Why Compare TS40 Car Insurance?
Police Sign Convictions Are Uncommon
Because TS40 is rare, many mainstream insurers do not have specific pricing for it and may apply a generic loading. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who know which insurers treat it fairly.
Three Points Should Not Cost You Disproportionately
A TS40 is a minor 3-point endorsement. Specialist brokers place you with insurers who understand the context rather than applying a blanket surcharge.
One Form Gets You Specialist Quotes
Clean Green Cars connects you with specialist brokers who send quotes from providers experienced with traffic sign endorsements. No need for multiple applications.
TS40 Car Insurance At A Glance
- Specialist brokers may offer Comprehensive, TPFT, or TPO cover even with a TS40 on your licence.
- A TS40 carries 3 penalty points and stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
- TS40 applies when you fail to follow a direction given by a police officer or warden controlling traffic.
- Click the green button above to compare TS40 car insurance from specialist brokers.
What Is a TS40 Conviction?
TS40 is a statutory offence under Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 – failing to comply with the direction of a police constable or traffic warden. Here’s how the law defines it:
- Who it applies to – Any driver of a motor vehicle on a road who, when directed by a police constable or authorised traffic warden, neglects or refuses to comply with that direction when the officer is engaged in the regulation of traffic.
- What counts as failing to comply – Ignoring hand signals to stop, move on or change direction; driving through a cordoned-off area; refusing to follow a directed diversion; or failing to stop when signalled after an incident or at a checkpoint.
- How the duty arises – The moment a constable or traffic warden is regulating traffic and gives a clear direction. The duty applies even if the driver disagrees with the instruction – the proper place to challenge it is later, not at the roadside.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | 3 |
| Driving Ban | Discretionary. Uncommon for a single TS40 offence. |
| Maximum Fine | Up to £1,000 |
| Time on Licence | 4 years on licence from date of offence |
| Spent After | A TS40 becomes spent quickly under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You must answer your insurer’s questions truthfully to your insurer for as long as they ask, usually 5 years. |
Can You Get Insurance With a TS40 Conviction?
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 fine up to £1,000. A discretionary driving ban is uncommon for a single TS40 offence.
- 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 – Becomes spent quickly under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 – typically 1 year after conviction for a fine.
- Disclosure still matters – Non-disclosure can invalidate the policy. You must answer your insurer’s questions truthfully for as long as they ask about motoring convictions.
- Treated as a minor endorsement – Most insurers apply a modest loading rather than declining, particularly for a single TS40 on an otherwise clean licence.
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers experienced with traffic sign offences and related motoring convictions. If you need short-term cover while comparing, temporary car insurance with convictions may bridge the gap.
Who Needs TS40 Car Insurance?
Standard insurers may not have specific pricing for police direction convictions. Here is who benefits from comparing specialist TS40 quotes.
Misread A Police Officer's Hand Signal
The officer gestured, you interpreted it as 'go,' and it meant 'stop' - or the other way round. In a noisy, moving junction, hand signals are not always clear. One misreading cost you 3 points and a conviction you are still struggling to accept.
Confused By Temporary Traffic Management
Cones, diversions, and an officer directing traffic around roadworks. The normal road layout was gone, the signals were unfamiliar, and you followed what you thought was the instruction. It was not, and the conviction followed.
Warden's Instruction Was Unclear
The warden's signal was ambiguous - a wave that could have meant 'come forward' or 'wait.' You chose one interpretation and it was wrong. The lack of clarity in the instruction feels like a fundamental unfairness in the conviction.
Did Not See The Officer In A Busy Intersection
Traffic was heavy, vehicles were blocking your view, and you simply did not see the officer until it was too late. By the time you registered their presence, you had already passed the point of compliance. Missing a person in a crowd of metal is not the same as ignoring them.
Foreign Driver Unfamiliar With UK Signals
You are used to traffic systems in another country where signals work differently. The UK officer's hand movements meant nothing to you, and there was no time to work it out. Driving in an unfamiliar system caught you in a way no amount of care could have prevented.
Worth Knowing: Whether you misjudged the patrol officer’s signal or were distracted near a school, Clean Green Cars connects you with brokers who understand TS40 endorsements.
What TS40 Car Insurance Covers
A TS40 does not change what your policy is designed to cover. It affects how much you pay and which providers will quote you.
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 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: Compare all three levels of cover. A minor TS40 may not limit your options as much as you expect.
What TS40 Car Insurance May Not Cover
One overlooked detail could mean a declined claim. Here is what TS40 car insurance usually does not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not declare your traffic sign conviction or any other endorsements, your insurer could invalidate your policy and decline claims.
- Driving Under the Influence - Accidents caused while impaired by drink or drugs are excluded regardless of your traffic sign conviction.
- Wear and Tear - Gradual damage such as worn tyres, mechanical deterioration, or rust is not covered by any motor policy.
- Racing or Track Use - Using your vehicle on a track, in a race, or in any form of competition is excluded from standard motor policies.
Important Limitations
- Higher Excess - Your insurer may set a higher compulsory excess because of your conviction. Check your policy documents before agreeing.
- Named Driver Restrictions - Some policies may limit who else can drive your vehicle after a traffic sign conviction.
- Vehicle Value Cap - Some convicted driver policies may cap the maximum value of vehicle they will insure.
- Mileage Limits - Some specialist policies may impose annual mileage caps as a condition of cover.
Optional Cover Add-Ons
Your standard policy covers the basics. These optional extras could be worth considering after a school crossing patrol conviction.
May help cover roadside assistance if your vehicle breaks down, subject to policy limits and conditions.
May help cover 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 injured in a crash and cannot work, depending on your policy terms.
Keeps your no claims discount safe if you make 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.
What Affects the Cost of Car Insurance with a TS40 Conviction?
Your quote depends on your total points and driving history. A TS40 is minor, but it still appears on your record.
Here are the key factors that could affect your quote.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Points on your licence | Three points from a TS40 is relatively minor. The loading is usually smaller than for drink-drive or dangerous driving convictions. |
| Time since your TS40 | Your price could reduce each year as the TS40 ages. A conviction from 3 years ago may cost less to insure than a recent one. |
| Other convictions | A TS40 alongside other motoring convictions could push your price up more sharply. Multiple endorsements signal higher risk. |
| Your age | Younger drivers often pay more after a conviction. If you are under 25, the increase could be larger. |
| Your vehicle | Higher insurance group vehicles cost more to insure, with or without convictions on your record. |
| Where you live | Your postcode affects your base price before any TS40 loading is applied. |
| Claims history | A clean claims record could offset some of the loading from your TS40. |
| Cover level | Comprehensive costs more than third party only but provides more protection. Always compare all three levels. |
Price Insight: Because TS40 is uncommon, some insurers may not have specific pricing for it. Specialist brokers know which providers treat school crossing patrol convictions fairly.
Ways to Cut Your Car Insurance Cost
A TS40 could push your premium up, but practical steps could help reduce the increase.
Compare at Every Renewal
Your TS40 loading could reduce each year. Do not auto-renew - a confusion at a junction should not inflate your premium forever. Get quotes above.
Build a Clean Record
Each conviction-free, claim-free year helps. With a minor code like TS40, the loading should reduce relatively quickly.
Consider a Telematics Policy
A black box could prove you drive carefully day to day. Good data works in your favour at renewal.
Increase Your Voluntary Excess
A higher excess could reduce your premium. Make sure it is affordable if you need to claim.
Pay Annually If You Can
Monthly payments include interest. Paying upfront could reduce the total cost.
Choose a Lower Insurance Group Car
Lower-group vehicles cost less to insure. If you are changing cars, check the group first.
Park Off the Street
Off-street parking is lower risk. If you have a driveway or garage, make sure your insurer knows.
Saving Tip: A moment near a school crossing feels serious, but with 3 points it is still a minor code in insurance terms. Specialist brokers know which insurers price it fairly. Compare above.
How to Compare TS40 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting quotes after a TS40 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.
Declare Your Conviction
Enter the conviction code, date of offence, and number of points. Be honest about all endorsements.
Add Your Driving History
Include any other convictions, claims, and your no claims discount.
Choose Your Cover Level
Select between comprehensive, third party fire and theft, or third party only.
Compare Your Quotes
Specialist brokers send you quotes based on your details. Pick the one that fits your needs and budget.
What Our Expert Says
A police officer was waving you through - or was it telling you to stop? Hand signals at a busy junction, with traffic flowing from every direction and horns behind you, are genuinely confusing. You made your best guess in a pressured moment, and that guess was wrong.
TS40 covers failing to comply with the direction of a constable or warden under Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It carries 3 penalty points and a fine up to £1,000, with discretionary disqualification. The endorsement stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
Specialist brokers recognise that TS40 almost always comes from momentary confusion, not wilful disobedience. They know which insurers weigh the code fairly and do not treat a misread hand signal as evidence of poor driving character.
Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common TS40 Car Insurance Questions
What is a TS40 conviction?
Failing to comply with a direction given by a police constable or traffic warden engaged in regulating traffic.
How long does a TS40 stay on my licence?
Four years from the date of offence. Most insurers ask about the last 5 years.
Will a TS40 affect my car insurance?
It could increase your premium slightly. With 3 points, the loading is usually modest.
Can I get comprehensive cover with a TS40?
Yes. Three points is minor and all cover levels should still be available.
Do I have to declare a TS40?
Yes. Not declaring any endorsement could invalidate your cover.
Is a TS40 a criminal conviction?
Technically yes, but dealt with by fixed penalty it is unlikely to appear on a standard criminal record check.
What if the sign was obscured or confusing?
Obscured or incorrectly placed signs could be grounds for an appeal. You would need evidence. Seek legal advice.
How much could a TS40 add to my insurance?
No fixed amount. With 3 points, the loading is usually modest and varies between insurers.
Can I appeal a TS40?
Yes, within 21 days of a court conviction. For a fixed penalty, you can request a court hearing.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
A specialist broker contacts you directly with quotes. There is no obligation to buy.
Related Traffic Sign Conviction Codes
TS40 is one of several traffic sign endorsement codes, alongside TS50 (traffic signs) and others. Each code covers a different offence, and all carry 3 penalty points.
Failing to comply with traffic light signals
Compare TS10 quotesFailing to comply with double white lines
Compare TS20 quotesFailing to comply with a stop sign
Compare TS30 quotesFailing to comply with a traffic sign (excluding stop signs, traffic lights or double white lines)
Compare TS50 quotesFailing to comply with a school crossing patrol sign
Compare TS60 quotesUndefined failure to comply with a traffic direction sign
Compare TS70 quotesSearch & compare quotes from UK TS40 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK – Penalty Points – How penalty points and endorsements work on UK driving licences.
- The Highway Code – Rules on signals by authorised persons and police officers.
- Sentencing Council – Sentencing guidelines for motoring offences.
- Check Your Driving Licence – View your endorsements and penalty points online.
