A driving conviction can happen to even the most careful drivers. With increasing numbers of vehicles on UK roads each year, the likelihood of accidents, traffic congestion, and driving-related stress rises. Enhanced technology in speed cameras and traffic control has also made it easier to catch infringements. Although a driving conviction can be costly, it’s still possible to insure yourself and your vehicle affordably while rebuilding your No Claims Bonus (NCB).
Whether you have a DR10 Drink Driving Conviction, an SP30 Speeding Conviction, a TT99 Conviction (penalty points exceeding 12 within 3 years), or an IN10 Conviction for driving without insurance, all will impact your insurance premium. Different UK insurers have varying policies towards these convictions, with some taking a tougher stance than others. We can assist you in finding insurers who specialise in covering individuals with driving convictions.
At MyLicence, we have extensive experience in handling insurance for convicted drivers and working with brokers who offer these policies. We understand the importance of maintaining a driver’s license, which is why we strive to minimise the effort required on your part.
Most Common Driving Offences in the UK
| Code | Offence Description |
|---|---|
| SP30 | Exceeding Statutory Speed Limit on a Public Road |
| DR10 | Driving Above the Legal Alcohol Limit |
| DR30 | Failure to Provide a Specimen |
| CU80 | Breaching Control of the Vehicle |
| DD40 | Dangerous Driving |
| IN10 | Using a Vehicle Uninsured Against Third Party Risks |
| TS10 | Disobeying Traffic Light Instructions |
| TT99 | Penalty Points Exceed 12 within 3 Years |
| AC10 | Failing to Stop After an Accident |
Disqualified Driver
Being disqualified means you are banned from driving, either due to a serious driving offence or accumulating 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period. The length of the disqualification depends on the nature of the offence:
- 6-month ban: If you accumulate 12 or more points in three years.
- 12-month ban: If you receive a second disqualification within three years.
- 24-month ban: If you receive a third disqualification.
If disqualified for more than 56 days, you must apply for a new license before driving again. The court may also require you to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test before issuing a new license. You can apply to have your disqualification period reduced after:
- 2 years: If the disqualification is between 2 and 4 years.
- Half the disqualification period: If it is between 4 and 10 years.
- 5 years: If the disqualification is for over 10 years.
Declaring Convictions
Honesty and transparency are crucial when obtaining car insurance, including disclosing any criminal history. You must declare all convictions, whether driving-related or not, to your broker. Failure to do so may invalidate your policy or result in an increased premium once recalculated.
However, you do not need to declare ‘spent’ convictions. A spent conviction is removed from your record after a period of rehabilitation, which depends on the sentence, the number of convictions, and your age at the time of conviction.
Insurance coverage may be denied if you have previous convictions. If accepted, you may pay a significantly higher premium compared to those without convictions. To reduce your premium, you can:
- Increase your excess.
- Drive fewer miles.
- Use telematics to record your driving, which sends data to your insurer to calculate a premium based on your safe driving habits.