Why Compare LC20 Car Insurance?
Insurers Price LC20 Differently
One insurer could add a heavy loading for a licence offence while another barely changes your quote. Comparing lets you see which brokers work with LC20 drivers regularly. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who handle licence endorsements every day.
Specialist Brokers Know Which Insurers Accept LC20
Mainstream comparison sites may not show results for drivers with endorsements. Specialist brokers already know which insurers are comfortable with LC20 convictions and can match your details to the right panel. Clean Green Cars connects you with these brokers so you can compare quotes quickly.
Your Loading Could Drop Over Time
An LC20 stays on your licence for 4 years, but the insurance loading often reduces each year. Comparing at renewal could reveal a lower price as your conviction ages. Clean Green Cars puts you in touch with brokers who understand how time since offence affects your premium.
Car Insurance With an LC20 Conviction At A Glance
- LC20 relates to driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence – one of the most common endorsement codes in the UK
- Carries 3 to 6 penalty points and stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of offence
- Specialist brokers can usually place LC20 cases without difficulty, as insurers generally view it as a lower-risk endorsement
- Your premium loading could reduce each year as the conviction ages on your record
- Fill in the form above to compare quotes from specialist brokers who handle licence endorsements
What Is an LC20 Conviction?
LC20 is a statutory offence under Section 87 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 – driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. Here’s how the law defines it:
- Who it applies to – Any driver on a public road who is driving a vehicle their licence does not authorise them to drive, or who is driving in a way that breaches the conditions of their licence.
- What counts as driving otherwise than in accordance with licence – Driving a category of vehicle you are not entitled to drive, driving a manual car on an automatic-only licence, driving without displaying L-plates as a provisional licence holder, driving unaccompanied on a provisional licence, or driving outside any specific restrictions placed on your licence.
- How the duty arises – From the moment you start driving on a public road. Licence offences like LC20 are particularly important because driving outside your licence entitlement can also invalidate your insurance – a key reason to take this code seriously.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | An LC20 carries 3 to 6 penalty points. The exact number is set by the court based on the circumstances of the offence. For new drivers who have held a full licence for less than 2 years, 6 or more points could trigger a licence revocation under the New Drivers Act 1995. |
| Driving Ban | A driving ban for an LC20 is discretionary, not automatic. The court may choose to disqualify you, but most LC20 offences result in penalty points rather than a ban. |
| Maximum Fine | The maximum fine for an LC20 offence is £1,000. The actual amount depends on the circumstances and the court's assessment of severity. |
| Time on Licence | An LC20 stays on your driving licence for 4 years from the date of offence. Most insurers ask you to declare endorsements for up to 5 years, so you may need to mention it even after it leaves your licence. |
| Spent After | Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, an LC20 conviction becomes spent relatively quickly. A fine typically becomes spent after 1 year (or 6 months for under-18s). Once spent, you do not need to disclose it for most purposes, but insurers can still ask about spent convictions and you must answer honestly. |
LC20Can You Get Insurance With an LC20?
Yes, but the market is narrower than for a standard policy, and you’ll almost always need a specialist broker. Here’s what to know before you compare:
- Points and ban – 3 to 6 penalty points, with the court setting the exact number based on circumstances. A driving ban is discretionary and unusual for LC20, but new drivers within their first 2 years face licence revocation at 6 points.
- Time on your record – 4 years on the DVLA endorsement, and most insurers ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
- When it’s spent – A fine-only LC20 is spent 1 year after conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (6 months for under-18s). Insurers can still ask about spent convictions, and you must answer honestly.
- Disclosure always matters – Non-disclosure can invalidate the policy and lead to a claim being declined. Because LC20 relates directly to licence entitlement, insurers pay close attention to whether you now hold the correct licence for the vehicle you’re insuring.
- Treated as a licence offence – Insurers weigh licence offences differently to mechanical codes because of the direct link to policy validity. A single LC20 on an otherwise clean record may still attract a moderate loading rather than a refusal.
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers experienced with licence offences. If you need short-term cover while comparing, temporary car insurance with convictions may bridge the gap.
Who Needs LC20 Car Insurance?
Standard insurers may load your price or limit cover after a licence endorsement. Here is who typically needs specialist LC20 car insurance.
Drove The Wrong Category Vehicle
You assumed your car licence covered a slightly larger vehicle, or drove a car on a motorcycle-only provisional. Category rules are confusing, and a genuine misunderstanding has landed you with a conviction.
Licence Expired Without You Realising
The renewal reminder never arrived, or you missed it among junk mail. You had no idea you were driving on an expired licence until you were stopped or tried to renew.
Breached Learner Conditions
You drove on a motorway, without L plates, or without a qualified passenger beside you. The rules felt restrictive and the breach felt minor, but the law treats every condition as absolute.
Provisional Holder Forgot The Supervising Driver
Your supervisor could not make the journey and you drove alone just this once. A single trip without the required accompanying driver was enough for an LC20 and a cascade of insurance problems.
Moved From Abroad And Did Not Convert Your Licence
You assumed your overseas licence was valid in the UK, or thought you had longer to exchange it. The conversion rules are buried in government websites, and missing the deadline means you were technically unlicensed.
Worth Knowing: LC20 is one of the most common licence endorsements, and most drivers who receive one had no idea they were breaking the rules. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who understand this and work with insurers who price it accordingly.
What LC20 Car Insurance Covers
An LC20 on your licence does not change what your policy is designed to cover – it changes how much you pay. Here is what each level of cover could include.
Cover features depend on insurer terms, driver eligibility, and how the vehicle is used.
| 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: Not realising your licence did not cover a particular vehicle and deliberately driving without one both produce the same LC20 code. Specialist brokers understand the difference and can find cover that reflects your actual situation.
What LC20 Car Insurance May Not Cover
A single exclusion could mean a declined claim. Here is what LC20 car insurance usually may not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not tell your insurer about your LC20 or any other endorsements, they could invalidate your policy entirely.
- Driving Outside Licence Conditions - If you drive a vehicle category your licence does not cover while insured, your insurer may decline any claim arising from that journey.
- Wear and Tear - Gradual damage to your car, like worn tyres or rust, is not covered by any motor policy.
- Intentional Damage - Any damage you cause deliberately to your own vehicle is excluded from all policies.
Important Limitations
- Higher Excess - Your insurer may set a higher compulsory excess because of your LC20. Check your policy documents before you agree.
- Named Driver Restrictions - Some policies may limit who else can drive your car after a licence endorsement.
- Vehicle Value Cap - Some convicted driver policies may cap the value of car they will insure.
- Mileage Limits - Some insurers may impose annual mileage limits as a condition of cover after an endorsement.
Optional Extras Worth Considering
Your standard policy is designed to cover the basics. These extras could fill gaps that matter after an endorsement.
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. Could help reduce your premium over time, subject to insurer acceptance criteria.
What Affects the Cost of Car Insurance with a LC20 Conviction?
Your quote depends on the number of points you received and any other endorsements on your licence. Here are the key factors that could affect your price.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Number of penalty points | An LC20 carries 3 to 6 points. Fewer points generally means a smaller loading on your premium. |
| Time since your LC20 | Your price could drop each year. An LC20 from 3 years ago may cost less to insure than a recent one. |
| Other endorsements | An LC20 on top of other motoring convictions could push your price up more sharply. |
| Your age | Younger drivers often pay more after a conviction. If you are under 25, the increase could be bigger. |
| Your car | Higher insurance group cars cost more to insure, with or without endorsements. |
| Where you live | Your postcode affects your base price before your LC20 loading is added. |
| Your driving history | A clean claims record alongside your LC20 could help keep the loading down. |
| Cover level chosen | Third party only is usually the lowest-priced option, but comprehensive may offer better value if your car is worth protecting. |
Price Insight: Many LC20 convictions happen through genuine confusion about licence categories. If this is your only endorsement, the loading is often one of the lowest in the conviction market.
Ways to Cut Your Car Insurance Cost
An LC20 could push your premium up, but there are steps you could take to bring it down.
Compare Quotes Every Year
Do not auto-renew. Your LC20 loading could reduce each year. Get quotes above from specialist brokers to check.
Build a Clean Record
Each conviction-free, claim-free year after your LC20 shows insurers the licence issue was a one-off. Clean years are your strongest tool at renewal.
Increase Your Voluntary Excess
A higher excess could cut your premium. Only offer what you could genuinely afford if you needed to claim.
Try Telematics Cover
A black box gives insurers evidence of safe driving. Consistent data could help bring your renewal price down after an LC20.
Pay Annually
Monthly payments include interest. Paying upfront could reduce what you pay overall - helpful when a conviction has pushed your price up.
Choose a Lower Group Car
Cars in lower insurance groups cost less to insure, even with an LC20. Checking the group before buying could offset some of the loading.
Check Your Licence Categories on GOV.UK
Make sure your licence covers every vehicle you need to drive. Verifying your exact entitlements prevents a second LC offence and keeps your record clean for insurers.
Saving Tip: A licence category mix-up should not define your insurance options. Compare quotes above – Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who handle LC20 cases every day.
How To Compare LC20 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting quotes after an LC20 does not take long. Here is how the process works. Get started above when you are ready.
Enter Your Vehicle Details
Add your reg, make, model, and where you park.
Declare Your LC20
Enter the conviction code, date of offence, and the number of points. Be honest about any other endorsements.
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
The shock of discovering your licence was wrong — wrong category, expired without warning, or missing a condition you did not know about — is genuine. Most people assume that if they have a licence in their wallet, they are legal to drive. Finding out otherwise feels like the system failed you.
LC20 covers driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. It includes wrong vehicle categories, expired licences, breached provisional conditions, and foreign licences that were never converted. Penalties range from 3 to 6 points and a fine, with some cases reaching court. Crucially, driving without a valid licence also invalidates your insurance, which can trigger a separate IN10 charge.
Specialist brokers handle LC20 regularly because the circumstances vary so widely. They match the context of your case to insurers who understand that administrative errors are not the same as deliberate evasion.
Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common LC20 Car Insurance Questions
What Is an LC20 Conviction Code?
LC20 is the DVLA endorsement code for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. It covers situations where you drove a vehicle your licence did not permit.
How Many Points Does an LC20 Carry?
An LC20 carries 3 to 6 penalty points. The exact number depends on the severity of the offence and is decided by the court.
How Long Does an LC20 Stay on Your Licence?
An LC20 stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of offence. You may need to declare it to insurers for up to 5 years.
Will an LC20 Increase My Car Insurance?
Most insurers add a loading for an LC20, but it is generally modest compared to more serious endorsement codes. Comparing quotes from specialist brokers could help you find a competitive price.
Do I Have to Declare an LC20 to My Insurer?
Yes. You must answer your insurer’s questions truthfully about your LC20 for as long as your insurer asks about endorsements. Failing to declare could invalidate your cover.
Can I Get Comprehensive Cover With an LC20?
Yes. All three cover levels – comprehensive, TPFT, and third party only – are available to drivers with an LC20 endorsement through specialist brokers.
What Is the Difference Between LC20 and LC30?
LC20 is for driving not in accordance with a licence. LC30 is for making a false statement about your fitness when applying for a licence. Both carry 3 to 6 points.
Can I Lose My Licence for an LC20?
A driving ban for LC20 is discretionary. Most cases result in penalty points rather than disqualification, but courts may ban you if the circumstances are serious.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who cover drivers with endorsements. They will contact you with quotes based on your details.
Will My LC20 Loading Reduce Over Time?
Yes. Your insurance loading could reduce each year as your LC20 ages. After the declaration period ends with no further endorsements, your premium could return to standard rates.
Related Licence Conviction Codes
Looking for information about other conviction codes? Browse related offences below, or visit the main convicted driver insurance hub.
Search & compare quotes from UK LC20 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK – Driving licence categories – check which vehicles your licence covers
- GOV.UK – Penalty points and endorsements – how the endorsement system works
- GOV.UK – View your driving licence information – check your current endorsements online
- Sentencing Council – sentencing guidelines for motoring offences
