Compare Drug Driving Car Insurance

A special cover is available for DG10, DR80, and more.
There are flexible payment options to choose from.
You can get a quote in minutes without it affecting your credit score.

What is Drug Driving?

Drug driving is a serious offence. It happens when someone drives a vehicle while under the influence of drugs. This can include illegal substances and certain prescription medications. UK law says it is illegal to drive if your drug levels are above the legal limit. Police use roadside drug tests to find and catch people who break this law.

If you get convicted for drug driving, you will face several consequences. You will receive penalty points on your licence and possibly a driving ban, along with fines. This situation also causes your car insurance premiums to go up. Drivers with a drug driving conviction are viewed as high risk. Because of this, it becomes hard to find affordable car insurance.

Legal Limits for Drug Driving in the UK

UK law sets strict limits on the amount of illegal drugs and prescription medications allowed in a driver's blood.

Illegal Drug Limits

Drug	Legal Limit (µg/L in Blood)
Amphetamine	250
Benzoylecgonine (cocaine)	50
Cocaine	10
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis)	2
Ketamine	20
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)	1
Methylamphetamine	10
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)	10
6-Monoacetylmorphine (heroin)	5

How a Drug Driving Conviction Affects Car Insurance

A drug driving conviction can really impact your car insurance rates. Insurance companies view drug drivers as a danger. This causes higher premiums and fewer choices for coverage.

Key Impacts of a Drug Driving Conviction on Car Insurance:

Insurance costs rise by 50% to 200% compared to regular insurance.
Fewer insurance companies available – not all providers cover convicted drug drivers.
Higher out-of-pocket expenses – some companies require more money before offering a policy.
Limited payment options – you may have to pay for the whole year instead of the monthly plan.
Monitoring policies – you might need to use telematics insurance to track your driving habits.

Drug Driving Conviction Affects Car Insurance

Drug Driving Motoring Conviction Codes

A drug driving conviction will appear on your driving licence. It will have an endorsement code. This can impact your insurance for up to 11 years.

Conviction Code	Offence	Penalty Points	Licence Endorsement Duration
DR80	Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs	3 - 11	11 years
DG10	Driving or attempting to drive with drug level above the specified limit	3 - 11	11 years
DG30	Causing death by careless driving with drug level above the limit	3 - 11	11 years
CD50	Causing death by dangerous driving when unfit through drugs	3 - 11	11 years
DR90	In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs	10	4 years
MR29	Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substances	N/A	4 years

Convictions stay on your record for five years. You need to mention them when you apply for car insurance.

Types of Drug Driving Car Insurance

Drivers who have a DG10 or DR80 conviction can still get insurance. However, their options are limited. The three main levels of cover available are:

Third Party Only
- This is the basic legal insurance you need in the UK.
- It covers damage to other cars and injuries to other people.
- It does not cover damage to your own car.
Third Party, Fire, and Theft
- This covers damage to third parties.
- It also protects your car against fire and theft.
Fully Comprehensive
- This covers damage to your own car and claims from other people.
- Sometimes, some insurers offer lower rates for comprehensive coverage than for third-party insurance.
Black Box Insurance
- This uses technology to see how you drive.
- If you drive safely, it may reduce your insurance costs over time.

Legal Alcohol & Drug Driving Limits in the UK

Drug driving laws in the UK are very strict. They cover both illegal substances and prescription medicines. If you drive while under the influence of drugs, you could get fined, lose your driving licence, or even end up in jail.

Below is a list of the legal limits for different substances when driving.

UK Drug Driving Limits for Illegal Substances

The government has a strict policy against illegal drugs. This means that even a small amount can result in a drug driving charge.

Drug	Legal Limit (µg/L in Blood)	Detection Window
Cannabis (THC)	2	Up to 30 days
Cocaine	10	Up to 3 days
MDMA (Ecstasy)	10	Up to 2 days
Ketamine	20	Up to 5 days
Methamphetamine	10	Up to 3 days
6-monoacetylmorphine (Heroin)	5	Up to 5 days

A driver might feel okay, but driving past these limits is illegal. This can result in a conviction.

UK Drug Driving Limits for Prescription Medications

Drivers who use prescription drugs need to be careful not to exceed legal limits. They should also ensure they are fit to drive.

Prescription Drug	Legal Limit (µg/L in Blood)	Common Uses
Clonazepam	50	Anxiety, epilepsy
Diazepam	550	Anxiety, muscle spasms
Methadone	500	Pain relief, heroin treatment
Morphine	80	Severe pain management
Temazepam	1,000	Sleep disorders
Lorazepam	100	Anxiety

Drivers who take these medicines should speak to their doctor before driving. If a driver is found to be over the limit, they must prove that they were following medical advice to avoid legal issues.

How a Drug Driving Conviction Affects Employment & Travel

A DG10 or DR80 drug driving conviction will remain on your licence for 11 years. This can affect your job opportunities and travel plans.

Employment Restrictions

Many employers prefer that you have a clean driving licence, especially for jobs that include driving. This involves:

Taxi drivers and private hire drivers
Delivery drivers
HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) drivers
Emergency services such as police, ambulance, and fire services
Public transport, which includes bus and train drivers

Some companies look at criminal records, known as DBS checks, when they hire people. A drug driving conviction can appear on enhanced DBS checks. This can make it more difficult to get certain jobs.

Travel Restrictions

Some countries do not let visitors in if they have criminal convictions. A drug driving conviction can affect your visas for:

USA – Your ESTA application can be turned down; you might need a visa instead.
Canada – Drug driving is a serious offence; you may need a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).
Australia – You have to disclose any convictions; this could lead to your visa application being denied.

Drivers should check the embassy rules before making any plans for international travel.

How Long Do You Have to Declare a Drug Driving Conviction to Insurers?

A DG10 or DR80 conviction stays on your driving record for 11 years. But insurance companies only require you to mention it for 5 years.

Conviction Code	Penalty Points	Time on Licence	Must Be Declared to Insurers for
DG10 – Drug level above limit	3-11	11 years	5 years
DR80 – Driving unfit through drugs	3-11	11 years	5 years
DG30 – Causing death by careless driving under influence of drugs	3-11	11 years	5 years
DR90 – In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs	10	4 years	5 years

After five years, insurance companies cannot legally use your conviction to set your premiums.

What Happens If You Are Caught Drug Driving Twice?

A second drug driving conviction brings much stronger punishments.

Offence	Penalty for First Offence	Penalty for Second Offence
Fine	Up to £5,000	Unlimited fine
Driving Ban	12 months minimum	3-year minimum
Penalty Points	3-11	6-11
Imprisonment	Up to 6 months	Up to 14 years if death is caused

Repeat offenders face:

You will lose your driving rights automatically for 3 years.
Insurers will conduct tougher background checks.
You may have to pay higher insurance costs or your policy might be denied.
If another accident occurs, you could go to prison.

Some insurance companies will not offer coverage to drivers who have been caught drug driving two times.

How to Reduce the Cost of Drug Driving Car Insurance

Insurance for drug drivers often costs more. But, there are ways to lower the payments:

Attend a Drug Driving Rehabilitation Course
- Some insurance companies might offer discounts if you complete a government-approved rehab course.
Choose a Lower-Risk Car
- Fast or modified cars can make insurance more expensive.
- Select a car in a lower insurance group to save money.
Increase Voluntary Excess
- Accepting a higher excess could reduce your monthly payments.
- Ensure you can pay this excess if you need to make a claim.
Compare Multiple Insurance Quotes
- Use an insurance comparison service to find the best price.
Opt for Black Box Insurance
- A telematics policy can show you drive safely, which may reduce costs.
Pay Annually Instead of Monthly
- Some insurance companies offer discounts for paying the full amount at once instead of monthly.
Rebuild No Claims Bonus
- Driving safely over the years can help keep future insurance costs down.