Why Compare Drink Driving Insurance?
Drink Driving Convictions and Car Insurance
- Drink driving codes range from excess alcohol (DR10) to failing a breath test (DR70) – specialist brokers handle all eight codes.
- Most drink-drive convictions stay on your licence for 11 years, though insurers typically only ask about the last 5.
- Completing a Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Course (DDRC) could reduce your ban by up to 25% and may help at renewal.
- Start comparing drink driving quotes from specialist brokers using the form above.
Who Needs Drink Driving Conviction Car Insurance?
Failing to declare a drink driving conviction could invalidate your cover when you need it most. Here is who typically needs specialist drink driving insurance.
Worth Knowing: Even if your ban has ended and you have got your licence back, the conviction stays on your record for 11 years. You are legally required to declare it to your insurer for the full duration – not just while you are banned.
Cover Levels for Drivers With Drink-Drive Convictions
A drink driving conviction does not change the types of cover available to you. You can still choose from the same three levels as any other driver, though your insurer could charge more for each one.
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire and Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to your own car | Yes | No | No |
| Fire and theft cover | Yes | Yes | No |
| Damage to other people’s property | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Injury to other people | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windscreen repair | Often included | Rarely | No |
| Personal accident cover | Often included | Optional | No |
Please note that policy features, benefits, terms and conditions vary among insurance providers, so always check the policy wording.
Cover Tip: After a drink-drive ban, comprehensive cover could actually cost less than third party only. It is worth comparing all three levels rather than assuming the most competitive tier is the most competitive price.
What Might Not Be Covered?
A single exclusion could mean your whole claim gets declined. Here is what drink driving insurance usually does not cover.
- Undeclared Convictions – Your insurer may decline a claim if you did not declare your drink driving conviction accurately.
- Driving Under the Influence – No policy covers you if you drive while impaired by drink or drugs at the time of a claim.
- Racing or Track Use – Damage from racing, rallying, or track days is not covered under standard policies.
- Wear and Tear – Normal deterioration over time is not covered. Only sudden, unexpected events count.
- Named Drivers Only – If someone not listed on your policy drives your car and crashes, your insurer may decline the claim.
- Conviction Accuracy – Getting your code wrong (for example, declaring DR40 when you actually have DR10) could invalidate your cover entirely. Check your DVLA record before applying.
Standard Exclusions
Important Limitations
Optional Extras Worth Considering
Your base policy covers the essentials after a drink driving conviction. These optional extras could be worth adding for a bit more protection on the road.
Cover Tip: Legal expenses and breakdown cover are often worth adding after a drink-drive conviction – your options for switching insurer mid-policy may be more limited, so getting the right extras from the start could save hassle later.
May help cover roadside assistance if your car breaks down or will not start, subject to policy limits and conditions.
May help cover your legal costs after a crash that was not your fault, depending on your policy terms.
May help cover the cost of replacing your keys if you lose them or someone steals them, subject to policy limits and conditions.
May help you get your excess back after a non-fault claim, subject to insurer acceptance criteria.
May help you claim back losses from the other driver, depending on your policy terms.
What Affects Your Drink Driving Insurance Price
Your quote depends on your specific code, your drivers, and how your vehicle is used. Here are the key factors that could affect your price.
| Factor | How It Could Affect Your Price |
|---|---|
| Your DR Code | DR10 (excess alcohol) is the most common. In-charge codes (DR40, DR50) may cost less to insure than driving offences. |
| Time Since Conviction | Prices could reduce as your conviction ages. Most insurers ask about the last 5 years, even though the code stays on your licence for 11. |
| Ban Length | A longer ban often means a higher loading when you return to driving. Repeat offenders face a minimum 3-year ban. |
| DDRC Completion | Completing a Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Course could reduce your ban by up to 25% and may be viewed favourably by some insurers. |
| No Claims Discount | Years of claim-free driving still count. A strong NCD could offset some of the conviction loading. |
| Vehicle Type | Lower insurance group cars cost less to insure, even with a drink-drive record. |
| Annual Mileage | Fewer miles could mean a lower price. If you drive less than you used to, update your mileage. |
| Where You Live | Your postcode affects your premium. Areas with higher claim rates typically cost more. |
| Age and Experience | Younger drivers with a drink-drive conviction could face higher prices. More experience and a clean record going forward may help. |
Price Insight: The gap between your code and your price is often bigger than you expect. A DR40 (in charge, not driving) with a clean claims record could get a very different quote from a DR10 with a recent claim.
How to Pay Less for Drink Driving Car Insurance
A drink driving conviction could push your premium up, but there are steps you could take to bring it down. Here are some practical ways to reduce what you pay.
Saving Tip: Specialist brokers could offer a better price than your current insurer, especially once you have completed a DDRC and built up some claim-free years after your ban.
How to Compare Drink Driving Insurance Quotes
Getting a quote with a drink driving conviction can feel difficult when mainstream insurers say no. Here is how the process works. Get started above when you are ready.
What Our Expert Says
Drink driving is the most common conviction code category on UK roads. DR10 alone - driving or attempting to drive with excess alcohol - makes up the majority of all drink-drive convictions. It carries a minimum 12-month ban and stays on your licence for 11 years from the date of conviction.
The key thing to understand is that your ban length and your endorsement length are different. Your ban might be 12 months, but the conviction sits on your DVLA record for 11 years. Insurers can see it the whole time, though most only ask about the last 5 years. Once you pass that 5-year window, your options tend to open up and prices could start to come down.
– Susan Difford, Insurance Expert & Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Drink Driving Insurance Questions
Can You Get Car Insurance With a Drink Driving Conviction?
Yes. A drink driving conviction does not prevent you from getting car insurance. Mainstream insurers may decline you or charge significantly more, but specialist brokers work with insurers who accept DR codes. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who handle drink-drive convictions regularly.
How Long Does a Drink Driving Conviction Stay on Your Licence?
A drink driving conviction stays on your licence for 11 years from the date of conviction if you were disqualified (banned). If you received points only (for example, a DR40 or DR50 in-charge offence with no ban), the endorsement lasts 4 years from the date of offence.
How Long Does a Drink Driving Conviction Affect Your Insurance?
Most insurers ask about convictions from the last 5 years, even though a drink-drive endorsement stays on your licence for 11 years. After 5 years, your options could open up and prices may start to come down. Some insurers ask about unspent convictions, which means the conviction could affect you for longer under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
How Much Does Drink Driving Increase Insurance?
The increase varies widely depending on your code, your driving history, and your insurer. There is no fixed percentage. In-charge offences (DR40, DR50) may result in a smaller loading than driving offences (DR10, DR20). Comparing quotes from specialist brokers is the most reliable way to find out what your conviction could cost.
What Is a Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Course (DDRC)?
A DDRC is an approved course offered by the court at sentencing. If you complete it, your driving ban could be reduced by up to 25%. The course is not free – costs vary by provider but typically range from around 150 to 250 pounds. Courts decide whether to offer it based on the circumstances of your offence.
Can You Get Insured After a Drink Driving Ban?
Yes. Once your ban ends and you have your licence back, you can get insured. You will still need to declare the conviction for the full endorsement period (11 years for disqualification offences). Specialist brokers can help you find cover as soon as your ban is lifted.
Do I Have to Declare a Drink Driving Conviction to My Insurer?
Yes. You are legally required to declare your drink driving conviction to your insurer for as long as it remains on your licence. Failing to declare it could invalidate your policy, meaning any claim you make may be declined. Always check your DVLA record to confirm your exact code and offence date before applying.
What Is the Difference Between DR10 Conviction and DR20 Conviction?
DR10 means you were caught driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit – it is based on a test result. DR20 means the police judged you were unfit to drive through drink, regardless of your exact blood alcohol level. Both carry a minimum 12-month ban, but insurers may treat them slightly differently depending on the circumstances.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who accept drink driving convictions. After you submit the form, brokers who handle your specific DR code will come back with quotes. You can compare prices and choose the cover that suits you. There is no obligation to buy, and your details are handled in line with UK data protection rules.
Drink Driving Conviction Codes
Each drink driving conviction code carries different penalties and affects your insurance differently. Select a code below to find out what it means for your cover and compare quotes from specialist brokers.
Search & compare quotes from UK Drink Driving Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
Drink driving laws and penalty codes can be complex. These official resources explain how the system works.
- GOV.UK – Drink Driving Penalties – Official guidance on drink driving fines, bans, and prison sentences in England and Wales.
- GOV.UK – Drink Drive Limit – The legal alcohol limits for driving in England, Wales, and Scotland.
- 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.
