Why Compare MS50 Car Insurance?
Most Mainstream Insurers May Decline MS50
Motor racing on the highway carries an obligatory ban and up to 11 points, making it the most serious MS code. Many standard providers will not quote. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who know which providers accept MS50 convictions.
Every Insurer Assesses MS50 Differently
One provider could decline outright while another considers your full circumstances, including how long ago the offence occurred and whether you have driven cleanly since. Clean Green Cars connects you with brokers who understand the difference.
Your Loading Could Reduce Over Time
As your MS50 ages on your record and you build up clean driving time, the impact on your premium could ease. Specialist brokers understand this timeline and may find you a better price at each renewal.
MS50 Car Insurance At A Glance
- MS50 means motor racing on the highway, contrary to Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It is the most serious code in the MS category.
- The penalty is 3 to 11 points, an obligatory ban of at least 12 months, a fine of up to £2,500, and a compulsory extended driving retest.
- With an obligatory ban and up to 11 points, many mainstream insurers may decline. Specialist brokers are usually the best route to cover.
- Fill in the form above to compare MS50 quotes from specialist brokers.
What Is an MS50 Conviction?
MS50 is a statutory offence under Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 – motor racing on a public highway. Here’s how the law defines it:
- Who it applies to – Any driver who promotes or takes part in a race or trial of speed between motor vehicles on a public road. It is a summary-only offence, triable in the magistrates’ court only.
- What counts as motor racing – Organised or impromptu competitive driving against other vehicles on a public road, including street races, trials of speed, and coordinated high-speed runs where vehicles are competing against each other.
- How the duty arises – The moment two or more vehicles are used competitively on a public highway. MS50 carries an obligatory disqualification of at least 12 months, a compulsory extended driving retest.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | 3 to 11 |
| Driving Ban | Obligatory disqualification (minimum 12 months) |
| Maximum Fine | Up to £2,500 (summary only, Level 4) |
| Retest | Compulsory extended driving retest required |
| Offence Type | Summary only (magistrates’ court) |
| Time on Licence | 4 years on licence from date of conviction |
| Spent After | Depends on sentence length (Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) |
MS50Can You Get Insurance With an MS50?
Yes, but the market is very narrow, and you’ll almost always need a specialist broker. Here’s what to know before you compare:
- Points and ban – 3 to 11 penalty points and an obligatory driving ban of at least 12 months. A compulsory extended driving retest must be passed before you may drive again.
- Time on your record – 4 years on the DVLA endorsement from the date of conviction, and most insurers ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
- When it’s spent – Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a fine becomes spent 1 year after conviction and a driving ban of up to 6 months becomes spent 2 years after conviction. Longer bans or prison sentences extend the rehabilitation period.
- Disclosure always matters – Non-disclosure can invalidate the policy and lead to a claim being declined. MS50 is a serious conviction and many insurers will ask about it directly.
- Treated as a serious behavioural offence – Standard insurers typically decline, and specialist panels usually apply a significant loading. Passing the extended retest may help demonstrate you are fit to drive again.
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers experienced with serious miscellaneous convictions like MS50. If you need short-term cover while comparing, temporary car insurance with convictions may bridge the gap.
Who Needs MS50 Car Insurance?
An MS50 is the most serious code in the MS category, with an obligatory ban and up to 11 points. Here is who typically needs to compare MS50 car insurance quotes.
Caught Drag Racing At Traffic Lights
Both cars accelerated hard from the lights. Maybe it was competitive, maybe it was just habit. Either way, the charge is motor racing, and the consequences are nothing like a traffic light offence. The gap between the moment and the punishment is enormous.
Spirited Overtake Treated As Racing
You overtook another vehicle with enthusiasm on an open road. There was no arrangement, no competition - just a burst of speed that an officer or camera interpreted as racing. It feels like a mischaracterisation of what happened.
Track Day Enthusiasm Spilled Onto A Public Road
You came off a track day buzzing, and your driving on the way home reflected it. The adrenaline had not worn off, and what felt like confident driving crossed a legal line you did not see.
Young Driver Under Peer Pressure
Friends were watching, or the car next to you revved its engine. You responded in a split second, and that split second is now a serious conviction. The weight of a decision made at 19 or 20 follows you for years.
Supercar Owner On An Empty Road At Night
The road was deserted. You opened the throttle because the car was built for it and there was nobody around. But 'nobody around' does not mean 'nobody watching,' and the charge treats an empty road the same as a crowded one.
Worth Knowing: Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who cover drivers with MS50 endorsements. You fill in one form and get matched with specialists experienced in racing convictions.
What MS50 Car Insurance Covers
An MS50 on your licence does not change what your policy is designed to cover. It changes how much you pay and which insurers will consider your application.
Here is what each level of cover could include. Please note that policy features, benefits, terms and conditions vary among 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: After an MS50, comprehensive cover could sometimes cost less than third party only through a specialist broker. Do not assume you are limited – always compare all three levels.
What MS50 Car Insurance May Not Cover
One missed detail could mean your entire claim gets declined. Here is what MS50 car insurance usually does not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not tell your insurer about your MS50 or any related convictions, 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 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.
Extras Worth Considering
Your standard policy is designed to cover the basics. These extras fill gaps that could matter more after a motor racing conviction.
May help cover roadside assistance if your car breaks down away from home. Useful if you rely on your car daily and cannot afford to wait for recovery, 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. Not every insurer offers this to convicted drivers, 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 over time.
What Affects the Cost of Car Insurance with a MS50 Conviction?
Your quote depends on the number of points, the length of your ban, and your overall driving history. These factors affect what you pay.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Your MS50 conviction | MS50 is the most serious code in the MS category, with an obligatory ban and up to 11 points. Many mainstream insurers may decline. The loading could be significant, especially if the ban was lengthy or multiple points were imposed. |
| Time since conviction | Your price could drop each year as the MS50 ages. A conviction from several years ago may cost less to insure than a recent one. |
| Other convictions on your licence | A MS50 on top of other motoring convictions could push your price up sharply. Several endorsements together may reduce the number of insurers willing to quote. |
| No claims discount | A long no claims history could help offset some of your MS50 loading. Protecting your discount may be worth considering. |
| Your vehicle (group, age, value) | Higher insurance group cars cost more to insure, with or without convictions. Choosing a lower group car could help reduce your overall price. |
| Annual mileage | Lower mileage usually means lower risk. If you drive less than the average, make sure your estimate is accurate to avoid overpaying. |
| Cover level | Comprehensive cover could cost less than third party only for some convicted drivers. Always compare all three levels to see which gives you the best price. |
| Where you live | Your postcode affects your base price before any conviction loading is added. |
Price Insight: MS50 is the most serious code in the MS category, and the loading reflects that. But each clean year counts. Your premium could reduce noticeably at each renewal as the conviction ages.
Ways to Cut Your Car Insurance Cost
An MS50 could push your premium up considerably. Here are some practical steps that could help manage what you pay.
Compare at Every Renewal
Your MS50 loading could reduce each year as the conviction ages. Do not auto-renew - your insurer may not pass the improvement on. Get fresh quotes above.
Consider a Telematics Policy
A black box gives your insurer hard evidence that you drive responsibly now. After a racing conviction, this data could be the most powerful way to reduce your premium at renewal.
Choose a Lower Insurance Group Car
After an MS50, the vehicle you drive matters even more. A modest, lower-group car signals lower risk to insurers and could reduce your loaded premium.
Increase Your Voluntary Excess
A higher excess could cut your premium. On a heavily loaded MS50 policy, the saving could be significant. Make sure you can afford the excess if you claim.
Pay Annually If You Can
Monthly payments include interest, which adds up fast on a high premium. Paying upfront could save you a meaningful amount.
Build a Clean Record
Each conviction-free, claim-free year after your MS50 demonstrates change. Your loading should reduce at each renewal as the conviction ages.
Park Securely
A driveway, garage, or secure car park is lower risk than on-street parking. After a serious conviction, every factor that reduces risk could help your premium.
Saving Tip: A racing conviction feels overwhelming, but your options improve every year the conviction ages. Specialist brokers know which insurers take a measured view of MS50. Compare above.
How to Compare MS50 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting quotes after an MS50 does not take long. Here is how it works. 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 MS50
Select the MS50 conviction code, enter the date of offence, and the number of points. Declare any other endorsements on your licence 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
The words 'motor racing on the highway' sound extreme. In your head, you were accelerating hard or overtaking enthusiastically - not lining up on a starting grid. But the law defines racing broadly, and a spirited burst of speed alongside another vehicle can be enough to trigger this charge.
MS50 falls under Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It carries between 3 and 11 penalty points, an obligatory disqualification of at least 12 months, and a fine. For many drivers, the disqualification is the devastating part - it can mean losing a job, missing commitments, and explaining a conviction that sounds far worse than what actually happened.
Specialist brokers handle MS50 cases where the circumstances were far less dramatic than the charge suggests. They know which insurers look at the context and driving record rather than reacting to the headline.
Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common MS50 Car Insurance Questions
How Long Does an MS50 Stay on Your Licence?
Four years from the date of conviction. Most insurers ask about the last 5 years.
How Many Points Is an MS50?
Between 3 and 11. The court decides based on the circumstances of the offence.
Is There an Automatic Driving Ban for MS50?
Yes. MS50 carries an obligatory disqualification. The length is decided by the court.
Can I Get Car Insurance After an MS50?
Yes, through specialist brokers. Many mainstream insurers may decline, but brokers who handle serious convictions know which providers consider MS50 applicants.
How Much Does MS50 Increase Car Insurance?
Significantly more than minor endorsements. The exact loading depends on points, ban length, and how recently the conviction was issued.
Is MS50 a Criminal Conviction?
Yes. Motor racing on the highway is a criminal offence that could result in a criminal record.
What Counts as Motor Racing on the Highway?
Promoting or taking part in a race or trial of speed between vehicles on a public road. The threshold can be lower than many drivers expect.
Will Comprehensive Cover Be Available After MS50?
Possibly. Specialist brokers could source comprehensive cover even after serious convictions. Always compare all three levels.
Does MS50 Affect Employment?
It could. The conviction may appear on DBS checks and could affect roles that require driving.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
A specialist broker contacts you directly with quotes. There is no obligation to buy.
Related MS Conviction Codes
MS50 sits within the miscellaneous offences family. It is the most serious code in this category.
Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position
Compare MS10 quotesUnlawful pillion riding
Compare MS20 quotesOffences not covered by other codes
Compare MS60 quotesDriving with uncorrected defective eyesight
Compare MS70 quotesRefusing to submit to an eyesight test
Compare MS80 quotesFailure to give information as to identity of driver etc.
Compare MS90 quotesSearch & compare quotes from UK MS50 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK – Penalty Points and Endorsements – How the penalty points system works, including endorsement codes and expiry dates.
- GOV.UK – Driving Disqualifications – What happens when you are disqualified from driving and how to apply for your licence back.
- GOV.UK – View Your Driving Licence – Check your licence online to see your current points and convictions.
- Sentencing Council – Dangerous Driving – Sentencing guidelines for dangerous driving and related offences.
