Every Renewal

Your loading could reduce each year as the conviction ages. Never accept your renewal without checking alternatives. Get quotes above.

2

Telematics Is Your Strongest Evidence

A black box gives your insurer evidence of safe, responsible driving. After a CD70, this evidence could matter more than anything else on your application.

3

Choose A Modest Vehicle

Cars in lower insurance groups cost less to insure. A lower-risk vehicle could make a real difference to your premium after a serious conviction.

4

Raise Your Voluntary Excess

A higher excess may slightly reduce your premium. Make sure you could genuinely afford it if you needed to claim.

5

Pay Annually If You Can

Monthly payments include interest charges. Paying the full year upfront could reduce what you pay overall.

6

Add An Experienced Named Driver

Adding someone with a clean licence and years of experience could help balance how insurers see your overall risk.

7

Secure Your Parking

A driveway or garage is lower risk than on-street parking. Let your insurer know where the car is kept.

Saving Tip: Every clean year matters. Compare quotes above - Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers experienced with serious motoring convictions who understand that circumstances vary.

How To Compare CD70 Car Insurance Quotes

Getting quotes after a CD70 does not take long. Get started above when you are ready.

1

Enter Your Vehicle Details

Add your registration, make, model, and where you park overnight.

2

Add Your Personal Details

Enter your name, address, date of birth, and occupation.

3

Declare Your CD70

Select the CD70 conviction code, enter the date of offence, and the number of points. Declare any other endorsements too.

4

Complete Your Driving Record

Choose your cover level, add your no claims discount, and confirm any previous claims.

5

Review Your Quotes

Specialist brokers send you quotes based on your details. Compare prices and cover levels, then pick the one that fits.

What Our Expert Says

A CD70 conviction carries a particular frustration. The law treats refusing to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample as seriously as being over the limit. Whether the refusal was from panic, confusion, or a medical reason, the legal outcome is the same - and so is the impact on insurance.

CD70 records a conviction for causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for analysis under Section 3A(1)(c) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The penalties match CD40 and CD60: up to life imprisonment, an obligatory ban of at least 5 years, and a compulsory extended retest (a longer practical driving test required before your licence is returned).

The endorsement stays on your licence for 11 years. Specialist brokers understand this offence and work with insurers who assess each case individually rather than treating a refusal as automatic proof of guilt.

- Susan Difford
Insurance Expert & Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Susan Difford

Common CD70 Car Insurance Questions

What Is A CD70 Conviction?

CD70 is the DVLA endorsement code for causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for analysis under Section 3A(1)(c) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

How Long Does CD70 Stay On Your Licence?

CD70 stays on your licence for 11 years from the date of conviction.

Can You Get Insurance With A CD70 Conviction?

Yes. Specialist brokers work with insurers who consider CD70 applications individually. Clean Green Cars introduces you to these brokers.

Why Is Failing To Supply A Specimen Serious?

The law treats refusal to provide a specimen as seriously as being over the limit. The penalties mirror CD40 and CD60.

What Is The Maximum Sentence?

Up to life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, and an obligatory ban of at least 5 years with a compulsory extended retest.

Is CD70 A Criminal Offence?

Yes. CD70 is an indictable offence tried in the Crown Court.

Do You Need An Extended Test?

Yes. A compulsory extended driving test is mandatory after a CD70 conviction.

How Long Is The Ban?

The obligatory ban is at least 5 years. Courts may impose longer.

How Long Must You Declare CD70?

You must answer your insurer's questions truthfully, which usually means declaring CD70 for at least 5 years, although insurers may ask about longer periods depending on their underwriting criteria. Most insurers ask about convictions for at least 5 years.

What Happens After I Submit My Details?

After you submit your details, Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who handle drivers with serious motoring convictions. They contact you directly with quotes. There is no obligation to buy.

Susan Difford pointing at a question mark.

Related Careless Driving Codes

CD70 sits within the wider careless driving endorsement codes family. It is closest to CD60 causing death by careless driving over the alcohol limit and DR50 failing to provide a specimen, because the specimen-refusal element matters as well as the careless-driving outcome.

You may also want to consider temporary car insurance for convicted drivers if you need short-term cover.

Information about careless driving endorsement codes is provided for general guidance only. Insurance availability, acceptance criteria, premiums and temporary cover options depend on individual circumstances and insurer underwriting criteria, which vary between providers. Sentencing ranges and legal classifications reflect legislation available at the time of writing and may change.

Search & Compare Quotes From UK CD70 Car Insurance Providers

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