How a DR40 Conviction Affects Your Car Insurance

If you are looking for DR40 car insurance, the short answer is this: cover is often still available, but it may cost more and fewer insurers may quote. A DR40 is the code for being in charge of a vehicle while alcohol level is above the legal limit. It carries 10 penalty points, and insurers may treat it as a serious alcohol-related risk while the conviction is still unspent. At Got You Covered, we help drivers in this position find cover once they are legally able to drive again.

The main point for most drivers is not whether insurance is possible, but how much choice is left and what price they may be asked to pay. That is why DR40 convictions often push people away from standard comparison sites and move to more specialist help.

What this conviction means

A DR40 is a drink-related endorsement code, but it is not the same as a DR10. DR40 covers being in charge of a vehicle while alcohol level is above the legal limit, while DR10 covers driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above the legal limit. That distinction matters because a driver can still face a DR40 allegation even if they are not actually driving the vehicle.

This is why DR40 cases can surprise people. The law covers being in charge as well as driving. There is also a defence where there was no likelihood of driving the vehicle while over the limit, but if you already have the conviction, insurers will usually focus on the code, the dates, and the wider risk.

The alcohol limit itself depends on where the offence happened. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the breath limit is 35 microgrammes, while Scotland uses 22 microgrammes. Because DR40 is an above-the-limit offence, those legal thresholds sit at the heart of the conviction.

Penalties and licence impact

A DR40 is serious. GOV.UK says the offence can lead to up to 3 months in prison, a fine of up to £2,500, and a possible driving ban. The Sentencing Council also says the court must endorse and may disqualify. If the court does not disqualify, it should impose 10 points.

For licence records, GOV.UK says DR40 stays on your driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence, or 4 years from the date of conviction if a disqualification is imposed. That is the record period on the licence itself, not necessarily the full disclosure period for insurance.

In more serious drink-related cases, getting your licence back can involve more than simply waiting for the ban to end. GOV.UK explains that some drivers fall into the high-risk offender process, which means a DVLA medical before a new licence is issued. The Sentencing Council’s DR40 guideline also says this can apply where the alcohol reading was high enough and a disqualification was imposed.

Can you still get insured?

Yes, in many cases, you can still get insured after a DR40 conviction. The key issue is timing. You cannot drive until your disqualification has ended, and if you are disqualified for 56 days or more, you must apply for a new licence before driving again.

Once you are legally allowed to drive again, insurance may still be available, but it can be harder to place. MoneyHelper explains that cover may be more expensive if you have an unspent conviction, and that mainstream insurers commonly do not cover drivers with unspent convictions. The same guide says a specialist or non-standard policy may be needed, and GOV.UK also notes that you may want to use an insurance broker.

This is where we can help. Our Drink Driver Insurance and Convicted Driver Insurance pages explain how we support drivers with drink-related convictions, previous claims, and low no-claims bonus cases when standard routes are limited.

Why insurers may charge more

Insurers do not price a DR40 in isolation. They may look at your postcode, where the car is kept overnight, your annual mileage, your job, your claims history, and the vehicle itself, as well as your no-claims bonus. That is why two drivers with the same DR40 code can still get very different prices.

There is no fixed rule that a DR40 premium will double. In practice, the effect can vary a lot between insurers. The safest and most accurate message is that prices often rise, choice may narrow, and specialist placement can become more important while the conviction is recent or unspent.

It is also worth remembering that insurers may look past the conviction code itself. A modest car, lower mileage, and a stronger recent claims record can present a different picture from a more powerful vehicle, higher mileage, and a more complicated driving history. If you want wider context, our guide on what affects your car insurance premium covers the main rating factors in more detail.

How long does it stay on your record, and what do you need to disclose

There are two separate timelines to understand. First, the DR40 code stays on the driving record for 4 years. Second, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders rules, driving endorsements have a 5-year rehabilitation period from the date of conviction for adults. GOV.UK also says that where more than one sentence is imposed for the same conviction, the longest rehabilitation period usually applies. In practice, that means many adult DR40 convictions will regularly remain unspent for 5 years from conviction, even though the code usually drops off the licence after 4 years.

You do not have to tell every insurer about a DR40 forever. MoneyHelper explains that you usually only need to tell an insurer about a conviction when they ask. It also says that if you get a conviction during a policy, you normally do not need to report it until renewal unless the policy says otherwise. Many motor insurers ask about convictions in the last 5 years, but some ask for longer, so always answer the exact question in front of you.

Getting the answer wrong can cause real problems. The Financial Ombudsman Service says that under CIDRA 2012, customers must take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation. It also explains that an insurer may charge more, restrict cover, settle a claim proportionately, or avoid the policy if the true answer would have changed the risk.

Before you apply, it is worth checking your record on the official view your driving licence information service, so you use the right code and dates. If you were banned, you can also check when your disqualification ends.

What to prepare before you apply, and ways to improve your chances

Before you start a quote, it helps to have the essentials ready. That usually means the exact DR40 code, the date of the offence or conviction, whether you received points or a ban, the end date of any disqualification, whether your licence has been restored, and the usual insurance details such as your car, annual mileage, overnight parking, no-claims bonus, and any recent claims or other convictions.

If you were banned for 12 months or more, the court can offer a drink-drive rehabilitation course. GOV.UK says it can cost up to £250 and the ban is usually reduced by a quarter if you complete it in time. That does not guarantee cheaper insurance, but some insurers may view it positively, and it may help you get back on the road sooner.

Small changes can also improve your chances over time. Choosing a simpler car may help. Keeping your mileage realistic matters. Rebuilding your no-claims bonus can also help. Most of all, make sure you answer all questions honestly and do not guess. Accuracy matters just as much as the conviction itself.

Getting insured with Got You Covered

At Got You Covered, we specialise in helping drivers who do not neatly fit standard insurer rules. Our Car Insurance, Drink Driver Insurance, and Convicted Driver Insurance pages are built for drivers with convictions, previous claims, or a low no-claims bonus who may need a more specialist route.

We know a DR40 conviction can make the process feel stressful. We can help you understand what insurers are likely to ask, check that the right conviction code is being used, and look for suitable cover once you are legally allowed to drive again. Because some non-standard risks need a more manual approach, our best quote is not always available online.

If you want a wider background first, read our guide on how to get car or van insurance after a drink-driving conviction, our article on what affects your car insurance premium, or our post on what to do if you have had a previous motoring conviction. If you would rather speak to us now, you can contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Is DR40 the same as DR10?

No. DR40 is being in charge of a vehicle while alcohol level is above the legal limit. DR10 is driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above the legal limit. Both are serious, but they are different offence codes.

Can I insure my car while I am still banned?

You cannot drive on the road while you are disqualified. If your ban was 56 days or more, you must apply for a new licence before driving again. The first step is to make sure you are legally entitled to drive again.

How long will insurers ask about a DR40?

There is no single rule used by every insurer. Many ask about motoring convictions in the last 5 years, but some ask longer. For adults, driving endorsements have a 5-year rehabilitation period, which is why the 5-year mark often matters in practice.

Will a drink-drive course definitely lower my premium?

No. The course can reduce your ban by up to a quarter if you are offered it and complete it in time, but it does not guarantee a lower premium. Some insurers may still take it into account as part of the overall risk picture.

Does a DR40 stop me getting cover completely?

No, not always. Cover is often still available, but it may be more expensive and fewer insurers may quote while the conviction is recent or unspent. Specialist help can make the search much easier.