INSURANCE GUIDE Convicted Driver Insurance - car cover with a criminal conviction |
TL;DR
- All unspent criminal convictions must be declared when your insurer asks, along with all motoring endorsements within the period the insurer specifies.
- Spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 generally do not need to be disclosed - but read the exact insurer question carefully each time.
- DR10 (drink driving) and CD codes remain on the driving licence for 11 years; most other endorsements for 4 years from the date of the offence.
- Non-disclosure is material misrepresentation under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 and can void the policy and invalidate all claims.
- Specialist non-standard motor brokers can place convicted driver insurance where mainstream insurers decline or quote unaffordably.
Last reviewed: June 2026
KEY FACTS | |
| What must be declared | All unspent criminal convictions and all endorsements within the period specified in the insurer question |
| Spent conviction rule | Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 - once spent, generally not declarable unless the insurer question specifically asks |
| DR10 endorsement retention | 11 years from date of conviction |
| IN10 and SP30 retention | 4 years from date of offence |
| Non-disclosure consequence | Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 - policy voidable for deliberate non-disclosure; proportionate remedy for careless |
| Where to find cover | Specialist non-standard motor insurance brokers with access to Lloyd of London and surplus lines markets |
What Is Convicted Driver Insurance?
Convicted driver insurance is motor insurance for individuals with a criminal conviction, a motoring endorsement, or penalty points they are required to disclose. Standard comparison sites and mainstream insurers typically decline or heavily load premiums for certain conviction types, particularly more serious or recent ones. Specialist non-standard motor brokers and insurers have underwriting appetites designed specifically to cover higher-risk drivers including those with criminal and motoring conviction histories.
What Must Be Declared?
Criminal convictions (non-motoring): Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, rehabilitation periods from the end of sentence are:
- Custodial sentence over 4 years: never becomes spent
- Custodial sentence 1 to 4 years: 7 years rehabilitation period
- Custodial sentence under 1 year: 4 years
- Community order: 1 year from end of order
- Fine: 1 year from conviction
Spent convictions do not generally need to be disclosed for motor insurance. However, read the exact wording of the insurer question - some ask specifically about spent convictions for certain products.
Motoring endorsements: Key endorsement codes and retention periods on the driving licence:
KEY FACTS
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How Convictions and Endorsements Affect Premiums
The impact on motor insurance premiums depends on the offence type, its recency, and the driver overall risk profile. As general market indicators for 2026:
- SP30 (1-3 points, single): minor impact, typically 5% to 20% loading. Most mainstream insurers will still quote.
- IN10 (no insurance): more significant, typically 50% to 150% loading. Some mainstream insurers decline; specialist brokers required.
- DR10 (excess alcohol): major impact in first 2-3 years, typically 50% to 300% loading. Mainstream insurers frequently decline. Market widens considerably after 5 years.
- CD10 (causing death by careless driving under influence): very few insurers will quote in the years immediately following conviction.
- Non-motoring convictions: impact varies widely by offence. Recent serious offences significantly narrow the market.
The Legal Framework for Disclosure
The Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 (CIDRA) governs consumer insurance applications. Under CIDRA, consumers must take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation when answering insurer questions. Consequences of non-disclosure:
- Deliberate or reckless non-disclosure: the insurer can void the policy from inception, refuse all claims, and retain the premium.
- Careless non-disclosure: proportionate remedy applies. If the insurer would not have offered cover at all, it can void the policy. If it would have offered cover at a higher premium, it can reduce claim settlements proportionately.
FCA ICOBS rules require insurers to ask clear questions and not to ask for information they do not need. A policyholder is not expected to volunteer information not asked for. But if asked, the question must be answered accurately and completely.
Finding Convicted Driver Insurance
For drivers with serious conviction types, mainstream comparison websites frequently return no results. The appropriate route is specialist non-standard motor insurance brokers with access to specialist UK insurers, Lloyd of London markets, and European surplus lines carriers. When approaching a specialist broker, provide accurate and complete information about all convictions and endorsements from the outset. The broker needs this to place the risk correctly and at the right premium. Providing accurate information also protects against the CIDRA consequences at claim stage.
Related Guides |
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the FCA. Always verify details with an FCA-authorised insurer or broker before purchasing. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a DR10 affect my car insurance?
A DR10 remains on the driving licence for 11 years from the date of conviction. Most insurers ask about endorsements within the last 5 years, though some specialist insurers ask for up to 10 years. The practical market impact is greatest in the first 3 to 5 years post-conviction. After 5 years a wider range of insurers will quote, and after 10 years the impact is minimal for most drivers.
Do I have to declare a non-motoring conviction?
Criminal convictions that are not motoring offences do not appear on the driving licence. They may still need to be declared depending on the exact insurer question wording. If the question asks about criminal convictions generally, unspent non-motoring convictions must be declared. Spent convictions do not need to be declared unless specifically asked for.
Can I be refused motor insurance due to a conviction?
Yes. Insurers are entitled to decline on the basis of conviction history. There is no statutory right to motor insurance from any particular insurer. However, the specialist non-standard market exists specifically to provide cover for drivers who cannot access mainstream products. Cover is available for most conviction profiles at a price.
What is the difference between an endorsement and penalty points?
An endorsement is the record of a road traffic conviction placed on the licence. Penalty points are the numerical value assigned to each endorsement code, ranging from 1 to 11 points per offence. Accumulating 12 or more points within 3 years results in disqualification under the totting-up procedure. New drivers within 2 years of passing their test are disqualified if they reach 6 points.
If my insurer cancels my policy mid-term for non-disclosure, what should I do?
A mid-term cancellation for non-disclosure must be declared on future insurance applications. Contact a specialist non-standard broker immediately. Be transparent about the cancellation from the outset. Driving uninsured following cancellation is a criminal offence that would significantly compound the situation.
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