Why Compare DR61 Car Insurance?
A Rare Code Needs Specialist Knowledge
DR61 is one of the least common endorsement codes. Most mainstream insurers have little experience pricing it. Specialist brokers understand the code and know which providers will quote.
Stop Getting Declined
Standard comparison sites may not recognise DR61 at all, or may group it with more serious driving offences. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who understand in-charge refusal codes.
Your Circumstances Matter
Refusing blood analysis after incapacity while not driving is a very specific situation. Specialist brokers assess the full picture behind your DR61, not just the code.
DR61 Car Insurance At A Glance
- DR61 means refusing to allow a blood specimen to be analysed after incapacity, when not driving, under Section 7A(6) 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.
- A DR61 stays on your licence for 11 years from the date of the conviction, which is unusually long for an in-charge offence.
- Need short-term cover? Temporary car insurance with convictions is available while you compare.
- Click the green button above to compare DR61 quotes from specialist brokers.
What Is a DR61 Conviction?
DR61 is one of the rarest drink-related endorsement codes. Understanding the specific circumstances it covers could help when explaining your situation to brokers.
DR61 is the DVLA endorsement code for refusing to allow a specimen of blood to be subjected to laboratory analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive. It is issued under Section 7A(6) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
This code applies in a very specific situation. A blood sample was taken from you while you were incapacitated (for example, unconscious after an incident) and in charge of a vehicle but not driving. When you recovered, you refused to allow that sample to be analysed.
The Section 7A blood sample provision exists so police can gather evidence when a person in charge of a vehicle is unable to consent at the time. Refusing analysis on recovery is treated as a separate offence.
| 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 | 11 years from date of conviction (unusually long for an in-charge offence) |
| Spent After | 1 year from fine date, or 12 months from end of custodial sentence (up to 1 year). Licence endorsement remains for 11 years. |
DR61Can You Get Insurance With a DR61?
Yes, though DR61 is a rare code and many mainstream insurers may not have specific pricing for it. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who handle unusual conviction codes.
A DR61 stays on your licence for 11 years from the date of the conviction, which is unusually long for an in-charge offence. Most insurers ask about convictions from the last 5 years. After that 5-year window, your options tend to open up even though the code remains visible on your licence.
Whether you received a driving ban matters. Because a DR61 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 who understand rare endorsement codes, and each clean year you build may help bring your loading down at renewal.
Who Needs DR61 Car Insurance?
DR61 is one of the rarest conviction codes, and mainstream insurers may not know how to price it. Here is who typically benefits most from comparing DR61 car insurance quotes.
Refused Blood Analysis After an Incident
You were incapacitated after an incident involving your vehicle and a blood sample was taken. On recovery, you refused to allow it to be analysed. The court endorsed your licence with a DR61.
Did Not Understand the Consequences
You were confused or distressed after regaining consciousness and refused the blood test without fully understanding the legal implications. The DR61 is now on your licence.
Medical Concerns After Incapacity
You had medical reasons for refusing the blood analysis after your incapacity, but the court did not accept them as a reasonable excuse. You need a broker experienced with unusual conviction codes.
Discretionary Ban Imposed
The court chose to disqualify you despite the ban being discretionary. You need cover from a specialist broker who handles rare endorsement codes.
Renewal Shock After DR61
Your insurer increased your price sharply or declined to renew after your DR61 was disclosed. You need a specialist quote before your cover expires.
Worth Knowing: DR61 is a rare code that many insurers may not have encountered before. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who handle unusual conviction codes and could find you cover where others cannot.
What DR61 Car Insurance Covers
A DR61 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 DR61 is a rare code, some providers may need specialist handling.
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 DR61, comprehensive cover could actually cost less than third party only. Specialist brokers who handle conviction codes every day know which insurers offer the most competitive rates at each level.
What DR61 Car Insurance May Not Cover
A single exclusion could mean your whole claim gets declined. Here is what DR61 car insurance usually does not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not tell your insurer about your DR61 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 DR61, 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 DR61. 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 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 DR61 Car Insurance?
Your quote depends on whether you were banned, the circumstances of your refusal, and your overall driving history. DR61 is a rare code 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 DR61 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 DR61 | Although the endorsement lasts 11 years, most insurers ask about the last 5 years. Your price could improve each year as the conviction ages. |
| Circumstances of refusal | The unusual nature of DR61 means insurers may ask for more detail. The circumstances of your incapacity and refusal could affect pricing. |
| Other convictions | A DR61 on top of other motoring convictions could push your price up more than the DR61 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 DR61. |
Price Insight: Although the DR61 endorsement lasts 11 years, most insurers ask about convictions from the last 5 years. Each clean year you build could help reduce your loading at renewal.
Ways To Cut Your DR61 Car Insurance Cost
A DR61 could push your premium up, and the 11-year endorsement period means it stays on your licence longer than most in-charge offences. 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 No Ban
If the court did not impose a driving ban, make sure your broker knows. Some insurers price a DR61 without a ban significantly lower.
Build a Clean Record
Each conviction-free, claim-free year after your DR61 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 DR61 on your record.
Saving Tip: Compare quotes above today. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who handle unusual conviction codes.
How To Compare DR61 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting quotes after a DR61 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 DR61
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
DR61 is one of the rarest endorsement codes on the statute books. It covers refusing to allow a blood specimen to be analysed after it was taken during incapacity, when the person was in charge of a vehicle but not driving.
The Section 7A provision exists for cases where someone is incapacitated and cannot consent to a specimen at the time. A blood sample is taken by a medical practitioner, and the person is given the opportunity to refuse analysis once they recover. Refusing at that point constitutes the DR61 offence.
What makes DR61 unusual among in-charge codes is the 11-year endorsement period. Most other in-charge offences like DR40, DR50, and DR60 carry a 4-year endorsement. The 11-year period for DR61 mirrors the driving equivalent (DR31) and reflects the seriousness with which the law treats refusing blood analysis.
From an insurance perspective, the rarity of the code means some insurers may have limited experience pricing it. Specialist brokers who work with convicted drivers every day know which providers will accept unusual codes and can usually find cover at all three levels.
Co-founder
Common DR61 Car Insurance Questions
Related Drink Driving Conviction Pages
A DR61 is closely related to other drink driving codes. If your conviction falls under a different code, you may find these pages helpful.
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 quotesIn charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink
Compare DR50 quotesFailure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive
Compare DR60 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 DR61 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK – Drink Driving Penalties – Official penalties for drink driving and related offences.
- GOV.UK – Check Your Driving Licence – View your licence online, including endorsement codes and expiry dates.
- Legislation.gov.uk – Section 7A RTA 1988 – Full text of the specimens in case of incapacity law.
- Sentencing Council – Sentencing guidelines for motoring offences.
