CU80 is an endorsement code for breaching vehicle-control rules. It is often used when a driver holds and uses a phone while driving.
CU80 is a driving endorsement code for a breach of vehicle-control requirements. It means there has been a breach of vehicle-control rules. GOV.UK describes CU80 as a “breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone”. It sits under construction and use offences and carries 3 to 6 penalty points.
CU80 is often linked to mobile phone use while driving. The law says you must not hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or similar device that can send or receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle. This applies even if the device is offline. It can also apply while you are stopped in traffic or supervising a learner driver. You can read the main rules on using a phone while driving.
The penalty depends on the offence and how it is dealt with. For holding and using a phone or similar device while driving, you can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine. If you do not have a full view of the road and traffic ahead, or you are not in proper control of the vehicle, you can get 3 penalty points.
A case can also go to court. The court may ban you from driving or riding. It can also give a fine of up to £1,000, or up to £2,500 if you were driving a lorry or bus. The Sentencing Council also lists using a mobile telephone while driving as an offence that can lead to 6 points and a fine.
New drivers need to take extra care. If you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your first driving test, your licence will be revoked. You would need to apply for a new provisional licence and pass both parts of the test again. GOV.UK explains this under new driver penalty point rules.
A CU80 endorsement stays on your driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence. It is valid for the first 3 years, which means a court can take it into account if you commit another offence during that time. GOV.UK explains how long endorsements stay on your driving record.
Insurance disclosure periods can be different. GOV.UK’s rehabilitation guidance says driving endorsements are spent after 5 years from the date of conviction for adults, and 2 years 6 months for people under 18. You can check the guidance on rehabilitation periods. If you are not sure whether your CU80 is spent, check before you answer insurance questions.
A CU80 may affect your car insurance or van insurance. Insurers may see mobile phone use or poor vehicle control as a risk factor. The effect can vary by insurer, the number of points, the age of the conviction, your claims history, your vehicle, and how you use it.
You should answer insurance questions with care. MoneyHelper says you only need to tell an insurer about a conviction if they ask, and you do not need to disclose a spent conviction when applying for insurance, even if asked. Its guide to getting insurance with a criminal conviction explains this in more detail.
If details are wrong or missing, it can cause problems later. The Financial Ombudsman Service explains that misrepresentation and non-disclosure can include incomplete, misleading, careless, deliberate, or reckless information. In some cases, an insurer may charge more, restrict cover, reduce a claim, refuse a claim, or avoid the policy, depending on the facts and policy terms.
We arrange insurance through insurers for drivers in a range of non-standard situations. This includes drivers with motoring convictions, claims, and a low no-claims bonus.
A CU80 does not mean cover is guaranteed. It also does not mean every insurer will offer a quote. Price, acceptance, excesses, restrictions, and cover terms can vary. We may be able to help you look for convicted driver insurance through insurers that consider drivers with convictions.
A CU80 is a motoring conviction for breaching vehicle-control rules, often linked to mobile phone use. It can lead to points, a fine, and in some cases a court hearing or driving ban. It can also affect car or van insurance, especially while the conviction is unspent. Always give clear and accurate answers when asked about convictions, points, or driving history.
