Why Compare MS80 Car Insurance?
This Conviction Raises Questions With Insurers
An MS80 tells insurers you declined a lawful eyesight test. Some may assume the worst about your vision and price accordingly. Specialist brokers present your case to insurers who assess this type of conviction on its own merits.
Your Eyesight May Be Fine
A refusal does not prove your vision is defective. If you can show your eyesight meets the legal standard, specialist brokers can find insurers who price based on your actual vision rather than the conviction alone.
Mainstream Quotes May Be Inflated
Standard insurers often lack the context to price MS80 fairly. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who understand the difference between declining a test and an actual eyesight defect.
MS80 Car Insurance At A Glance
- MS80 means you were convicted of refusing to submit to an eyesight test, contrary to Section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
- The penalty is 3 points on your licence and a fine of up to £1,000. The court may also impose a discretionary driving ban. The endorsement stays on your licence for 4 years from date of offence.
- The legal standard requires you to read a number plate from 20 metres. If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet this standard, you must wear them every time you drive (GOV.UK, as at March 2026).
- Click the green button above to compare MS80 quotes from specialist brokers.
What Is an MS80 Conviction?
MS80 is a statutory offence under Section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 – refusing to submit to an eyesight test when required by a police officer. Here’s how the law defines it:
- Who it applies to – Any driver who, having been required by a police officer to submit to a test of their eyesight, refuses to do so or fails to take the test when asked.
- What counts as refusing – Declining to attempt the roadside number plate test, walking away from the test, or repeatedly failing to cooperate with an officer carrying out the eyesight check. The standard test is reading a number plate from 20 metres in good daylight.
- How the duty arises – When a police officer has reasonable grounds to require an eyesight test, usually following a stop or a collision. The duty to submit applies at the roadside at the time of the request.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | 3 |
| Driving Ban | Discretionary |
| Maximum Fine | Up to £1,000 |
| Time on Licence | 4 years on licence from date of offence |
| Spent After | Depends on sentence under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A fine becomes spent 1 year from the date of conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 |
MS80Can You Get Insurance With an MS80?
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 penalty points are added to your licence, with a discretionary driving ban possible depending on the circumstances.
- 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 MS80 is spent 1 year after conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- Disclosure still matters – Non-disclosure can invalidate the policy. Some insurers view a refusal code more cautiously than a straight eyesight offence.
- Eyesight-specific treatment – If your eyesight is now tested and corrected to the legal standard, many insurers will treat the underlying risk as resolved. Specialist brokers can explain this context to insurers.
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers experienced with miscellaneous motoring convictions including eyesight-related offences. If you need short-term cover while comparing, temporary car insurance with convictions may bridge the gap.
Who Needs MS80 Car Insurance?
An MS80 is a relatively minor endorsement in terms of points, but refusing an eyesight test may concern some insurers. Here is who typically benefits from comparing MS80 car insurance quotes.
Did Not Understand The Police Request
The officer asked you to read a plate and you hesitated, asked questions, or looked confused. What felt like uncertainty was recorded as a refusal. The gap between what you intended and what was documented is genuinely distressing.
Anxious About Failing In Front Of An Officer
You knew your eyesight was borderline. The fear of failing on the spot, in public, with an officer watching, made you freeze or push back. Anxiety drove the refusal, not defiance - but the conviction does not record the difference.
Could Not Read The Plate Due To Sun Or Rain
The conditions were poor. Glare, rain on your glasses, or the angle of the plate made it unreadable for anyone. You said so, and it was treated as a refusal. The injustice of being punished for weather is hard to accept.
Medical Condition Affecting The Test
You have a condition - perhaps diabetes, cataracts developing, or medication side effects - that affects your vision intermittently. On that day, at that moment, you could not comply. The conviction ignores the medical reality behind it.
Refused On Principle Then Regretted It
You pushed back because it felt intrusive or unfair. Maybe you had just passed your MOT or had a recent eye test. The principle made sense at the time. The 3 points and insurance consequences that followed did not.
What MS80 Car Insurance Covers
An MS80 on your licence does not change what your policy is designed to cover. It changes how much you pay and which insurers will quote you. With only 3 points, most insurers will still offer you cover, though some may ask questions about the circumstances. Van drivers can see convicted driver van insurance.
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: With 3 points from an MS80, all three cover levels should still be available. Do not assume the conviction limits your options - compare all three.
What MS80 Car Insurance May Not Cover
A single exclusion could mean your whole claim gets declined. Here is what MS80 car insurance usually does not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not tell your insurer about your MS80 or any other endorsements, they could invalidate your policy and may decline all claims.
- Declining Another Eyesight Test - If you are asked to take another roadside eyesight test and decline again, you could face a further conviction and your insurer may decline any related claim.
- Driving Under the Influence - If you cause an accident while impaired by drink or drugs, your insurer could decline your claim regardless of your MS80.
- Wear and Tear - Gradual damage to your car, like worn tyres or rust, is not covered by any motor policy.
Important Limitations
- Higher Excess - Your insurer may set a higher compulsory excess because of your MS80. Check your policy documents before agreeing.
- Named Driver Restrictions - Some policies may limit who else can drive your car after a conviction involving eyesight.
- Eyesight Evidence Required - Some insurers may ask for an optician report confirming your vision meets the legal standard before offering cover.
- Vehicle Value Cap - Some specialist policies may cap the value of car they will insure after a conviction.
Optional Extras Worth Adding
Your standard policy is designed to cover the basics. These extras fill gaps that could matter after an eyesight test refusal conviction.
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.
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 help cover the cost of replacing your keys if they are lost or stolen, subject to policy limits and conditions.
What Affects the Cost of Car Insurance with a MS80 Conviction?
Your quote depends on the number of penalty points on your licence, any other convictions, and your overall driving history. An MS80 carries 3 points, which is at the lower end. Here are the key factors that could affect your price.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Your MS80 conviction | Declining an eyesight test raises concerns for insurers. Some may assume you have a vision problem, even if you do not. |
| Whether your eyesight meets the standard | If you can show your vision is fine through an optician report, some insurers may reduce the loading compared to those who assume the worst. |
| Time since conviction | Your price could drop each year as the MS80 ages. After 4 years, the endorsement leaves your licence. |
| Other convictions | An MS80 alongside other motoring convictions could push your price up more than the refusal alone. |
| Your age | Older drivers may face particular scrutiny because age-related eyesight changes are more common. |
| Your car | Higher insurance group cars cost more to insure regardless of convictions. |
| Where you live | Your postcode affects your base price before any conviction loading is applied. |
| Claims history | A clean claims record could help offset some of the loading from your MS80. |
Price Insight: Refusing the test does not automatically mean worse insurance than failing it. If you can show your eyesight is actually fine, some insurers may reduce the loading.
Ways to Cut Your Car Insurance Cost
An MS80 may add a modest loading to your premium, but there are steps you could take to keep the cost down. Consider a telematics car insurance policy to prove safe driving. Here are some ways to cut what you pay.
Compare at Every Renewal
Your MS80 loading could reduce each year. Do not auto-renew without checking. Get quotes above.
Provide an Optician Report
If your eyesight meets the legal standard, an optician report could help specialist brokers negotiate a lower loading. It shows the refusal was not because of poor vision.
Build a Clean Record
Each conviction-free, claim-free year after your MS80 could help reduce your premium at renewal.
Increase Your Voluntary Excess
A higher excess could cut your premium. Make sure it is an amount you could afford if you needed to claim.
Pay Annually If You Can
Monthly payments include interest charges. Paying upfront could save you more on a loaded premium.
Choose a Lower Insurance Group Car
Lower-group vehicles cost less to insure. If you are changing cars, checking the group first could help.
Park Off the Street
Off-street parking is lower risk. A driveway or garage could contribute to a lower premium.
Saving Tip: A test refusal and an actual eyesight failure produce different codes for a reason. If your vision is fine, an optician report could help a specialist broker find you a fairer price. Compare above.
How To Compare MS80 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting quotes after an MS80 does not take long. Clean Green Cars connects you with brokers who cover convicted driver insurance every day. Get started above when you are ready.
Enter Your Vehicle Details
Start at the top of this page. Add your registration, make, model, and where you park overnight.
Declare Your MS80
Enter the conviction code, date of conviction, and the 3 penalty points. Be honest about any other endorsements too.
Add Your Driving History
Include any other convictions, past claims, and your no claims discount.
Choose Your Cover Level
Decide between comprehensive, TPFT, or third party only.
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
Refusing an eyesight test might have felt like the right call at the time. Perhaps you were anxious, confused by what was being asked, or worried about failing in front of an officer. In the moment, it did not feel like a refusal - it felt like self-preservation. But the law treats it as a separate offence, and now you are carrying points for something that was never about your actual driving.
MS80 covers refusing to submit to an eyesight test when required by a police constable. The penalty is 3 points and a fine, with the endorsement remaining on your licence for 4 years. What makes it particularly frustrating is that the conviction says nothing about whether your eyesight is actually defective - only that you did not comply with the request.
Specialist brokers understand the distinction between refusing a test and failing one. They know which insurers consider the context rather than treating MS80 as evidence of a vision problem.
Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common MS80 Car Insurance Questions
How Long Does an MS80 Stay on Your Licence?
Four years from the date of offence. Most insurers ask about the last 5 years.
How Many Points Is an MS80?
Three points. The same as MS70 for driving with uncorrected eyesight.
What Is the Difference Between MS70 and MS80?
MS70 is for driving with uncorrected eyesight – you failed the test. MS80 is for refusing to take the test at all.
Is Refusing an Eyesight Test Worse Than Failing?
The points are the same, but some insurers may view it less favourably. An optician report proving good vision could help.
How Much Does MS80 Increase Insurance?
Usually a modest amount with 3 points. But this could mean a slightly higher loading than MS70 with some insurers.
Is MS80 a Criminal Conviction?
Technically yes, but dealt with by fixed penalty it is unlikely to appear on a standard criminal record check.
Can I Prove My Eyesight Is Fine After an MS80?
Yes. An optician report confirming your vision meets the legal standard could help when speaking to specialist brokers about your insurance.
Can I Get Comprehensive Cover With MS80?
Usually yes. Three points is minor and most cover levels should still be available.
Will the MS80 Affect My Licence Renewal at 70?
The endorsement is separate from the medical declaration at age 70. However, both involve eyesight so ensure your vision is corrected.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
A specialist broker contacts you directly with quotes. There is no obligation to buy.
Related Conviction Codes
Looking for information about other conviction codes? Browse related offences below, or visit the Miscellaneous Offences hub for the full list.
Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position
Compare MS10 quotesUnlawful pillion riding
Compare MS20 quotesMotor racing on the highway
Compare MS50 quotesOffences not covered by other codes
Compare MS60 quotesDriving with uncorrected defective eyesight
Compare MS70 quotesFailure to give information as to identity of driver etc.
Compare MS90 quotesSearch & compare quotes from UK MS80 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 – View Your Driving Licence – Check your licence online to see your current points and convictions.
- GOV.UK – Driving Eyesight Rules – The legal eyesight standards you must meet to drive, including the number plate test distance.
