What is a DR10 Driving Conviction and How Does DR10 Insurance Work?

If you have a DR10 conviction, you may also be wondering whether you can still get DR10 insurance and how much it might cost. In this guide, we explain what a DR10 conviction means, the penalties that can apply, and what it could mean when you look for insurance again.

A DR10 is the DVLA drink-driving endorsement code for driving or attempting to drive with an alcohol level above the legal limit. On the official list of endorsement codes and penalty points, a DR10 carries 3 to 11 penalty points.

It also helps to know that there are other “DR” conviction codes. DR20 is “unfit through drink”, and DR30 relates to failing to supply a specimen. There are also “in charge” offences, such as DR40, where someone is considered in charge of a vehicle while above the limit, even if they were not actually driving at the time.

The drink-drive limit varies across the United Kingdom. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the breath limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath, or 80mg per 100ml of blood. In Scotland it is lower at 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath, or 50mg per 100ml of blood. As GOV.UK explains, there is no reliable way to turn this into a “safe number of drinks”, because it varies from person to person.

What penalties can apply for a DR10?

A DR10 conviction is linked to the “drive or attempt to drive” drink-driving offence. According to GOV.UK’s drink-driving penalties guide states that the court can impose up to 6 months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, and a driving ban for at least 1 year, or at least 3 years if you are convicted twice in 10 years.

The sentence depends on the circumstances. The Sentencing Council confirms that the maximum penalty for excess alcohol when driving or attempting to drive is an unlimited fine and or six months’ custody, alongside at least a 12-month disqualification.

You may be offered a drink-drive rehabilitation course. If you are banned for 12 months or more, GOV.UK says you can be offered a course to reduce your ban. You must decide in court; it can cost up to £250, and the reduction is usually about a quarter if you complete it in time.

How long does a DR10 stay on your driving record?

DR10 must stay on your driving record for 11 years from the date of conviction.

As GOV.UK explains that, 11-year endorsements are valid for the first 10 years, and other parties, including insurers and employers, may be able to learn about an 11-year endorsement during the first 5 years.

Does a DR10 give you a criminal record, and when is it “spent”?

A DR10 is a criminal conviction. Whether, and for how long, you need to disclose it depends on whether it is spent under rehabilitation rules. GOV.UK’s rehabilitation period guidance lists driving endorsements as having a rehabilitation period of 5 years from the date of conviction for adults. Driving disqualifications become spent when the disqualification period ends.

This creates a common confusion. Your DR10 endorsement can remain on your driving record for 11 years, but the conviction may become spent earlier.

How a DR10 affects car insurance and DR10 Insurance Quotes

For many drivers, a DR10 is likely to cause higher premiums for a period, fewer insurers willing to quote, and some mainstream insurers may decline altogether. This is why many drivers start looking for DR10 insurance through specialist brokers rather than relying only on standard comparison sites.

It is important to answer insurance questions accurately. If an insurer asks about unspent convictions or convictions within a stated time window, leaving details out can cause problems if you need to make a claim. If a drink-driving conviction is not disclosed when required, your policy could be void.

It also helps to have the details insurers usually ask for ready before you apply. This may include your conviction code and date, the length of your ban and when it ended, details of any rehabilitation course, plus your vehicle details, mileage, and where the vehicle is kept overnight. Having this information ready can make it easier to apply for DR10 insurance and avoid delays in getting a quote.

You cannot drive while disqualified, and you cannot hold a car or any other vehicle insurance policy while you are disqualified.

No-claims discount can be affected too. If you have had a long ban, some insurers may not accept older no-claims discount proof. For a more detailed look, see our guide to No Claims Discount (NCD).

Getting insured again with Got You Covered

If you are finding comparison sites unhelpful, specialist brokers can often do more for complex cases. We offer Drink Driver Insurance and Convicted Driver Insurance, and we specialise in helping drivers with convictions access cover through our specialised insurer panel. This can be especially helpful if you are looking for DR10 insurance after a drink-driving conviction.

For more helpful information before you get a quote, see How to Get Car or Van Insurance After a Drink Driving Conviction and What Affects Your Car Insurance Premium.

If you need cover for work vehicles too, we also offer Van Insurance. If you would rather speak to our team, use the Contact Us page.

Quick answers

DR10 points: 3 to 11.

Drink-Drive Rehabilitation course: usually reduces the ban by a quarter if you are eligible and complete it in time.

Insurance while banned: you cannot drive, and you cannot hold a road-use policy while disqualified.

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