How Does a CD20 Conviction Affect Car Insurance?

A CD20 endorsement may affect the price and terms of car insurance. It may also reduce the number of insurers willing to offer cover. However, insurance may still be available.

At Got You Covered, we specialise in insurance for drivers with previous motoring convictions. We can search the options available through us. Any quote is subject to the insurer’s acceptance criteria and the terms offered.

The endorsement information below applies to Great Britain. The linked sentencing guideline applies to England and Wales. Different rules may apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What does a CD20 conviction mean?

CD20 is the endorsement code for driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.

The DVLA list of endorsement codes confirms that a CD20 carries between 3 and 9 penalty points.

In general, the offence relates to driving that inconveniences other road users. The facts of the case will affect how the offence is dealt with.

What are the penalties for a CD20?

For an adult sentenced in England or Wales, the court may impose a fine. It must also add penalty points or may impose a driving ban. If no ban is imposed, the offence carries between 3 and 9 points.

The sentence will depend on the facts, the seriousness of the offence and any relevant previous convictions.

The Sentencing Council guideline for careless driving explains how courts assess the seriousness of the offence.

Reaching 12 or more penalty points within three years will normally result in a totting-up disqualification. The court will consider the facts of the case.

A new driver’s licence will normally be revoked if they receive 6 or more points within two years of passing their first test. As a CD20 can carry up to 9 points, one conviction could trigger this rule.

A person must not drive while disqualified. Depending on the ban, they may need to apply for a new licence or pass a test before driving again.

Can you get car insurance with a CD20?

Car insurance may still be available after a CD20 conviction. However, insurers may:

• Charge a higher premium
• Apply a higher excess
• Offer different terms or levels of cover
• Decline to provide a quote

Each insurer uses its own underwriting rules. The outcome will depend on the information given and the insurer’s acceptance criteria.

Got You Covered can discuss the information needed for a quote and search the options available through us.

How much will a CD20 affect your premium?

There is no fixed price increase for a CD20. Insurers may consider:

• The date of the offence
• The number of points
• Whether you received a ban
• Other convictions, accidents or claims
• Your age and driving experience
• The vehicle and where it is kept
• Your mileage and vehicle use
• Your no-claims discount

The final price and terms will depend on the insurer’s assessment of the full application.

A recent CD20 with 9 points may be assessed differently from an older offence with 3 points.

Our blog on what affects your car insurance premium explains other factors insurers may consider.

How long does a CD20 stay on your record?

The DVLA states that a CD20 stays on a driving record for four years from the date of the offence.

You can check your code, points and removal date through the government’s view or share your driving licence information service.

The time an endorsement appears on your record is not always the same as the period for which the conviction remains unspent. For England and Wales, the government’s rehabilitation period guidance lists a five-year rehabilitation period for an adult driving endorsement. A longer ban or another court sentence may result in a different date. Different rehabilitation rules apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Do you need to tell your current insurer?

This depends on your policy terms.

Some policies require new points, convictions or bans to be reported during the policy term. Other policies ask for this information at renewal or when a policy is changed.

The policy wording and statement of fact should explain what must be reported and when. The insurer or broker can also explain the policy requirements.

When applying for, renewing or changing consumer insurance, the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 requires a consumer to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation.

Not every mistake has the same outcome. An insurer’s remedy depends on the facts, whether the misrepresentation was qualifying, and whether it was careless, deliberate or reckless.

Possible outcomes may include:

• Different policy terms
• A reduced claim payment
• The policy being treated as if it had not existed

The Financial Ombudsman Service explains how insurance misrepresentation is assessed.

What information may be needed for a quote?

An insurer or broker may ask for:

• Your conviction code and dates
• The number of points imposed
• The dates of any ban
• Details of other convictions and claims
• Confirmation that your licence is valid
• Your mileage and vehicle use
• Vehicle and modification details
• Proof of your no-claims discount

Where a detail is not known, a driving record or court document may help confirm it.

You can also read our guide to finding and proving your no-claims discount.

Getting CD20 car insurance with Got You Covered

Got You Covered Limited is an insurance broker authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our firm reference number is 771679.

We specialise in helping drivers with previous motoring convictions, claims and low no-claims discounts. We can explain what information is needed for a quote and search the insurance options available through us.

The quote and policy documents will set out the total price, excesses, cover, exclusions, payment terms and cancellation terms. The Insurance Product Information Document and full policy wording contain important details about the cover offered.

We cannot guarantee that an insurer will offer cover or that a quote will be cheaper than one available elsewhere. Insurance acceptance, price, cover and terms depend on the insurer and the information supplied.

Learn more about our convicted driver insurance, explore our van insurance or contact Got You Covered.

Frequently asked questions

Does a CD20 always increase car insurance?

Not necessarily. A CD20 may lead to a higher premium, a higher excess, different terms or fewer insurance options. The outcome depends on the insurer’s assessment of the full application.

Is a CD20 the same as a CD10?

No. A CD10 is driving without due care and attention. A CD20 is driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.

How long does a CD20 stay on your licence?

It normally stays on a Great Britain driving record for four years from the date of the offence.

Can a new driver lose their licence because of a CD20?

A new driver’s licence is revoked if they receive 6 or more points within two years of passing their first driving test. A single CD20 endorsement of 6 or more points can trigger this rule.