DG10 Conviction and Car Insurance: What It Means and How to Get Cover

A DG10 conviction means you have been convicted of driving, or attempting to drive, with a specified drug above the legal limit. It is a serious motoring offence and can lead to a driving ban, fine, criminal record and, in some cases, a prison sentence.

A DG10 can also make car insurance harder or more expensive to arrange. However, car insurance may still be available after a DG10 conviction once your ban has ended, your licence has been properly restored and you are legally allowed to drive again.

At Got You Covered, we specialise in convicted driver insurance for people whose driving history can make standard cover harder to find.

What does a DG10 conviction mean?

DG10 is the endorsement code for driving or attempting to drive with a specified drug above the legal limit. The DVLA lists DG10 as a drug-driving offence.

Our insurance glossary also explains what a driving conviction means and how convictions can affect insurance.

DG10 is different from DR80. DG10 relates to being over the specified drug limit. DR80 relates to driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drugs.

The drug-driving law covers illegal drugs and certain prescription medicines. A medical defence may apply in some cases where medicine was prescribed or supplied for medical reasons and taken as directed. You must still not drive if medicine makes you unfit to do so.

What are the penalties for a DG10 conviction?

The DVLA lists DG10 as carrying 3 to 11 penalty points.

For adults sentenced in England and Wales for driving or attempting to drive above a specified drug limit, disqualification is obligatory and the minimum ban is 12 months.

The offence can also lead to:

• an unlimited fine
• up to six months in prison
• a criminal record
• a driving endorsement
• a longer driving ban in more serious cases.

The result depends on the circumstances and any previous offences. Our glossary explains what a driving ban means if you have been disqualified.

How long does a DG10 stay on your driving record?

A DG10 endorsement normally stays on your DVLA driving record for 11 years from the date of conviction. GOV.UK sets out how long driving endorsements stay on your record.

This is not the same as the period during which a conviction is unspent.

For adults in England and Wales, a driving endorsement generally has a rehabilitation period of five years from conviction. Other sentences given at the same time can affect when a conviction becomes spent.

This means the 11-year DVLA record period does not automatically mean you must declare a DG10 to insurers for 11 years.

Can you get car insurance with a DG10 conviction?

Yes, car insurance may still be available after a DG10 conviction.

Some insurers may not offer a quote. Others may offer cover at a higher price or with different terms. It will depend on the insurer and your circumstances.

If you received a driving ban, insurance for driving again only becomes relevant once that ban has ended and your licence has been properly restored. After a drug-driving disqualification, you must apply for a new driving licence before driving again.

At Got You Covered, we arrange convicted driver insurance for people who may not fit the rules used by some standard insurers.

If you need cover for a van rather than a car, our van insurance service may also be able to help.

How does a DG10 affect car insurance costs?

There is no fixed amount that a DG10 will add to your insurance.

Each insurer has its own underwriting rules. A conviction may affect your insurance premium, which insurers are willing to quote and the terms they offer.

Factors they may consider include:

• how recent the DG10 is
• the length of your ban
• other convictions or penalty points
• previous accidents and claims
• the car or van you drive
• your mileage and vehicle use
• your postcode and occupation
• your no-claims bonus.

Your conviction could also affect your insurance excess.

You can find more detail on other pricing factors in our article on what affects your car insurance premium.

Do you need to declare a DG10 to your insurer?

When an insurer asks about convictions, answer the question fully and accurately.

MoneyHelper explains that unspent convictions need to be disclosed when an insurer asks about them. Spent convictions do not normally need to be disclosed when applying for ordinary insurance.

An insurer may ask for:

• your DG10 conviction code
• the conviction date
• any penalty points
• the length of your ban
• other motoring convictions
• previous claims.

If you cannot remember the details, you can check your driving licence information online.

Avoid guessing. Incorrect or incomplete information could cause problems with your policy or a future claim.

What should you have ready before getting a quote?

Before contacting Got You Covered, it can help to have your:

• DG10 conviction date
• ban dates and length
• current driving licence status
• other conviction or claim details
• vehicle registration
• estimated annual mileage
• vehicle use
• occupation
• proof of any no-claims bonus.

Having the right information ready can make it easier for us to look for suitable cover.

How can you improve your chances of finding suitable cover?

There is no guaranteed way to make DG10 insurance cheaper. However, a few practical steps can help.

Give insurers accurate information and keep proof of any no-claims bonus you have.

It is also worth thinking about the vehicle you want to insure. Expensive or high-performance vehicles can cost more to cover, so checking insurance costs before buying a car can be useful.

Using a specialist broker can also help. Insurers take different approaches to motoring convictions. At Got You Covered, we can look for options from insurers that consider drivers who need convicted driver insurance.

DG10 insurance with Got You Covered

A DG10 conviction can make car insurance more challenging, but it does not automatically stop you from getting cover once you are legally able to drive again.

At Got You Covered, we specialise in helping drivers with previous motoring convictions, previous claims and a low or zero no-claims bonus. We look at your full circumstances when searching for suitable options from the insurers available to us.

Cover and price are not guaranteed. They depend on the insurer, your driving history, your vehicle and the policy terms.

If your ban has ended and your licence has been properly restored, explore our convicted driver insurance or contact Got You Covered to discuss your circumstances.

DG10 conviction and insurance FAQs

Can I get car insurance with a DG10?

Yes. Insurance may be available once any driving ban has ended and your licence has been properly restored. The price and insurers available will depend on your circumstances.

How long does a DG10 stay on your driving record?

A DG10 normally stays on your DVLA driving record for 11 years from the date of conviction.

Do I have to declare a DG10 for 11 years?

Not necessarily. The DVLA record period and the rehabilitation period are different. Whether you need to disclose the conviction will depend on whether it is spent and what the insurer asks.

What is the minimum driving ban for a DG10?

For adults sentenced in England and Wales, the minimum disqualification for driving or attempting to drive above a specified drug limit is normally 12 months.

Is DG10 the same as DR80?

No. DG10 relates to driving or attempting to drive above the specified drug limit. DR80 relates to driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drugs.