A DR50 is a drink-related motoring conviction for being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through alcohol.
A DR50 conviction is a motoring conviction for being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink.
It is not the same as driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink. A person may be “in charge” of a vehicle even if they are not driving at the time. The offence is linked to being in control of the vehicle while unfit through drink. The Crown Prosecution Service explains the offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 drink and drug driving rules.
GOV.UK lists DR50 as “in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink”. It also shows that DR50 is a separate offence code from DR40, which is being in charge of a vehicle while over the alcohol limit. You can check the official wording in the GOV.UK endorsement codes.
A DR50 conviction can lead to 10 penalty points if the court does not ban the driver. The court may also decide to disqualify the driver, depending on the case.
The Sentencing Council says the offence can carry a fine, custody, penalty points, or a driving ban. The court will look at the facts, such as the level of impairment and how likely the person was to drive. You can read the official guidance for being unfit through drink or drugs while in charge.
In some drink-related cases, high-risk offender rules may also apply. GOV.UK says a high-risk offender may need to prove they are fit to drive and pass a DVLA medical before getting a licence back. This can apply after certain drink-driving cases, such as repeat offences or a high alcohol reading. You can find more detail in GOV.UK’s guide to disqualification for drink-driving.
GOV.UK says DR40 to DR70 codes stay on a driving record for four years. This is usually from the date of the offence, or from the date of conviction if the court gives a driving ban. The official record period is set out in the GOV.UK endorsement code guidance.
An endorsement can still be visible after it stops being valid for penalty points. GOV.UK explains how long endorsements stay on your record and when they may be seen by other people, such as insurers or employers, in its guide to how long endorsements stay on a driving record.
This is separate from when a conviction becomes spent. GOV.UK says rehabilitation periods depend on the sentence. For adults, a driving endorsement is usually spent after five years from the date of conviction. A driving ban is spent when the ban has ended. You can check the official rehabilitation period guidance.
A DR50 can affect car or van insurance because it is a drink-related motoring conviction. Some insurers may see it as a higher risk. Some may ask for more detail before they decide whether to offer a quote.
The impact can depend on the insurer, the date of conviction, any ban, the vehicle, how the vehicle is used, claims history, no-claims bonus, and any other convictions.
When applying for insurance, it is important to answer the questions carefully. MoneyHelper explains that you usually need to tell an insurer about unspent convictions, but spent convictions do not normally need to be declared when applying for insurance. You can read more in its guide to getting insurance with a criminal conviction.
The Financial Ombudsman Service explains that incomplete or misleading answers can cause problems. Depending on the facts, an insurer may change the policy terms, charge more, reduce a claim payment, or treat the policy as if it never existed. This will depend on the question asked and whether the customer took reasonable care. You can read more about misrepresentation and non-disclosure.
An insurer may ask for:
The exact questions can vary. You should answer the questions asked and avoid guessing. If you are unsure about your driving record, you can check your licence details through GOV.UK before applying.
We arrange insurance for drivers whose circumstances may not fit a standard quote. This can include drivers with motoring convictions, claims, or a low no-claims bonus.
If you have a DR50 conviction, we may be able to help you look for suitable convicted driver insurance, depending on the full details. We can also help with car insurance and van insurance where a motoring conviction needs to be declared.
A DR50 conviction does not mean every insurer will offer cover. It also does not mean the price, excess, or terms will be the same with each insurer. Any cover will depend on the insurer, your details, and the policy terms.
A DR50 conviction means being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink. It can lead to 10 penalty points or a driving ban, depending on the court’s decision.
It can also affect insurance. The key points are to know what the code means, check whether the conviction is spent or unspent, and answer insurer questions with care. Cover may still be possible, but it depends on the insurer, the policy, and your full driving history.
