Why Compare DG10 Car Insurance?
DG10 Is One of the Hardest Codes to Insure
A drug driving conviction stays on your licence for 11 years. Many mainstream insurers decline to quote altogether. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who work with providers that accept DG10 endorsements and could find you a competitive price.
Your Loading Could Drop Each Year
Insurers typically weigh a recent DG10 more heavily than one from several years ago. Comparing quotes at every renewal through Clean Green Cars connects you with brokers who understand how time since conviction affects your premium.
One Form Reaches Multiple Specialist Brokers
Rather than approaching brokers one at a time, Clean Green Cars puts you in touch with several who handle drug driving convictions daily. You fill in one form and get matched to brokers with access to panels that accept DG10.
DG10 Car Insurance At A Glance
- DG10 means you were caught driving with a specified drug above the legal limit.
- The conviction carries 3 to 11 penalty points and a minimum 12-month driving ban (GOV.UK).
- 20,072 people were sentenced for drug driving offences in England and Wales in 2024 (Home Office).
- Your DG10 endorsement stays on your licence for 11 years from the date of conviction.
- Click the green button above to compare DG10 quotes from specialist brokers.
What Is a DG10 Conviction?
DG10 is the DVLA endorsement code for driving or attempting to drive with a specified controlled drug above the legal limit. It is the most common drug driving conviction code in the UK. The offence falls under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, introduced by the Crime and Courts Act 2013.
The law sets near-zero tolerance limits for 17 controlled substances including cannabis (THC), cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine. Even trace amounts in your blood could lead to a conviction. Separate, higher limits apply to 8 prescription medications such as morphine and diazepam, recognising that some drivers take these legally under medical supervision.
A DG10 carries 3 to 11 penalty points, a minimum 12-month driving ban, an unlimited fine, and up to 6 months in prison. If you have a previous drug or drink driving conviction within 10 years, your minimum ban rises to 36 months.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Points | 10 |
| Minimum Ban | 12 months (36 months if repeat offender within 10 years) |
| Maximum Fine | Unlimited |
| Maximum Prison | 6 months |
| On Your Licence | 11 years from date of conviction |
| Rehabilitation Period | At least 5 years from the conviction date for adults (longer if the overall sentence has a longer rehabilitation period under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) |
Illegal Drugs – Specified Limits
The following limits apply to illegal substances. They are set at very low levels, effectively operating as zero tolerance (as at March 2015).
| Drug | Blood Limit |
|---|---|
| Amphetamine | 250 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite) | 50 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Cocaine | 10 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis) | 2 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Ketamine | 20 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) | 1 microgram per litre of blood |
| Methylamphetamine | 10 micrograms per litre of blood |
| MDMA (ecstasy) | 10 micrograms per litre of blood |
| 6-monoacetylmorphine (heroin metabolite) | 5 micrograms per litre of blood |
Prescription Drugs – Specified Limits
Higher thresholds apply to these prescription medicines to allow for legitimate medical use. You may still face prosecution if your blood level exceeds the limit, even with a valid prescription (as at March 2015).
| Drug | Blood Limit |
|---|---|
| Clonazepam | 50 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Diazepam | 550 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Flunitrazepam | 300 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Lorazepam | 100 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Methadone | 500 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Morphine | 80 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Oxazepam | 300 micrograms per litre of blood |
| Temazepam | 1,000 micrograms per litre of blood |
DG10Can You Get Insurance With a DG10 Conviction?
Yes, but your options are more limited than with most other conviction codes. A DG10 is a significant endorsement that stays on your licence for 11 years. It stays on your licence for 11 years from the date of conviction, and many mainstream insurers will not quote you during that period.
Specialist brokers work with panels of insurers who accept drug driving convictions. They understand how to present your application and know which providers weigh the time since conviction most favourably. Your loading could reduce each year, particularly once your ban has ended and you have rebuilt some no claims history.
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a DG10 conviction becomes spent 5 years from the date of conviction. In practice, many motor insurers only ask about motoring convictions from the last 5 years, even though the DG10 endorsement itself stays on your licence for 11 years. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who handle DG10 cases every day.
If you need short-term cover while comparing annual policies, temporary car insurance for convicted drivers could provide flexible cover without long-term commitment.
Who Needs DG10 Car Insurance?
Most mainstream insurers decline drivers with a drug driving conviction. Here is who typically benefits most from comparing DG10 car insurance quotes through specialist brokers.
Drivers Returning After a Ban
Your disqualification has ended and you need insurance to get back on the road. The ban is over but the anxiety about being judged persists. Specialist brokers handle this situation every day and know which providers accept drivers returning after a DG10 ban.
Drivers With Multiple Endorsements
A DG10 alongside other convictions could make mainstream insurance feel impossible to find. Each additional code compounds the difficulty. Specialist brokers with access to panels that accept complex records could still find you options.
Young Drivers With a DG10
Younger drivers already face higher premiums. Add a drug driving conviction and the stigma feels doubled. Specialist brokers understand that a single mistake should not define your entire driving future.
Prescription Medication Drivers
You were over the specified limit for a prescribed medication you had been taking as directed. The conviction feels especially unjust. Specialist brokers understand the difference between a medicinal oversight and recreational use, and could present your case accordingly.
Drivers Who Need Their Car for Work
If losing your car means losing your job, getting insured quickly after a ban matters. The urgency is real, and specialist brokers understand it. They could fast-track your application to insurers who accept DG10 endorsements.
Worth Knowing: A prescription medication miscalculation and a deliberate decision to drive under the influence both produce the same DG10 code on your licence. Specialist brokers know the difference and could present your case accordingly. Use the form at the top of this page to reach them.
What DG10 Car Insurance Covers
A DG10 endorsement does not change what your policy is designed to cover. It changes how much you pay and which providers will quote you.
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 own 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: Many drivers with a DG10 assume third party only is most affordable. Comprehensive cover could sometimes cost less because it attracts a wider pool of insurers. Always compare all three levels.
What DG10 Car Insurance May Not Cover
Drug driving is treated seriously by insurers. One missed disclosure could mean a declined claim. Here is what DG10 car insurance usually does not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not tell your insurer about your DG10, they could invalidate your policy and decline all claims.
- Driving While Impaired - If you cause an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your insurer could decline your claim.
- Driving During a Ban - If you drive before your disqualification period ends, any policy would be invalid and you would face further criminal charges.
- Undeclared Vehicle Use - If your policy covers social use but you are driving for business, your insurer may decline a claim.
Important Limitations
- Higher Compulsory Excess - Your insurer may set a significantly higher excess after a DG10. Check your policy schedule carefully before accepting.
- Named Driver Restrictions - Some specialist policies may limit who can drive your car or restrict you from being a named driver on other policies.
- Telematics Requirements - Some insurers may require a black box as a condition of providing cover after a drug driving conviction.
- Annual Mileage Caps - Some specialist policies may impose strict mileage limits as a condition of cover.
Extras Worth Adding
Your standard policy is designed to cover the basics. These extras fill gaps that could matter more after a drug driving conviction.
May help cover roadside assistance if your car breaks down away from home. Useful if you rely on your car daily after getting your licence back, subject to policy limits and conditions.
May help cover your legal costs if you need to dispute fault after an accident. Particularly relevant if you already have a serious endorsement and want to protect your record, 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 rebuilt years of no claims since your ban ended. Not every insurer offers this to drivers with drug driving convictions, so check availability, 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 DG10. A black box tracks your speed, braking, and mileage, which could help reduce your premium at renewal, subject to policy limits and conditions.
What Affects the Cost of Car Insurance with a DG10 Conviction?
Your quote depends on how recently you were convicted, the substance involved, and whether you have any other endorsements. The quotes you get will depend on your own details.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Your DG10 conviction | Drug driving is one of the most heavily loaded endorsement codes. Insurers treat it more seriously than most speeding or drink driving convictions because of the near-zero tolerance limits. |
| Time since conviction | A conviction from last year could cost significantly more to insure than one from 5 years ago. Your loading could reduce at each renewal as the DG10 ages. |
| Length of driving ban | A longer ban may signal a more serious offence to insurers. A 12-month ban is treated differently from a 36-month repeat offender ban. |
| Other endorsements on your licence | A DG10 combined with other motoring convictions could push your price up sharply. Multiple endorsements may signal a pattern to insurers. |
| No claims discount | Rebuilding your no claims history after a ban could help reduce your loading over time. Protecting your discount may be worth considering. |
| Your vehicle (group, age, value) | Higher insurance group cars cost more to insure, with or without convictions. Choosing a lower group car could help reduce your overall price. |
| Annual mileage | Lower mileage usually means lower risk. If you drive less than the average, make sure your estimate is accurate. |
| Cover level | Comprehensive cover could cost less than third party only for some convicted drivers. Always compare all three levels. |
Price Insight: A DG10 stays on your licence for 11 years, but your loading could reduce each year as the conviction ages. Comparing quotes at every renewal is essential to make sure your premium reflects the time that has passed.
Ways to Cut Your Car Insurance Cost
A drug driving conviction could push your premium up significantly, but there are practical steps that could bring it closer to an affordable level. New drivers with a DG10 may face even higher premiums. Here are some ways to cut what you pay.
Compare at Every Renewal
Your DG10 loading could reduce each year as the conviction ages. Do not auto-renew without checking. Get quotes above to see whether you could pay less this time around.
Consider a Telematics Policy
A black box tracks your speed, braking, and mileage. After a DG10, this gives your insurer evidence of safe driving rather than relying on assumptions about your conviction.
Choose a Lower Insurance Group Car
If you are buying a car after your ban, checking the insurance group first could make a real difference. A lower group vehicle costs less to insure and could help offset your conviction loading.
Increase Your Voluntary Excess
A higher excess could cut your premium. Only set it at a level you could genuinely afford if you needed to make a claim.
Pay Annually If You Can
Monthly payments include interest charges that add up quickly on a conviction-loaded premium. Paying upfront could reduce what you pay overall.
Build Your No Claims Discount
After a ban, you may need to rebuild your no claims history. Each claim-free year helps. Protecting your discount once rebuilt could save you even more.
Park Off the Street
A driveway or garage is lower risk than on-street parking. If you have off-street parking, make sure your insurer knows about it.
Saving Tip: The stigma of a drug driving conviction can make you feel that high premiums are just something you have to accept. They are not. Your loading should reduce each year. Compare quotes above to check.
How to Compare DG10 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting quotes after a DG10 takes just a few minutes. Here is how it works. Get started above when you are ready.
Enter Your Vehicle Details
Add your registration, make, model, and where you park overnight.
Add Your Personal Details
Enter your name, address, date of birth, and occupation.
Declare Your DG10
Select the DG10 conviction code, enter the date of conviction, and confirm the length of your driving ban. Declare any other endorsements too.
Complete Your Driving Record
Choose your cover level, add your no claims discount, and confirm any previous claims.
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 DG10 conviction carries a stigma that often goes beyond the legal penalty. Whether it involved a prescribed medication you did not realise was still in your system or a recreational substance, the result on your licence looks the same. That can feel deeply unfair, especially when the circumstances were not what people might assume.
The law sets near-zero tolerance limits for 17 specified controlled substances under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Around 20,072 people were sentenced for drug driving offences in England and Wales in 2024 (Home Office). The endorsement stays on your licence for 11 years, far longer than most motoring convictions.
Many mainstream insurers will not quote you with a DG10. Specialist brokers know which insurers accept drug driving convictions and understand the difference between the various circumstances that lead to this code. They could help you find a quote from insurers who treat your application individually.
Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common DG10 Car Insurance Questions
How Long Does a DG10 Stay on My Driving Licence?
A DG10 stays on your licence for 11 years from the conviction date. You must answer your insurer’s questions truthfully, which usually means declaring it for as long as they ask about motoring convictions – often the last 5 years – even though the endorsement remains on your driving record for longer.
Can I Get Car Insurance With a DG10 Drug Driving Conviction?
Yes. Many mainstream insurers will not quote you, but specialist brokers work with panels that accept drug driving convictions. Clean Green Cars introduces you to these brokers.
How Much Does a DG10 Increase Car Insurance?
There is no fixed amount. Your premium could rise significantly. The exact increase depends on your age, vehicle, time since conviction, and any other endorsements on your licence.
What Is the Minimum Driving Ban for a DG10?
The minimum ban is 12 months. If you have a previous drink or drug driving conviction within the last 10 years, the minimum rises to 3 years.
Is a DG10 a Criminal Conviction?
Yes. Drug driving under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is a criminal offence. It could affect employment, travel, and other areas of your life.
When Does a DG10 Become a Spent Conviction?
For most adults, a DG10 conviction with an endorsement will usually become spent 5 years from the date of conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, unless the overall sentence (for example a very long disqualification or custodial sentence) has a longer rehabilitation period. The endorsement stays on your licence for 11 years.
What Drugs Are Covered by DG10?
The law sets limits for 17 controlled substances including cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and heroin. Near-zero tolerance limits apply to recreational drugs. Higher thresholds apply to some prescription medications.
Do I Need to Tell My Insurer About a DG10?
Yes. You must declare your DG10. Failing to do so could invalidate your policy or lead to a declined claim.
Can I Drive for Work With a DG10 on My Licence?
Once your ban has ended, you can drive for work. Your employer may need to know, and some commercial insurers may need to accept the conviction on their policy.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
Clean Green Cars is an FCA-regulated introducer. Your details go to specialist brokers who handle DG10 convictions. They contact you with quotes and there is no obligation to buy.
Related Drug Driving Conviction Codes
DG10 is one of several drug driving endorsement codes used on UK driving licences. Visit the drug driving insurance hub for the full list of DG and DR codes. If you were in charge of a vehicle rather than driving, see DG40 car insurance.
Search & compare quotes from UK DG10 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK - Drug Driving Law - The legal limits for prescribed and illegal drugs when driving in England and Wales.
- GOV.UK - Penalty Points - Find out when your points expire and how the totting-up system works.
- DVLA - Check Your Licence - View your current points and convictions online.
- GOV.UK - Drink and Drug Driving Penalties - How courts decide your sentence for drug driving offences.
