Car Insurance for Drink Drivers

How to insure your car after a drink-drive conviction

If you've been convicted of a drink drive motoring offence and you've served your driving disqualification, you will probably still have points on your driving licence and paid a substantial fine. Your driving licence now carries the DR10 or a similar drink-drive licence endorsement and you're looking forward to getting back behind the wheel. All you need to do now is to find car insurance for a drink driver and this is where QuoteRack's access to specialist insurance companies for drink drivers might help you.

Why use car insurance for drink drivers?

Drink driving is a serious offence, which will stay on your record for 11 years from the date of conviction. Furthermore, you will have to declare your drink driving offence to insurance companies 5 years after your convictions; after that, your conviction is considered spent. Unfortunately, many insurance companies may refuse cover based on your previous drink drive conviction. Those that do supply an insurance quote are likely to do so at a much higher premium.

Luckily, there are drink drive insurance specialist companies who are willing to provide affordable quotes for DR10 insurance. QuoteRack can also help secure quotes through our approved brokers for drivers with an adverse history, such as those with previous accidents, drug driving offences and ex-offenders.

Drink drive limits in the UK

Whether you’ve had a previous drink driving conviction and are looking to get back on the road, or are just interested in the laws around driving with alcohol in your system, we have detailed the rules across the UK below.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

  • 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
  • 35mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath
  • 107mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine

Scotland

  • 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
  • 22mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath
  • 67mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine
  • Scotland has similar laws to the rest of Europe

The Forensic Science Regulator's guide to drug and alcohol limits is available for download.

What are the drink drive driving licence conviction codes?

The following driving licence endorsement conviction codes will stay on your driving record for 11 years from the date of the conviction:

DR10 - Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit - 3 to 11 penalty points

DR20 - Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink - 3 to 11 penalty points

DR30 - Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis - 3 to 11 penalty points

DR31 - Driving or attempting to drive then refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity - 3 to 11 penalty points

DR61 - Refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive - 10 penalty points

These codes must stay on a driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence or 4 years from date of conviction where a disqualification is imposed:

DR40 - In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit - 10 penalty points

DR50 - In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink - 10 penalty points

DR60 - Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive - 10 penalty points

DR70 - Failing to provide specimen for breath test - 4 penalty points

What does drink drive car insurance cover?

  • Comprehensive: This covers the driver, the car, its passengers, property, damage to third parties, vandalism and theft
  • Third-party, fire and theft: This covers third parties in the event of an accident, as well as fire or theft. It does not cover your vehicle in the event of an accident or vandalism.
  • Third party only: The most basic, cheapest and legal minimum level of cover in the UK. This covers third parties injury and damage to third party property.

Additional types of cover available

Additionally, you may opt to extend your insurance cover, usually for a slightly higher premium. Common insurance policy 'add-ons' include:

  • Breakdown cover: In the event your company car breaks down and needs recovering or repairing at the roadside
  • Lost car key cover: To cover the cost of replacing your car keys if they are lost or stolen
  • Courtesy car: A replacement vehicle so you’re not left stranded in the event of repairs to your company car, following an accident
  • Windscreen cover: Usually included in comprehensive car insurance, cover can often be purchased for TPF&T policies, to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car windscreen
  • No claims bonus protection: In the event of an at-fault claim, your no claims discount would not be lost or reduced

Frequently asked questions

How much is car insurance after a drink drive conviction?

As with any insurance policy, this depends on your individual case. Your details will have a part to play in your insurance quote, such as your age, location, where you leave your car during the day and night and your driving experience, as well as the actual value of the vehicle.

There are, however, some ways in which you can reduce your drink drive car insurance quote:

  • Garage your car overnight
  • Pay your car insurance premium annually rather than on instalments
  • Adding an experienced, older second driver to the policy
  • Restrict your annual mileage
  • Restrict the use and number of drivers of the vehicle
  • Increase your insurance policy excess
  • Consider a telematics insurance policy, requiring the installation of a black box recorder that monitors how you drive
  • Install a tracking device in your car
  • Install a Thatcham-approved alarm and/or immobiliser in your car

Do I need to tell my car insurance provider about my drink driving conviction?

Yes. If you are convicted of a drink driving offence, you must tell your insurer about the change of your circumstances immediately. If you receive a DR10 licence endorsement from the Courts, you will be in breach of your insurance policy. This is also the case if you are convicted of any other driving offences, such as drug driving, a criminal conviction, a previous car accident, or even receiving points on your licence.

What is the DVSA Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme?

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is responsible for setting the syllabus for their Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme.

What's the procedure when you are breathalysed by the Police?

When those blue flashing lights appear in your mirror, you might be about to find out what it feels like to be breathalysed by the Police for drink-driving.

How can QuoteRack help with drink drive car insurance?

Through our network of specialist insurance brokers, we will enable you to compare drink drive car insurance quotes from FCA-registered UK insurance brokers that specialise in providing car insurance for convicted drink drivers, including drink-drivers who have completed their period of disqualification and had their driving licence returned from DVLA.

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"I was amazed by some of the insurance premiums I had been quoted after I'd been convicted of drink-driving - driving after a couple of pints was a momentary lapse, a genuine misjudgment and not something that I will ever do again."

"The UK has some of the strictest motoring laws in Europe - finding insurance for convicted drivers, including for those found driving under the influence of drink or drug driving car insurance, requires specialist help and guidance."

Drink Drive Car Insurance