Why Compare DR70 Car Insurance?
Specialist Brokers for DR70 Convictions
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who handle DR70 convictions for failing to cooperate with a preliminary breath, blood, or urine test. Even though this offence carries 4 penalty points, many mainstream insurers may treat it as seriously as a positive test result.
Insurers View DR70 Differently
Some insurers may load premiums heavily for a DR70 refusal to provide a specimen, while others could take a more balanced view. Comparing quotes from multiple specialist brokers may help you find a more fairly priced policy.
One Form Covers Everything
Rather than repeatedly explaining why you received a DR70 conviction to different brokers, Clean Green Cars lets you fill in one form and receive quotes from several specialists with no obligation to proceed.
DR70 Car Insurance At A Glance
- Your DR70 could still qualify you for comprehensive cover through convicted driver specialists.
- Your premium loading may reduce each renewal year as the endorsement ages.
- Unlike a DR30 (failing to provide a specimen while driving), a DR70 carries no proof of impairment and the penalties are lighter.
- A telematics policy could help demonstrate safe driving after your conviction.
- Need short-term cover? Temporary car insurance with convictions is available while you compare.
- Click the green button above to compare DR70 quotes from specialist brokers.
What Is a DR70 Conviction?
A DR70 conviction is given when a driver fails to co-operate with a preliminary test requested by a police officer. Insurers treat DR70 as a drink-drive related code, even though it is the least severe in the DR category.
A DR70 stays on your driving licence for four years from the date of the offence, and most insurers ask about it for up to five years. You must declare it for as long as it appears on your licence.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | 4 penalty points (fixed). Unlike some other DR codes where points range from 3 to 11, a DR70 always results in exactly 4 points. This is the lowest point allocation among all DR-category offences. If you accumulate 12 or more points within 3 years, you could face a totting-up disqualification. New drivers who have held a full licence for less than 2 years lose their licence at just 6 points under the New Drivers Act 1995. |
| Driving Ban | A DR70 conviction carries a discretionary driving ban, meaning the court may disqualify you but is not required to do so. This is different from more serious drink-drive offences like DR10 or DR30, which carry an obligatory ban of at least 12 months. Many drivers convicted of DR70 keep their licence, though 4 penalty points are always imposed. |
| Maximum Fine | The maximum fine for a DR70 is £1,000 (Level 3 on the standard scale). This is the lowest maximum fine among all DR-category offences. For comparison, DR40 to DR60 carry a maximum fine of £2,500, while DR10, DR20, and DR30 carry unlimited fines. There is no possibility of imprisonment for a DR70. |
| Time on Licence | DR70 penalty points stay on your driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence, or 4 years from the date of conviction where a disqualification is imposed. This is significantly shorter than DR10, DR20, or DR30 convictions, which remain on your licence for 11 years. However, most insurers ask you to declare convictions from the last 5 years. This means you may still need to tell your insurer about your DR70 for up to a year after the points have come off your licence. |
| Spent After | Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a DR70 conviction resulting in a fine becomes spent after 1 year from the date the fine was imposed. Once the conviction is spent, you do not need to disclose it for most purposes, such as job applications. |
DR70Can You Get Insurance With a DR70 Conviction?
Yes. A DR70 for failing to provide a specimen for a breath test carries fewer points than most DR codes, so insurers may view it more favourably, though your price could still increase. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who handle convicted driver insurance regularly.
A DR70 carries 4 penalty points with a discretionary disqualification. A fine-only sentence typically becomes spent 1 year after conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The conviction stays on your licence for four years from the date of the offence, and you must declare it to your insurer for as long as they ask about it.
Some insurers ask about unspent convictions only, while others may ask about convictions over a longer period. Always read the question carefully before answering. A Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Course may be offered by the court, which could help reduce your disqualification period if one was imposed.
Specialist brokers who work with convicted drivers every day know which insurers consider DR70 convictions. If you drive professionally, courier insurance with a conviction may also be available through specialist brokers. Clean Green Cars introduces you to these brokers, so you could compare quotes from insurers experienced with drink-drive offences.
Who Needs DR70 Car Insurance?
Standard insurers often load your price heavily after a drink-drive related conviction. If your preliminary test involved a drug screening, the DG category may also apply. Here is who typically benefits most from comparing DR70 car insurance quotes.
Panicked at the Roadside
The officer asked you to take a roadside test and you froze. Maybe you did not understand the instructions, or the situation felt overwhelming. Now you have 4 points and a drink-drive code for something that feels disproportionate. Specialist brokers understand and could find you fair cover.
Points-Only Outcome
You received 4 penalty points but no ban. You can still drive, but mainstream insurers may charge you more or decline to quote because of the DR prefix. Specialist brokers know which insurers price DR70 proportionately.
After Discretionary Ban
The court imposed a ban even though DR70 does not carry a mandatory one. Now you need cover to get back on the road. Specialist brokers can find options once your ban ends.
Alongside Other Endorsements
Your DR70 sits alongside other points or convictions. Even though DR70 is the lightest DR code, the combination can make mainstream insurers cautious. Specialist brokers handle complex records regularly.
First Time Declaring
You have never had to declare a conviction before and the process feels unfamiliar and stressful. Specialist brokers guide you through what to disclose and may find competitive quotes despite the DR70.
Worth Knowing: DR70 is specifically for failing a roadside screening test - not the evidential test at the station. If you refused the station test, that would be DR30 or DR60 depending on whether you were driving. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who understand these distinctions.
What DR70 Car Insurance Covers
A DR70 on your licence does not change what your policy can cover. It changes how much you pay and which insurers may quote you. Some standard insurers may decline, but specialist brokers in many cases can find you cover at each level.
Here is what each level of cover may include. Please note that policy features, benefits, terms and conditions vary among insurance insurers, 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: DR70 is the lightest drink-drive code, with just 4 points and a 4-year retention. You may find that most cover levels remain available to you, including comprehensive. Comparing across both specialist and standard brokers could give you the widest choice.
What DR70 Car Insurance May Not Cover
A single exclusion could mean your whole claim gets turned down. If your vehicle was impounded, see impound release cover. Here is what DR70 car insurance usually may not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not tell your insurer about your conviction or any related endorsements, they could invalidate your policy and may decline all claims.
- Driving Under the Influence - If you cause an accident while impaired by drink or drugs, your insurer could decline your claim regardless of any other conviction on your record.
- Undeclared Vehicle Use - If your policy covers social use but you are driving for business, your insurer could decline a claim for using the vehicle outside your policy terms.
- Racing or Track Use - Standard policies typically do not 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.
Optional Cover Add-Ons
Your base policy covers the essentials. These extras could add useful protection on top of your DR70 cover.
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 DR70 Conviction?
A DR70 falls under the drink driving convictions category and carries 4 penalty points with a possible fine of up to £1,000. The loading is usually less than a DR10 or DR30. Here are the key factors that could affect your price.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Your DR70 conviction | DR70 is for failing to cooperate with a preliminary breath test. It carries 4 penalty points and a possible fine of up to £1,000. Some mainstream insurers may still quote, but others may decline. |
| Points on your licence | DR70 typically carries 4 penalty points rather than a mandatory ban. Points remain on your licence for 4 years, and the number of points you hold overall could affect the price brokers can obtain for you. |
| Ban imposed or not | Although DR70 does not carry a mandatory ban, a court may still impose a discretionary one. If a ban was given, its length could push prices higher than a points-only outcome. |
| Time since the offence | As time passes and you build a clean record, the impact of a DR70 on your price may reduce. The full 4-year endorsement period applies, but many insurers place less weight on older convictions. |
| Other convictions or endorsements | A DR70 alongside other endorsements may be viewed more cautiously by standard insurers. Specialist brokers can often approach markets that assess the full picture. |
| Vehicle type and insurance group | Higher-value or higher-performance vehicles attract a greater base price. Choosing a vehicle in a lower insurance group may help moderate the overall cost. |
| No claims discount | A no claims discount may still be applied by some specialist insurers, which could partially offset the additional loading associated with the DR70 endorsement. |
| Annual mileage | Lower declared mileage may be viewed positively by some insurers and could have a modest effect on the quotes available to you. |
Price Insight: DR70 carries only 4 points and a discretionary ban. The premium impact is generally the lowest of all the DR codes. Some mainstream insurers may still quote competitively, especially if the rest of your record is clean.
Ways to Cut Your Car Insurance Cost
A DR70 could push your convicted driver insurance premium up, but there are steps you could take to bring it down. Here are some ways to cut what you pay.
Compare at Every Renewal
Do not auto-renew. With only 4 points and a 4-year retention, your DR70 loading may typically reduce faster than heavier DR codes. Comparing each year could reveal the improvement.
Try Both Specialist and Mainstream
DR70 is the lightest drink-drive code. Some mainstream insurers may still quote you competitively, especially if the rest of your record is clean. Compare across both specialist and standard brokers.
Consider Telematics Cover
A black box tracks your driving. After a DR70, consistent safe driving evidence could help bring your renewal down.
Choose a Lower Group Car
A vehicle in a lower insurance group costs less to insure. Checking the group before you buy could help offset the conviction loading.
Increase Your Voluntary Excess
A higher excess may typically reduce your premium. Set it at a level you could genuinely afford.
Add an Experienced Named Driver
Adding a more experienced driver with a clean licence could help balance how insurers view your application.
Use Secure Parking
A driveway or garage is lower risk than on-street parking. Make sure your insurer knows where you keep the car.
Saving Tip: With only 4 points and a four-year retention, DR70 clears relatively quickly. If your conviction is approaching the four-year mark, it may be worth timing your renewal to fall just after it expires – you could see a noticeable drop in quotes.
How To Compare DR70 Car Insurance Quotes
A DR70 for failing to co-operate with a preliminary test is treated as seriously as a drink driving conviction by most insurers. Here is how to get quotes from brokers who specialise in these cases. 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 DR70
Select the DR70 conviction code, enter the date of offence, and the 4 penalty points. 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
Failing to co-operate with a roadside test can happen in a moment of panic or confusion. Perhaps you did not understand the instructions, or the situation felt intimidating. Whatever the reason, a DR70 on your licence now affects your insurance - even though it says nothing about whether you were actually over the limit.
DR70 relates to failing to co-operate with a preliminary test - that could be a roadside breath test, an impairment test, or a drug screening. It carries 4 penalty points and stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
Despite being the lightest code in the DR range, insurers still treat DR70 as drink-drive related. Your quotes could rise, and some standard insurers may decline to cover you. That can feel out of proportion for an offence that carries just 4 points.
Specialist brokers understand that a DR70 does not mean you were drink driving. They know which insurers price it proportionately and which ones treat it as a red flag regardless.
Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common DR70 Car Insurance Questions
How Much Does a DR70 Conviction Increase My Car Insurance?
There is no fixed increase. Your quote depends on your age, vehicle, and how recently the offence happened. Specialist brokers who handle DR70 convictions could find you a competitive price.
How Long Does a DR70 Stay on My Licence?
A DR70 stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence, or 4 years from the date of conviction where a disqualification is imposed. Many insurers ask about recent motoring convictions, often around 5 years, but this varies by insurer, so the insurance impact could reduce well before the endorsement itself expires.
What Is the Difference Between DR70 and DR30?
DR70 is the DVLA endorsement code for failing to co-operate with a preliminary roadside test such as a breath test, impairment test, or drug screening. It appears on your driving licence and must be declared to insurers.
Can I Still Get Comprehensive Cover With a DR70?
Yes. Many specialist brokers can arrange Comprehensive, Third Party Fire and Theft, or Third Party Only cover for drivers with a DR70. Your options may be more limited with standard insurers, which is why comparing through a specialist could help.
Do I Have To Declare My DR70 To My Insurer?
Yes. You must declare a DR70 to your insurer for as long as they ask about it – usually 5 years. Failing to declare could invalidate your cover. Be honest and let specialist brokers find you a fair price based on full disclosure.
Will a DR70 Affect My Driving Record After 4 Years?
Your DR70 points come off your licence after 4 years from the date of the offence. After that, most insurers stop asking about it. However, some insurers ask about convictions from the last 5 years, so you may still need to mention it briefly at renewal.
Will I Need To Take an Extended Driving Test After a DR70?
A court may order an extended driving test if you are disqualified for a DR70. This is more common with longer bans. If required, you could not drive unsupervised until you pass.
How Many Penalty Points Does a DR70 Carry?
A DR70 conviction carries 4 penalty points. These remain on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence. Some insurers may ask about points for up to 5 years.
Is a DR70 Treated the Same as a Drink Driving Conviction?
A DR70 is a drink-drive-related offence but it is not the same as being convicted of driving while over the limit (DR10). However, insurers may treat it similarly, so premiums could still rise significantly.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
After you submit your details, Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who cover drivers with DR70 convictions. They review your information and send you quotes. You’re not committed to anything by submitting the form.
Related DR Conviction Codes
DR70 is one of several drink-drive-related conviction codes. If you have a different DR code on your licence, the pages below could help you find suitable cover.
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 quotesRefusing to allow a specimen of blood to be subjected to laboratory analysis when not driving
Compare DR61 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 DR70 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK – Drink Driving Penalties – How drink driving fines, bans, and points work in England and Wales.
- GOV.UK – Penalty Points – Check how many points you have and when they expire.
- GOV.UK – View Your Driving Licence – Check your licence online to see your current points and convictions.
