A drug driving conviction can affect your licence, legal record and future car or van insurance options.
A drug-driving conviction may relate to driving, attempting to drive or being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs or above a specified drug limit.
It can apply if a driver is unfit because of legal or illegal drugs. It can also apply if certain drugs are found in the body above set limits. This can include some prescription medicines if they affect driving, or if they have not been taken as prescribed. GOV.UK explains the main drug driving law for England, Scotland and Wales.
Drug driving offences can appear on a driving record under different codes.
DG10 means driving or trying to drive with a drug level above the specified limit. DR80 means driving or trying to drive while unfit through drugs. GOV.UK lists both in its endorsement codes and penalty points guidance.
DG10 and DR80 can carry 3 to 11 penalty points. They stay on the driving record for 11 years from the date of conviction.
DG40, for being in charge while above a specified drug limit, and DR90, for being in charge while unfit through drugs, carry 10 points. They normally remain on the driving record for four years from the offence date, or four years from conviction if disqualification is imposed.
Drug driving is a serious offence. A conviction can lead to a minimum 1-year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison and a criminal record. GOV.UK also says the conviction will show on the licence for 11 years under its drugs and driving penalties guidance.
The Sentencing Council also confirms that driving or trying to drive with a specified drug above the limit carries an obligatory minimum 12-month disqualification. In some repeat cases, the minimum ban can be 3 years. You can read this in the Sentencing Council guideline.
Endorsements stay on a driving record for either 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence. GOV.UK explains how long endorsements remain on your record in its driving record guidance.
This is not always the same as the insurance disclosure period. GOV.UK says adult driving endorsements usually have a 5-year rehabilitation period from conviction. A driving ban becomes spent when the ban has ended. If more than one sentence is given, the latest rehabilitation date applies. This is covered in the GOV.UK guide to rehabilitation periods.
A drug driving conviction can make car or van insurance harder to arrange. Some insurers may see it as a higher-risk offence. This can affect price, excesses, cover terms, or whether an insurer can offer cover.
MoneyHelper says you should disclose unspent convictions when asked by an insurer. It also warns that failing to disclose a conviction when asked could make insurance invalid or affect a claim. Its guide to insurance and criminal convictions gives more detail.
If you get a conviction during a policy, you usually tell the insurer at renewal unless the policy terms say you must tell them sooner. Always check your own policy wording.
Check the exact conviction code, conviction date, ban length, penalty points and whether the conviction is spent.
Also check what the insurer asks for. A question may ask about motoring convictions, criminal convictions, pending cases, all drivers, or any changes during the policy term.
Some policies may exclude claims linked to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. On our convicted driver insurance page, we explain that accidents or damage caused while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not covered under our specialised car insurance policies.
We arrange insurance through insurers for drivers with a range of circumstances, including previous motoring convictions. We may be able to help with car insurance, van insurance, or specialist convicted driver cover, depending on the full details.
Some policies may exclude claims arising while the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Check the applicable policy wording and schedule for the exact exclusion.
Insurance information must be clear, fair and not misleading under the FCA’s insurance conduct rules. That is why it is important to answer questions carefully and check the policy terms before you buy.
A drug driving conviction can affect your licence, legal record and insurance. It may lead to a ban, points, a criminal record and a long endorsement period.
When applying for insurance, answer all questions honestly and check what the policy covers. Cover and acceptance depend on the insurer, the policy terms and your full circumstances.
