Why Compare CD33 Car Insurance?
Mainstream Insurers Often Decline
A CD33 for causing serious injury is treated as a high-risk endorsement by standard panels. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who work with insurers that consider CD33 convictions.
Skip The Phone Rejection Loop
Ringing round after a serious conviction is draining. Fill in one form and let Clean Green Cars introduce you to brokers who assess the full picture, not just the code.
Worried About Your Renewal Loading?
Your current insurer may have loaded the premium heavily when you told them. Clean Green Cars helps you compare careless driving insurance quotes that reflect your current risk, not just the headline offence.
Car Insurance With a CD33 Conviction At A Glance
- CD33 means causing serious injury to another person by careless or inconsiderate driving under Section 2C of the Road Traffic Act 1988, inserted by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 on 28 June 2022.
- It carries 3 to 11 penalty points, an obligatory minimum 12-month disqualification, and an unlimited fine (Level 5 since March 2015).
- As an either-way offence, CD33 can be tried summarily or on indictment, where it carries up to 2 years' imprisonment.
- CD33 stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence. Insurers typically ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
- Because CD33 involves serious injury, specialist brokers who handle convicted driver insurance work with insurers who can quote when mainstream comparison sites decline.
- Click the green button above to compare CD33 quotes from specialist brokers.
What is a CD33 Conviction?
CD33 is a statutory offence under Section 2C of the Road Traffic Act 1988 – causing serious injury to another person by careless or inconsiderate driving. It is one of the newest motoring offences on the statute book, introduced on 28 June 2022 to fill the sentencing gap between careless driving (CD10, CD20, CD30) and dangerous driving. Here’s how the law defines it:
- Who it applies to – Any driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place whose driving falls below (but not far below) the standard of a competent and careful driver, and thereby causes serious injury to another person.
- What counts as a CD33 offence – Momentary lapses, distraction, or ordinary carelessness that happens to cause grievous bodily harm. Examples include looking at a phone and clipping a cyclist, pulling out of a junction without looking and injuring a pedestrian, or drifting through tiredness and causing broken bones.
- How the duty arises – Automatically on conviction under Section 2C of the Road Traffic Act 1988, inserted by Section 86 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and commenced on 28 June 2022.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | 3 to 11 (where no disqualification is ordered) |
| Driving Ban | Obligatory, minimum 12 months |
| Maximum Fine | Unlimited (Level 5 under LASPO 2015) |
| Time on Licence | 4 years from the date of the offence |
| Spent After | Depends on the sentence under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You must answer your insurer's questions truthfully for as long as they ask, usually 5 years. |
| Extended Retest | Discretionary, at the court's direction under s.36(4) RTOA 1988 |
CD33Can You Get Insurance With a CD33 Conviction?
Yes. Cover is available, though you should expect fewer options, a careful underwriting process, and a premium that reflects the seriousness of the offence until your endorsement and any sentence age off your record.
- Points and ban - 3 to 11 penalty points, obligatory 12-month minimum disqualification, up to 2 years custody on indictment, unlimited fine under LASPO.
- Time on your record - The endorsement stays on your DVLA record for 4 years from the date of the offence. Most insurers ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
- When it's spent - Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, spent timing depends on sentence. A community order becomes spent 12 months after it ends. Custody up to 12 months becomes spent 12 months after the sentence ends. Custody over 12 months up to 4 years becomes spent 4 years after the sentence ends.
- Disclosure still matters - Non-disclosure can invalidate your policy. Answer insurers' questions truthfully for as long as the endorsement shows on your licence and for as long as they ask about convictions.
- Treated as a serious conviction - CD33 sits between driving without due care and attention (CD30) and causing death by careless driving (CD80). The market is narrower and premiums are loaded. Unlike drink or drug offences, no rehabilitation course is available to shorten the disqualification.
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who work with insurers that consider drivers with CD33 convictions. If you need cover for the window after your disqualification ends, temporary cover for convicted drivers can bridge the gap.
Who Needs CD33 Car Insurance?
First serious conviction drivers
Drivers facing their first major endorsement who have been declined or heavily loaded by a mainstream insurer at renewal.
Post-ban returners
Drivers coming back to the road after a CD33 disqualification has ended, often with a fresh licence and a record that still shows the points.
Younger CD33 drivers
Drivers in their late teens or twenties who are carrying a CD33 alongside limited driving history and need panels that price the combination sensibly.
Professional drivers
Reps, delivery drivers and mileage-heavy company car users whose work depends on holding personal cover and who need a CD33-friendly panel.
Multi-car households
Families where one driver holds a CD33 and the household wants to keep a second car insured without dragging every policy up to the same loading.
Cover Options for CD33 Car Insurance
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire & Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to your own vehicle | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Fire and theft protection | Included | Included | Not included |
| Damage to other people's property | Included | Included | Included |
| Injury to other people | Included | Included | Included |
| Windscreen cover | Usually included | Optional | Not included |
| Courtesy car during repair | Often included | Optional | Not included |
Cover Tip: After a CD33, third party only may look cheaper upfront, but with a serious conviction already affecting your premium it can be worth pricing comprehensive on the same form. The gap is often smaller than expected once specialist brokers are involved.
What CD33 Car Insurance May Not Cover
Standard Exclusions
- Driving other cars - Driving other cars cover is routinely removed from policies after a serious careless driving conviction, so check your certificate carefully.
- Named driver only - Cover may apply strictly to named drivers, and any occasional driver who is not listed is unlikely to be covered in a claim.
- Track and competitive use - Track days, timed runs and any competitive driving are excluded as standard, and a CD33 policy is unlikely to make an exception.
- Use for hire or reward - Taxi work, private hire and paid deliveries need a separate commercial policy and are not covered under a personal CD33 quote.
- Commuting when rated SDP only - If you only declared social, domestic and pleasure use, commuting to a regular workplace may fall outside the terms of cover.
- Undeclared modifications - Any performance, cosmetic or wheel modifications not declared at quote can invalidate cover if they are found at claim stage.
Important Limitations
- Higher compulsory excess - CD33 policies often carry an enhanced compulsory excess on top of your voluntary amount, which applies to every claim.
- Mileage and use caps - Some CD33 quotes are written on restricted mileage or limited-use terms, and exceeding the stated limits can affect whether cover applies.
Optional Extras Worth Considering
A roadside and recovery add-on keeps you moving if the car fails, and bundling it at quote is often cheaper than buying separately.
Covers solicitor costs to recover uninsured losses and to defend motoring allegations, which matters more when your record already carries a CD33.
Upgrades you from a small hatchback to a like-for-like vehicle while yours is repaired, which helps if you rely on the car for work or family.
Pays a fixed sum for specified injuries to you or a partner after an accident, on top of anything recovered through your main policy.
Replaces lost, stolen or broken keys without touching your no claims, which is useful when any claim history is being watched closely.
Drains and flushes the tank if you put the wrong fuel in, and some policies also cover consequential engine damage up to a set limit.
What Affects CD33 Car Insurance Costs?
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Points on your licence | A CD33 carries 3 to 11 points, and the upper end of that range is treated as higher risk by most panels. |
| Time since the offence | The endorsement stays on your record for 4 years from the date of the offence, and premiums often ease as it ages. |
| Whether you were disqualified | CD33 carries obligatory disqualification with a 12 month minimum, and a recent ban typically loads quotes more heavily than points alone. |
| Age and driving experience | Younger drivers and those with fewer years on the road tend to see a larger uplift after a serious careless conviction. |
| Vehicle insurance group | High-group cars amplify the CD33 loading, so a lower-group everyday vehicle can take some of the sting out of the quote. |
| Annual mileage and use | Lower mileage and social, domestic and pleasure use are typically priced more favourably than high commuting miles. |
| Additional convictions or claims | A CD33 alongside other endorsements or recent at-fault claims usually narrows the panel of brokers willing to quote. |
| Voluntary excess level | A higher voluntary excess can reduce the premium, but only set it at a level you could realistically afford after a serious incident. |
Pricing Insight: A CD33 sits on your record for 4 years from the date of the offence. Premiums often ease once the conviction is more than a year old and claim-free driving has been proven, so it can be worth re-comparing at each renewal rather than rolling over.
Ways to Reduce CD33 Car Insurance Costs
Declare the CD33 accurately
Give the exact offence date, points and any disqualification length. Under-declaring a serious conviction could affect whether cover applies at claim stage.
Consider a telematics policy
A black box rewards the safe, steady driving you are already proving post-conviction. Compare telematics car insurance alongside standard CD33 quotes.
Pick a lower insurance group vehicle
If you are changing cars after the incident, dropping 4 to 6 insurance groups can meaningfully offset the CD33 loading at your next quote.
Build claim-free months
Each claim-free year added on top of a CD33 typically softens the loading at renewal. Avoid small self-recoverable claims if you can.
Time your renewal quotes
Quote roughly 23 to 26 days before renewal. Last-minute quotes are often the most expensive and give you the least room to compare.
Pay annually if you can
Monthly instalments typically add 15 to 25 per cent in interest. Paying annually, where possible, strips that out and may reduce the total cost.
Keep mileage realistic and accurate
Over-estimating annual mileage needlessly inflates the quote, and under-estimating can affect whether a claim is paid. Check a recent MOT for a true figure.
CGC Tip: A single form on Clean Green Cars reaches brokers who price CD33 quotes individually, rather than applying a blanket loading. Pair that with honest, accurate disclosure and you give yourself the best chance of a premium that reflects your current driving, not just the headline offence.
How CD33 Car Insurance Quotes Work
Enter your vehicle details
Start with the registration, estimated annual mileage and how the car is used so the panel can build an accurate quote from the ground up.
Add your personal details
Provide your name, address, occupation and licence type. Accuracy here matters because a CD33 quote is always cross-checked against your record.
Declare your CD33
Select code CD33, enter the exact date of the offence and any disqualification length. This is the detail that decides which brokers can quote.
Complete your driving record
Add any other endorsements, past claims or non-fault incidents. A full, honest picture usually produces firmer prices than a thin one.
Review your quotes
Compare premiums, excesses and add-ons side by side. Pick the cover level that fits your situation rather than defaulting to the lowest headline figure.
What Our Expert Says
Receiving a CD33 is a serious moment. The offence involves causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving under section 2C of the Road Traffic Act 1988, so insurers treat it with due weight. Sentences typically range from a community order up to around one year of custody, with a two-year maximum reserved for the worst cases. Most CD33 drivers may see premiums ease noticeably once the first renewal has passed and the driving record is clean. Accurate disclosure, as explained on GOV.UK, is essential at every quote.Co-founder
Common CD33 Car Insurance Questions
What Is a CD33 Conviction?
CD33 is the DVLA code for causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. It was introduced in 2022 under Section 2C of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and covers careless driving that results in grievous bodily harm.
What Are the Penalties and Sentencing Guidelines for CD33?
The maximum sentence is 2 years imprisonment on indictment, an unlimited fine, and an obligatory 12 month minimum disqualification. Sentencing Council guidelines place most outcomes between a community order and around 1 year custody.
How Many Penalty Points Does CD33 Carry?
CD33 carries between 3 and 11 penalty points. Points are only imposed where the court decides not to disqualify. In practice, obligatory disqualification of at least 12 months is the usual outcome.
Can I Get Car Insurance With a CD33 Conviction?
Yes. Mainstream insurers may decline the risk, but specialist brokers work with insurers that consider drivers with serious motoring convictions. Expect a careful underwriting process and a premium loaded to reflect the endorsement.
How Long Do I Have to Declare a CD33 to My Insurer?
Answer your insurer’s questions truthfully for as long as CD33 appears on your driving record (4 years from the offence date) and for as long as the insurer’s application asks about convictions, which is often up to 5 years.
Is CD33 a Criminal Offence and Will It Show on a DBS Check?
Yes. CD33 is a serious criminal motoring offence and results in a criminal record. Custodial, suspended, or community order outcomes appear on standard and enhanced DBS checks for qualifying roles until the conviction becomes spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
What Is the Difference Between CD33 (Careless) and DD Codes (Dangerous)?
CD33 applies where driving falls below the competent standard and causes serious injury. Dangerous driving (DD40) applies where driving falls far below that standard, whether or not anyone is hurt. Dangerous driving carries heavier maximum sentences.
How Long Does CD33 Stay on My Driving Licence?
A CD33 endorsement stays on your DVLA driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence. During that period insurers can see the code, and most applications will ask you to declare it until it ages off.
What Counts as 'Serious Injury' Under CD33?
In England and Wales, serious injury means grievous bodily harm under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. In Scotland it means severe physical injury. Typical examples include broken bones, internal injuries, or harm requiring significant hospital treatment.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who work with insurers that consider drivers with CD33 convictions. You could compare quotes online, and there is no obligation to buy any policy you are shown.
Related Careless Driving Conviction Codes
Explore the other careless driving codes in the CD family to see how CD33 compares in severity, penalties, and insurance treatment.
Driving without due care and attention
Compare CD10 quotesDriving without reasonable consideration for other road users
Compare CD20 quotesDriving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users (combined)
Compare CD30 quotesCausing death through careless driving when unfit through drink
Compare CD40 quotesCausing death by careless driving when unfit through drugs
Compare CD50 quotesCausing death by careless driving with alcohol level above the limit
Compare CD60 quotesCausing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for analysis
Compare CD70 quotesCausing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving
Compare CD80 quotesCausing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified, or uninsured drivers
Compare CD90 quotesSearch & compare quotes from UK CD33 Car Insurance Providers
