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  • You can find affordable insurance after a drink driving conviction.
  • Check out special insurers to get a good quote.
  • There are flexible options for drivers with a DR10 conviction.

What is a DR10 Conviction?

A DR10 conviction happens when a person is caught driving or trying to drive while being over the alcohol limit. This is a common drink driving offense in the UK. It leads to serious penalties. These can include penalty points, fines, and even a driving ban.

A DR10 conviction will remain on your driving licence for 11 years. This period starts from the date of conviction. You should inform your car insurance provider about it when you apply.

Legal Alcohol Limits for Driving in the UK

Drink driving laws in the UK have clear rules about how much alcohol a driver can have in their system. The legal limits are different in places like England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. In Scotland, the limit is lower than in the other regions.

UK Drink Driving Limits

Measurement England, Wales & Northern Ireland Scotland
Micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath 35 22
Milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood 80 50
Milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine 107 67

How Alcohol Affects Driving Ability

The effects of alcohol can change for each person. Things like age, gender, weight, metabolism, and how much food someone has eaten all matter. Even a little alcohol can make someone slower to react. It can also mess with their decisions and how well they move.

Key factors influencing alcohol absorption:

  • Age and sex - Younger drivers and women usually take longer to process alcohol than older men.
  • Body weight and build - People with less body weight feel the effects of alcohol more strongly.
  • Type of alcohol consumed - Stronger drinks raise blood alcohol levels more quickly.
  • Food intake - Drinking alcohol without food lets the body absorb it faster. This results in higher levels of intoxication.
  • Metabolism and hydration levels - When you are dehydrated or have a slow metabolism, alcohol stays in your body for a longer time.

Even if a driver is below the legal alcohol limit, alcohol can still affect their thinking and reactions. It can make their motor skills slower. This increases the risk of an accident happening.

Why There Is No ‘Safe’ Amount of Alcohol for Driving

Many drivers think they can have one or two drinks and still be under the legal limit. But, alcohol affects each person differently. There is no guarantee that you will stay below that limit.

  • The body usually processes one unit of alcohol every hour, but this can change.
  • Various drinks have different levels of alcohol. A pint of strong lager can contain more than 3 units, while a single shot of spirits has about 1 unit.
  • Drinking alcohol the night before can lead to high blood alcohol levels the next morning.

It is better not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive. If you choose to drink, make sure to find another way to get home. You can take public transport, get a taxi, or ask a friend to be your designated driver.

Scotland’s Lower Drink Driving Limit

Scotland has tougher rules about drink driving compared to the rest of the UK. In 2014, they reduced the legal limit to match several European countries.

  • The blood alcohol limit is now 50mg instead of 80mg for every 100ml of blood.
  • The breath alcohol limit is now 22mg instead of 35mg for every 100ml of breath.
  • One drink can now put a driver over the limit in Scotland.

Drink-driving cases in Scotland have dropped a lot since the new lower limit started. This shows that having tighter rules can help lower risky driving activities.

Legal Alcohol Limits for Driving in the UK

Why the Legal Limit Exists

The rules for drink driving are designed to lower car accidents caused by drivers who are not fully alert. Even a small amount of alcohol can increase their higher risk. It can make them make bad choices, misjudge how fast they are going, and respond slowly to dangers on the road.

Effects of Alcohol on Driving Ability:

Blood Alcohol Level (mg per 100ml) Effect on Driving
20-50mg Slight impairment, reduced reaction time
50-80mg Poor coordination, slower reflexes, reduced concentration
80-100mg Significant impairment, poor judgement, increased risk-taking
100mg+ Severe impairment, loss of motor skills, high accident risk

A driver can be within the legal limit but still might not drive safely. This could result in getting arrested and facing charges if their driving becomes unsafe.

Consequences of Drink Driving in the UK

Getting caught for drink driving can lead to serious legal penalties. These can include:

  • A driving ban for at least 12 months.
  • A fine that could be up to £2,500.
  • A risk of getting 3 to 11 penalty points on your driving licence.
  • You might get a prison sentence for up to 6 months for serious crimes.
  • A criminal record that can hurt your job chances and travel plans.
  • Higher car insurance premiums because you are seen as a high-risk driver.

If drink driving results in injury or death, the punishments get stricter. This means longer driving bans and prison sentences that can last up to 14 years.

How a DR10 Conviction Affects Car Insurance

Insurance providers see drink drivers as high risk. A DR10 conviction can lead to a big rise in insurance premiums. Some insurers might even choose not to offer coverage.

Key impacts of a DR10 on car insurance:

  • Premium increase - Your costs may go up by 50% to 150% compared to standard car insurance.
  • Fewer insurance providers available - There are few insurance providers that offer coverage for convicted drink drivers.
  • Higher voluntary excess required - Some insurers might ask for a higher voluntary excess before they provide coverage.
  • Limited payment options - You may need to pay the entire amount upfront, since monthly payments might not be available.

How Long Does a DR10 Stay on Your Record?

Conviction Code Offence Description Penalty Points How Long It Stays on Licence
DR10 Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit 3 - 11 11 years
DR20 Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink 3 - 11 11 years
DR30 Failing to supply a specimen for analysis 3 - 11 11 years
DR40 In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit 10 4 years
DR50 In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink 10 4 years
DR60 Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in non-driving circumstances 10 4 years
DR70 Failing to co-operate with a preliminary roadside test - 4 years

A DR10 conviction stays on your record for five years. You have to let insurance providers know about it when you apply for coverage.

Types of Car Insurance for Convicted Drink Drivers

Drivers who have a DR10 conviction can still find car insurance. However, their options might be fewer. Here are the main types of drink driver car insurance:

  1. Third Party Only

    • This is the basic legal coverage you need to drive.
    • It pays for damage to other cars and for injuries to people.
    • It does not cover damage to your own car.
  2. Third Party, Fire, and Theft

    • It covers damage to other people's property.
    • It also protects your car from fire and theft.
  3. Fully Comprehensive

    • This is the best level of cover you can get.
    • It protects both your car and other cars.
    • Sometimes, insurance companies might charge less for this option than for third-party insurance.
  4. Black Box Insurance

    • This uses a device to track how you drive.
    • If you drive safely, this can lower your insurance costs, even if you have a past conviction.

Ways to Reduce the Cost of DR10 Car Insurance

Insurance costs more for drivers who have been convicted of drinking and driving. But there are ways to save money:

  1. Attend a Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course

    • Some insurance companies give discounts if you finish a government-approved driving rehabilitation course.
  2. Increase Your Voluntary Excess

    • A higher voluntary excess can help lower your monthly payments.
  3. Choose a Smaller or Lower-Risk Car

    • High-performance cars have higher insurance costs.
    • Smaller cars in safer insurance groups can reduce your premiums.
  4. Compare Multiple Insurance Quotes

    • Using an insurance comparison service can help you find the best deal.
  5. Consider Black Box Insurance

    • A telematics policy can track your driving habits and might help lower premiums.
  6. Pay Annually Instead of Monthly

    • Some insurance companies give discounts when you pay for the year at once instead of monthly.
  7. Build Your No Claims Discount

    • Safe driving over time can lower your future insurance costs.
Compare DR10 Drink Driver Car Insurance Today

Compare DR10 Drink Driver Car Insurance Today

  • Look for insurance providers that help convicted drink drivers.
  • Compare different policies to get the best deal.
  • You may have flexible payment options available to select from.

FAQs About DR10 Drink Driver Car Insurance

Yes, you will probably notice higher premiums and fewer insurance providers. Specialised insurers provide coverage for people who have been convicted of drink driving.

A DR10 will remain on your licence for 11 years. However, it is unspent for only five years. This means that insurance companies could charge you more during those five years.

Some insurance companies may reduce your premium if you take a drink driving rehabilitation course.

Third-party insurance usually costs less. However, some companies provide better deals on fully comprehensive policies.

Some insurance companies might not provide coverage. However, if you choose a drink driver insurance provider, it can help you find a better price.

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Page last updated on: 18/03/2025

Page reviewed by: Shay Ramani

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