Why Compare Drink Driving Insurance?
Mainstream Insurers Often Decline DR Codes
A drink driving conviction is one of the most heavily penalised endorsements for insurance. Many standard comparison sites decline DR codes outright. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who work with insurers that assess each case individually.
Your Circumstances Could Shape Your Quote
Whether it was a first offence or involved a ban, insurers look at the full picture. Time since conviction, your record since, and the level of excess alcohol could all affect your pricing. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who understand these details.
Prices Vary Significantly Between Insurers
The difference between quotes for drink driving convictions can be significant. One insurer might decline while another offers competitive cover. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who compare across specialist panels.
Drink Driving Convictions At A Glance
- Specialist brokers who handle drink driving cases daily. DR10 is the most common drink-drive code, with over 217,000 active endorsements on UK licences (as at 2024).
- Cover available from the day your ban ends. Some brokers could arrange a policy within hours of licence restoration.
- All DR codes considered, from DR10 (driving with excess alcohol) through to DR70 (failing to cooperate with a preliminary test).
- Your premium could reduce each year as the conviction ages. Comparing at every renewal catches that improvement.
- Visit the convicted driver insurance hub if you have other endorsements alongside a DR code.
- One click, multiple specialist quotes. Click the green button above to get started.
Drink Driving Penalties and Your Insurance
The penalties for drink driving depend on the offence and whether it involved driving, attempting to drive, or being in charge of a vehicle. Understanding where your conviction sits helps you know what to expect from insurers.
| Offence | Code | Typical Ban | Points | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit | DR10 | 12-36 months | 3-11 | Unlimited |
| Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink | DR20 | 12-36 months | 3-11 | Unlimited |
| Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen | DR30 | 12-36 months | 3-11 | Unlimited |
| In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit | DR40 | May not be banned | 10 | Up to £2,500 |
| In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink | DR50 | May not be banned | 10 | Up to £2,500 |
| Failure to provide a specimen (non-driving circumstances) | DR60 | May not be banned | 10 | Up to £2,500 |
| Failing to cooperate with a preliminary test | DR70 | Discretionary | 4 | Up to £1,000 |
Find Your Drink Driving Code
Each drink driving conviction carries a specific code. Choose yours below for detailed insurance guidance.
Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit. The most common drink driving code.
Compare DR10 quotesDriving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink. Covers impairment rather than being above the prescribed limit.
Compare DR20 quotesDriving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis.
Compare DR30 quotesIn charge of a vehicle when alcohol level above limit. Lower penalties than DR10.
Compare DR40 quotesIn charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink. Applies when you are over the limit but not driving.
Compare DR50 quotesFailure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive.
Compare DR60 quotesFailing to cooperate with a preliminary test.
Compare DR70 quotesWhat Our Expert Says
A drink driving conviction changes your insurance options significantly, but cover is still available. Around 36,000 drink driving convictions were recorded in the UK in 2024 (as at Ministry of Justice data), so insurers that work in this market see these cases regularly.
The most important factor after a ban is time. The first year is typically the most expensive for insurance. Each year you stay conviction-free, your premium could reduce. By year five, many drivers find their quotes approaching standard rates, even though the endorsement remains on their licence for 11 years.
If you were offered a Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Course and completed it, always mention this. It shows you have addressed the offence, and some insurers may factor this into their assessment. The course could also have reduced your ban by up to 25%.
Insurance Expert & Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common 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. 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. If your vehicle was impounded, impound release cover could help you collect it.
Do I Have to Declare a Drink Driving Conviction to My Insurer?
Yes. You must answer your insurer’s questions truthfully, which usually means declaring your drink driving conviction whenever they ask about motoring convictions – typically for at least 5 years, and sometimes longer for more serious DR codes – even though the endorsement may stay on your licence for 11 years. Failing to declare it when asked 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.
How a Drink Driving Ban Affects Your Insurance
A drink driving ban changes your insurance situation significantly. Most mainstream insurers may not offer cover to a driver with an active DR conviction, and those that do often charge substantially more.
The length of your ban matters. A 12-month ban for a first offence is viewed differently from a 36-month ban for a repeat offence. Insurers also consider whether you completed a drink drive rehabilitation course, which could reduce your ban by up to 25%.
After your ban ends, you may need specialist cover. The first year post-ban is typically the most expensive, but premiums could reduce each year as the conviction ages. By the fifth year, many drivers find their quotes returning closer to standard rates, even though the conviction stays on their licence for 11 years.
Telematics car insurance could help rebuild your driving record after a drink driving ban. If you need short-term cover, temporary car insurance for convicted drivers may be available. If you also have speeding or drug driving endorsements, separate guides cover how combined convictions affect pricing. Drivers with a DR code who use a van for work can also find specialist cover.
Search & compare quotes from UK Drink Driving Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- 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.
