What is a CD10 Driving Conviction?

A CD10 driving conviction means you have been convicted, or received an endorsement, for driving without due care and attention. This is often called careless driving.

A CD10 can lead to 3 to 9 penalty points, a fine, and in more serious cases, a driving ban. It can also make car insurance harder to find or more expensive.

At Got You Covered, we help drivers with motoring convictions find suitable car insurance when standard options may be limited.

What does a CD10 conviction mean?

The DVLA lists CD10 as the endorsement code for driving without due care and attention. You can see this on the official GOV.UK endorsement code list.

Careless driving means your driving fell below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver. It does not always mean the driving was deliberate. It can still apply if a mistake, poor judgement, or lack of attention caused the issue.

Examples may include:

• tailgating
• poor lane discipline
• pulling out into another vehicle’s path
• not paying enough attention at a junction
• driving too fast for the road conditions
• being distracted while driving

Each case depends on the facts. A minor careless driving case may be dealt with by a fixed penalty. A more serious case may go to court.

CD10 penalties and penalty points

A CD10 conviction carries 3 to 9 penalty points. The number of points depends on how serious the offence was.

For lower-level careless driving, the police may offer a fixed penalty of £100 and 3 points. In some cases, a driver awareness course may be offered instead of points, but this is not guaranteed.

If the case goes to court, the Sentencing Council careless driving guideline says the court can give an unlimited fine. The court must endorse the licence and may also disqualify the driver.

A CD10 can have a bigger impact if you already have points. You can be banned under the totting-up rules if you reach 12 or more penalty points within 3 years.

New drivers need to be extra careful. If you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test, your licence can be revoked.

How long does a CD10 stay on your licence?

A CD10 usually stays on your driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence. GOV.UK explains that some endorsements stay on your record for 4 years, though they are normally valid for the first 3 years.

This is not always the same as the insurance disclosure period. A motoring conviction may be treated as spent after 5 years from the date of conviction for adults under rehabilitation rules. You can check the official GOV.UK rehabilitation periods guidance for more detail.

This difference can cause confusion. Your points may no longer be valid, or may no longer show in the same way, but an insurer may still ask about motoring convictions within the last 5 years.

Can I get car insurance with a CD10 conviction?

Yes, in many cases you can still get car insurance with a CD10 conviction. The challenge is that some insurers may see you as a higher risk, especially if the conviction is recent or linked to a claim.

This can mean:

• fewer insurers offering quotes
• higher premiums
• more questions during the quote process
• closer checks on your driving history
• higher excesses in some cases

A CD10 is not always treated in the same way by every insurer. Some may be more flexible than others. That is why using a specialist broker can help.

Got You Covered offers Convicted Driver Insurance for drivers with motoring convictions, previous claims, and other non-standard insurance needs.

Will a CD10 make insurance more expensive?

A CD10 can make insurance more expensive, but there is no fixed increase. The price depends on the full risk picture.

Insurers may look at:

• your age
• where you live
• your vehicle
• how you use the car
• your annual mileage
• your no-claims bonus
• your claims history
• when the CD10 happened
• how many points you received
• whether there are other convictions

A recent CD10 may have more impact than an older one. If the offence also involved an accident or claim, that can affect the price too.

It is important not to guess or leave out details. Wrong information can cause problems later, especially if you need to make a claim. We explain this in our guide on why accurate details matter when getting a car insurance quote.

Do I need to tell my insurer about a CD10?

You should answer the insurer’s questions fully and honestly. If you are asked about motoring convictions, penalty points, fixed penalties, or driving offences, include the CD10 if it falls within the period they ask about.

Many insurers ask about motoring convictions from the last 5 years. Some policy documents may also require you to tell the insurer about new convictions during the policy term, while others may only ask at renewal. Check your own policy wording.

Before getting quotes, it can help to use the DVLA’s view or share your driving licence information service. This lets you check your driving record, including points and endorsements.

What to prepare before applying for insurance

Before you apply for insurance with a CD10, try to have these details ready:

• the exact conviction code
• the offence date
• the conviction date, if different
• the number of penalty points
• details of any fine or ban
• whether there was an accident or claim
• your current no-claims bonus
• how you use the car
• where the car is kept overnight
• your estimated annual mileage

Having the right details can make the quote process smoother. It can also reduce the risk of errors that might affect your policy later.

How to improve your chances of getting cover

You cannot remove a CD10 from your history before the legal time limits apply, but you can help your application by keeping the rest of your details clear and accurate.

It may help to:

• check your DVLA record before applying
• give exact dates where possible
• be honest about all claims and convictions
• avoid guessing your mileage
• choose a realistic voluntary excess
• keep your vehicle secure
• speak to a specialist broker if standard insurers decline you

These steps will not guarantee cheaper cover, but they can help insurers assess your case properly.

Getting insured with Got You Covered

A CD10 conviction does not always stop you getting insured. It does mean some insurers may look more closely at your driving record.

At Got You Covered, we specialise in car insurance for drivers who may find it harder to get standard cover. This includes drivers with motoring convictions, previous claims, and low no-claims bonus.

When you speak to us, tell us about your CD10, your points, any claims, and your current driving needs. We can then look for suitable options from our panel.

To get started, visit our car insurance page or contact us.