What do I need to know about car insurance for drink drivers?
If you’ve been convicted of drink-driving and you’ve come to the end of your driving ban, you might be thinking about getting back on the road.
But you might find that some car insurance providers don’t cover convicted drink drivers. And others might only offer you cover at a much higher price than you paid before your ban.
This can make it tricky to find car insurance.
At Confused.com, we'll help you compare quotes from a range of insurers who may be willing to cover you.
This way you're able to find the right cover for you, at the right price.
But before you start looking, there are a few things to keep in mind:
You have to tell your insurer about any drink-driving convictions you have for 5 years after the offence. After 5 years the conviction is considered ‘spent’, so you don’t have to declare it to your insurer. The conviction stays on your licence for 11 years.
You’re likely to pay more than you did before your drink driving conviction, as insurers now see you as a higher risk. We’ll show you our best car insurance prices, but they’re still likely to be higher than what you’re used to.
For a better idea of how car insurance for convicted drivers works, see our guide.
Confused.com
- Save up to £407 on your car insurance*
- Plus choose a free gift with Confused.com Rewards**
It’s a win-win.
How to claim a reward
*Based on data provided by Consumer Intelligence Ltd, www.consumerintelligence.com (February '23). 51% of car insurance customers could save £407.05
**Single annual policy. Shell Go+ account required. Only one £10 fuel reward can be used per transaction and each can only be used on fuel purchases of £10 or over. HelloFresh 18+ subscription service. Geographical exclusions apply. T&Cs apply
What are the drink-drive alcohol limits in the UK?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you’re considered over the limit if you have over:
- 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (the blood limit)
- 35mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath (the breath limit)
- 107mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine (the urine limit)
In Scotland, these limits are lower and more in line with other European countries:
- 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (the blood limit)
- 22mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath (the breath limit)
- 67mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine (the urine limit)
How alcohol affects you can vary according to your sex, weight and metabolism. Take a look at our alcohol units calculator for an idea of just how much.
If you know you're going to drink, it’s best not to drive at all.
No insurance company will pay out for a claim that's the result of the insured driver being over the legal drink-drive limit.
Drugs, including legal medication, can also have an impact on your driving ability.
Find out more about drug-driving and the law here.
Drink driving conviction codes
The following motoring conviction codes stay on your driving licence for 11 years from date of conviction:
| Code | Offence | No. of points |
|---|---|---|
|
DR10
|
Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit
|
3-11
|
|
DR20
|
Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink
|
3-11
|
|
DR30
|
Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis
|
3-11
|
|
DR31
|
Driving or attempting to drive then refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity
|
3-11
|
|
DR61
|
Refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive
|
10
|
The following stay on a driving licence for 4 years from date of offence, but are still declarable for 5 years:
| Code | Offence | No. of points |
|---|---|---|
|
DR40
|
In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit
|
10
|
|
DR50
|
In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink
|
10
|
|
DR60
|
Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive
|
10
|
|
DR70
|
Failing to provide specimen for breath test
|
4
|
We compare up to 150 trusted insurance companies to get you our cheapest deal in minutes
Types of car insurance
Black box car insurance
lets you prove you’re a safe driver, and save money on your policy, even if you’re inexperienced or seen as high risk.
Classic car insurance
offers cover for owners of classic cars. For insurance purposes, a classic car can be any car that’s older than 15 years.
Business car insurance
covers you if you use your car for work, including travelling between offices or across the country.
What our car insurance expert says
Having a conviction on your licence can make insurance more expensive and harder to find. It's not an impossible task though. When you get a quote, we'll quickly show you the insurance companies who will offer you cover. It may be expensive at first , but over time your car insurance prices might start to come down.
Car insurance expert
Car insurance guides
How to make a pothole claim
If your car has been damaged by a pothole, you may be able to claim compensation.
Temporary European car insurance
If you're looking for insurance when driving abroad, temporary European car insurance could be the solution. Here's everything you need to know.
Parking rules and restrictions
Your burning parking questions are finally answered.
The young driver index
We look at the easiest countries in the world to learn to drive
Women's car insurance
The ECJ ruling changed women's car insurance - here are a few handy tips that could keep your costs down.
Drink-driving - what you need to know
If you're drinking, don't drive. If you're driving, don't drink. But if you need more info, here's what you need to know.
cookie usage