Why Compare DG10 Car Insurance?
DG10 Is One Of The More Difficult Conviction Codes To Insure
A drug driving conviction stays on your licence for 11 years. Some mainstream insurers may decline to quote for car insurance altogether. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who work with providers that may accept DG10 endorsements and could find you an attractive price.
Compare Quotes At Renewal
A DG10 conviction can increase car insurance costs. Compare available quotes at renewal, checking the cover, excess and total payable. Do not assume your premium will fall each year.
One Form Reaches Multiple Specialist Brokers
Rather than approaching brokers one at a time, Clean Green Cars puts you in touch with several who regularly handle drug driving convictions. You fill in one form and get matched to brokers with access to panels that consider DG10 car insurance applications.
DG10 Car Insurance At A Glance
- DG10 covers driving or attempting to drive with a specified controlled drug above the legal limit.
- A DG10 normally leads to a driving ban of at least 12 months. Other possible penalties include an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison. See GOV.UK drug-driving penalties.
- Your DG10 endorsement stays on your driving record for 11 years from conviction, according to GOV.UK endorsement guidance.
- Click the green button above to compare DG10 quotes from specialist brokers.
Can You Get Annual Car Insurance With A DG10?
You may be able to get annual car insurance with a DG10 conviction through a specialist broker. Acceptance depends on the insurer and your circumstances. Clean Green Cars is an introducer to brokers who may be able to explore suitable options. Check the cover, excess and restrictions before choosing a policy.
Does A DG10 On Your Driving Record Always Need Declaring?
A DG10 stays on your driving record for 11 years from conviction, according to GOV.UK. That does not mean you must disclose it to a car insurer for all 11 years.
For England and Wales, Ministry of Justice guidance says spent convictions do not need to be disclosed when applying for insurance. Whether your conviction is spent depends on the sentence and applicable rehabilitation rules. Check your position before answering, and use the relevant guidance if you live elsewhere in the UK.
Read more about when to tell your insurer about a DG10 conviction.
What Is A DG10 Conviction?
DG10 is a statutory offence under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, introduced by the Crime and Courts Act 2013 - driving or attempting to drive with a specified controlled drug above the legal limit. Here's how the law defines it:
- Who it applies to - Any driver who provides a blood specimen showing a specified controlled drug above the legal limit set for that drug. DG10 covers actual driving or attempting to drive - being "in charge" of a vehicle while over the limit is a separate offence.
- Drug limits and prescribed medicines - Specified limits differ between substances. Prescribed medicines have important qualifications, explained in GOV.UK drug-driving guidance.
- Penalties and endorsement period - A DG10 normally leads to a driving ban of at least 12 months. Other possible penalties include an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison. See GOV.UK drug-driving penalties. Longer minimum bans can apply depending on previous convictions and disqualifications; see the Sentencing Council guidance for England and Wales. The DG10 endorsement stays on your driving record for 11 years from conviction, according to GOV.UK.
This summary reflects general guidance based on current legislation at the time of writing and is not legal advice. Penalties and endorsement rules may vary depending on individual circumstances and may change over time. Drivers should check official sources such as GOV.UK or seek professional advice if they are unsure how the law applies to them.
Illegal Drugs - Specified Limits
The following table lists specified blood limits for these substances (as at March 2015). Limits differ between substances. Check current official guidance and the rules where you drive.
| 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
These are specified limits for the listed medicines (as at March 2015). GOV.UK explains that you can drive after taking prescribed medicines as advised if they are not making you unfit to drive, even above specified limits. See the prescription-medicine guidance.
| 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 |
Penalties and fines are based on current legislation at the time of writing and may change. Sentences vary depending on individual circumstances. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.
DG10Who Needs DG10 Car Insurance?
Many mainstream car 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 regularly and know which providers may 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 insurers that accept complex records may be able to 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
If your conviction involved prescribed medication, check that your application accurately reflects the conviction and sentence. Specialist brokers may be able to explain your circumstances to insurers that consider DG10 applications.
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 may be able to prioritise applications with insurers that consider DG10 endorsements.
Worth Knowing: GOV.UK guidance explains that prescribed medicines taken following professional advice may be compatible with driving above specified limits if they are not making you unfit to drive. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure whether you should drive.
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 typically may 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's what DG10 car insurance usually does not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - Incorrect answers about convictions that you are required to disclose could affect your cover or a claim. Check whether the conviction is spent and answer the application questions accurately.
- 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 typically 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. This means the amount you would need to pay towards any successful claim before the insurer contributes could increase. 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 DG10 insurance 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 may 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 (up to set limits) 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 may help reduce your premium at renewal, subject to policy limits and conditions.
How Can You Compare The Cost Of DG10 Insurance?
Compare DG10 quotes using the same vehicle details, mileage, use and cover level. Check the total annual price, compulsory and voluntary excesses, and any restrictions.
If you are considering monthly payments, compare the total payable as well as the instalments. A lower headline price may come with different cover or a higher excess.
| Key Factor | Impact on your price |
|---|---|
| Your DG10 conviction | A DG10 conviction may affect insurer acceptance and the price quoted. Terms and eligibility vary by insurer. |
| Time since conviction | Insurers assess applications using their own criteria. Do not assume your premium will fall at each renewal as the DG10 gets older. |
| 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 conviction can increase car insurance costs. Compare available quotes at renewal, checking the cover, excess and total payable. Do not assume your premium will fall each year.
Ways To Help 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 that may help reduce what you pay.
Compare At Every Renewal
Compare available quotes at renewal using the same details. Check the cover, excess and total payable; a lower premium is not guaranteed.
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 typically 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 often 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.
Comparison Tip: Check available quotes before renewing. Compare the cover, excess and total payable, rather than assuming your premium will fall as the conviction gets older.
What Information Should You Have Ready For A DG10 Quote?
Have your driving record and vehicle details ready before you apply. Check the DG10 conviction date, any disqualification dates and other endorsements. You may also be asked about your claims history, no claims discount, annual mileage and how you use the car.
Answer the questions asked accurately. If you are unsure whether a conviction is spent, check the disclosure guidance before completing the application.
DVLA's online service lets Great Britain licence holders check their driving record, including penalty points and disqualifications.
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.
Check Conviction Disclosure
Check which convictions the application asks about and whether yours is spent. Provide the DG10 conviction date and disqualification details where disclosure is required. If unsure, seek guidance before answering.
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
Many mainstream insurers may not quote you with a DG10. Specialist brokers are familiar with insurers that consider 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.
Insurance Expert & Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common DG10 Car Insurance Questions
How Long Does A DG10 Stay On My Driving Licence?
GOV.UK lists an 11-year endorsement period from the conviction date for DG10. The period on your driving record is separate from the rules about spent convictions and insurance disclosure. Check the official endorsement guidance.
Can I Get Car Insurance With A DG10 Drug Driving Conviction?
Cover may be available through specialist brokers, depending on insurer acceptance and your circumstances. Clean Green Cars is an introducer to brokers who may be able to explore annual cover options.
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?
A DG10 normally leads to a driving ban of at least 12 months. Longer minimum bans can apply. For adults in England and Wales, the Sentencing Council guideline specifies at least three years where a relevant previous conviction falls within the 10 years before the current offence. It also sets out a two-year minimum in certain cases involving previous disqualifications. The applicable sentence depends on the circumstances.
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?
The date depends on the sentence and applicable rehabilitation rules, not just the DG10 code. The endorsement period on your driving record is a separate matter. Check the Ministry of Justice guidance for England and Wales, or the relevant guidance where you live.
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?
When applying for insurance, answer questions about unspent convictions accurately. Ministry of Justice guidance for England and Wales says spent convictions do not need to be disclosed. Check your circumstances using the DG10 disclosure guide before answering if you are unsure.
Can I Drive For Work With A DG10 On My Licence?
A DG10 does not automatically prevent all driving for work. Before driving, your ban must have ended, you must have the correct licence entitlement, and your insurance must cover the intended use. Your employer may also have requirements. Check GOV.UK guidance on returning after disqualification.
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 sits within the wider drug driving endorsement codes family. It is closest to DG40 in charge above the drug limit, while DR80 unfit through drugs covers impairment rather than a specified drug limit.
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 - Drug Driving Penalties - Official guidance on the possible penalties for drug driving.
