SP50 Conviction and Car Insurance: What It Means for Your Cover

An SP50 is the driving endorsement code for exceeding the speed limit on a motorway. It can lead to 3 to 6 penalty points, while more serious cases can result in a driving ban. It may also affect the price and availability of car or van insurance.

If you have an SP50, you may still be able to get insured. At Got You Covered, we arrange convicted driver insurance for people with motoring convictions and penalty points. Cover, price and terms will depend on your full details and the insurer.

What does an SP50 conviction mean?

SP50 is the endorsement code for exceeding the speed limit on a motorway. SP50 carries 3 to 6 penalty points.

The phrase “SP50 conviction” is widely used, but SP50 is technically an endorsement code. Some speeding offences are dealt with through a Fixed Penalty Notice rather than a court conviction. Points and an endorsement can still be recorded on your driving record.

An SP50 can also apply when a motorway has a lower temporary or variable limit. Drivers must not exceed a speed limit shown within a red circle. This means an SP50 could follow speeding in a 40, 50 or 60 mph motorway limit, not just driving above 70 mph.

You can also read our SP50 conviction definition or explore our wider insurance glossary.

What are the penalties for an SP50?

The usual minimum speeding penalty is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points. In some cases, the police may offer a speed awareness course instead.

More serious speeding can go to court. For motorway speeding, the maximum fine can be £2,500. A court can also give penalty points or impose a driving ban.

For cases in England and Wales, the Sentencing Council's speeding rules set sentencing ranges based on the speed limit and the recorded speed.

For a 70 mph speed limit, the ranges are:

• 71 to 90 mph: 3 penalty points
• 91 to 100 mph: 4 to 6 penalty points, or a driving ban of 7 to 28 days
• 101 mph and above: 6 penalty points, or a driving ban of 7 to 56 days

These are sentencing ranges rather than fixed outcomes. The court will consider the full circumstances of the offence before deciding the penalty.

If you reach 12 or more penalty points within three years, you may face a totting-up disqualification. New drivers can have their licence revoked if they reach 6 or more points within two years of passing their first test.

Our glossary explains more about penalty points and a totting-up ban.

Can you get car insurance with an SP50?

Yes. An SP50 does not automatically stop you from getting car insurance.

However, some insurers may treat a motorway speeding offence as a higher risk. This can affect whether they offer cover, the premium, the excess or other policy terms.

A single older three-point SP50 may be treated differently from a recent six-point offence, several speeding endorsements or an offence that led to a ban.

If your SP50 resulted in a driving ban, the insurance information here applies after the ban has ended and once you are legally entitled to drive again. You may need to restore your licence before driving. You can check what happens after a driving disqualification.

How can an SP50 affect your insurance cost?

There is no fixed amount that an SP50 adds to your insurance premium.

Insurers have different underwriting rules and may consider:

• the date of the SP50 and number of points
• other motoring offences
• previous accidents and claims
• your age and driving experience
• the vehicle you drive
• your postcode, mileage and vehicle use
• your no-claims bonus
• any previous driving ban.

Our article on what affects your car insurance premium explains more. You can also see what we mean by an insurance premium.

If you have more than one speeding endorsement, our article on car insurance with multiple speeding points may also help.

How long does an SP50 stay on your driving record?

An SP50 normally stays on your driving record for four years.

For most speeding endorsements, the four years run from the date of the offence. Where a disqualification is imposed, the four-year period runs from the date of conviction.

Do not assume the four-year DVLA record period is the same as every insurer’s question period. An insurer may ask about convictions, endorsements, penalty points, fixed penalties or bans over a stated number of years. Read each question carefully and answer what is asked.

Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012, consumers must take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation when buying or renewing insurance. The Financial Ombudsman Service also explains how incorrect or incomplete information can affect a policy.

You can check your driving record online before getting a quote.

What should you have ready before getting a quote?

It can help to have the following information ready:

• your SP50 code
• offence and conviction dates, where relevant
• the number of penalty points
• details of any fine or driving ban
• your claims history
• your no-claims bonus
• vehicle details, mileage and use
• details of named drivers or modifications.

You may also want to check your proof of no-claims bonus before applying.

Ways to improve your chances of finding suitable cover

Make sure your quote is based on accurate information. Keep your driving record as clean as possible, choose a vehicle that suits your needs and give a realistic annual mileage.

Make sure the correct main driver is listed and that the vehicle use is accurate.

Different insurers can also treat the same driving history in different ways. Looking at insurers that consider drivers with previous motoring offences may give you more options.

Getting insurance after an SP50 with Got You Covered

We specialise in helping drivers whose circumstances may not fit a standard online quote. This includes drivers with motoring convictions, previous claims and a low no-claims bonus.

Through our convicted driver insurance service, we can look for cover based on your SP50, wider driving history and the vehicle you need to insure.

We can arrange car insurance and van insurance for eligible drivers. If previous claims are also affecting your quotes, you can find more information about previous claims in our glossary.

We arrange insurance through insurers, so we cannot guarantee acceptance or a particular price. Premiums, excesses, restrictions and cover will depend on the insurer, the policy and the details you provide.

If you want to discuss your circumstances with our team, contact us.

SP50 conviction FAQs

What does SP50 mean on a driving licence?

SP50 is the endorsement code for exceeding the speed limit on a motorway. It carries 3 to 6 penalty points.

Can I get car insurance with an SP50?

Yes, insurance may still be available. An SP50 can affect the price, terms and number of insurers willing to offer cover, but it does not automatically prevent you from getting insured.

How long does an SP50 stay on your driving record?

It normally stays on your driving record for four years. The starting date can differ if a disqualification was imposed.

Do I need to tell my insurer about an SP50?

Answer the insurer’s questions exactly as they are written. If you receive an SP50 during an existing policy, check your policy terms to see whether it must be reported straight away or at renewal.

Can an SP50 lead to a driving ban?

Yes. A court can impose a ban for more serious motorway speeding. A ban may also result from reaching 12 or more penalty points within three years. Insurance to drive is only relevant once the ban has ended and you are legally entitled to drive again.