A Dealer’s Guide to Helping Convicted Drivers Get Back on the Road

Every week, customers walk into dealerships carrying more than a budget and a wish list. Some of them are carrying a conviction code on their licence. They have served their ban, paid their fine, and are ready to move forward. The problem is that nobody in the buying process has properly explained what comes next when they have a motoring conviction.

That is where you, as a dealer, can genuinely help. Understanding the basics of convicted driver insurance lets you have informed conversations, manage customer expectations, and avoid deals falling apart at the insurance stage.

This guide covers the most common conviction codes you will encounter, how they affect insurance access, and what your customers can do to get back behind the wheel legally and confidently.

Key Takeaways

•       Drug driving convictions (DG10) carry 3 to 11 penalty points and stay on a licence for 11 years from the conviction date.
•       Nearly 27,000 motorists were convicted of drug driving in the UK in 2024, a 13.5% rise on the year before.
•       Mainstream insurers often decline convicted drivers entirely. Specialist brokers are the practical route back to cover.
•       Dealers who understand conviction types are better placed to guide customers through post-ban vehicle purchases.
•       Simple steps such as choosing a lower insurance group car and building a no-claims history can help bring premiums down over time.

Why Dealers Should Care About Convicted Drivers

Drug driving convictions in the UK rose by 13.5% in 2024, with close to 27,000 motorists found guilty according to Ministry of Justice court statistics analysed by the AA. That is a significant and growing group of potential car buyers who need guidance at the point of purchase.

The gap between finishing a driving ban and buying a car is full of confusion. Customers often do not know whether they can get insured, what cover level to expect, or how their conviction code affects their options. A dealer who can answer those questions earns trust, speeds up the buying process, and avoids a sale that collapses because the customer cannot secure insurance for the car you just sold them.

Tip for Dealers: Before presenting finance options, ask your customer if they have any endorsements on their licence. It takes 30 seconds and could save the whole deal from unravelling later.

 

Understanding Common Conviction Codes

The DVLA uses over 70 endorsement codes to record driving offences on a licence. As a dealer, you do not need to know all of them. But familiarity with the most common ones will help you understand your customer’s situation before the insurance conversation begins.

Codes are made up of two letters indicating the offence category, followed by a number indicating the specific nature of the offence. Here are the ones you are most likely to encounter at the forecourt.

Code	Offence	Penalty Points	Stays on Licence
SP30	Exceeding the speed limit on a public road	3 to 6 points	4 years
CU80	Using a mobile phone while driving	6 points	4 years
IN10	Driving without valid insurance	6 to 8 points	4 years
DR10	Driving or attempting to drive with excess alcohol	3 to 11 points	11 years
DG10	Driving or attempting to drive with drug level above specified limit	3 to 11 points	11 years
DD40	Dangerous driving	Up to 11 points	4 years
TT99	Disqualification under totting-up (12 or more points)	N/A	4 years

Source: DVLA / GOV.UK endorsement code guidance

The distinction between 4-year and 11-year codes is important. DR10 and DG10 both carry the longer period because they involve serious offences that affect how insurers assess risk for a prolonged time. Convictions for drug and drink driving are treated as significantly more serious than speeding or mobile phone use.

Drug Driving: The DG10 Code Explained

DG10 is a statutory offence under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It covers driving or attempting to drive with a specified controlled drug above the legal limit in the blood. The law sets near-zero tolerance limits for 17 controlled substances, including cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA, while higher thresholds apply to some prescription medicines.

Penalties for a DG10 conviction include a minimum 12-month driving disqualification, an unlimited fine, and up to 6 months in custody. If the driver has a previous drink or drug conviction within the last 10 years, the minimum ban rises to 36 months. The endorsement stays on the DVLA record for 11 years from the date of conviction, which is why insurance access after a DG10 is significantly harder than for most other offence codes.

Worth noting: Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a DG10 conviction can become spent 5 years from the date of conviction in most standard cases. However, the 11-year endorsement period runs separately. Drivers need to declare the conviction to insurers for as long as the insurer asks about it, regardless of whether it is technically spent.

 

Drink Driving: The DR10 Code

DR10 is the endorsement for driving or attempting to drive with an alcohol level above the legal limit. Like DG10, it carries 3 to 11 penalty points and stays on the licence for 11 years. Drink driving convictions were down 5.8% in 2024 to around 40,500 according to Ministry of Justice data, continuing a gradual decline.

Customers returning from a DR10 ban face a similar challenge to DG10 drivers when it comes to securing mainstream insurance. The distinction matters for the advice you give: a DR10 customer who completed a Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme course may find some specialist insurers view their application more favourably.

Figure 1: UK Drug vs Drink Driving Convictions (2017 to 2024). Drug driving convictions rose sharply while drink driving continued a gradual decline.

How Conviction Codes Affect Car Insurance

The practical impact of a conviction code on insurance falls into three areas: premium loading, reduced insurer choice, and in some cases, outright refusal of cover. Understanding each helps you set realistic expectations with customers before they get to the insurance stage.

Premium Loading

Insurers price risk. A driver with a conviction code represents a statistically higher likelihood of a future claim. The more serious the code, the heavier the loading applied to the premium. A minor SP30 speeding conviction might push a premium up by around 10 to 15%. A DG10 drug driving conviction can increase premiums by 80 to 100% or more, depending on how recent the conviction is, the driver’s age, and the vehicle being insured.

Figure 2: Typical insurance premium impact by conviction code. Serious convictions such as DG10 can result in near-double premiums. Figures are indicative and vary by insurer and driver profile.

Reduced Insurer Choice

Drivers with serious convictions have a narrower range of insurers to choose from, since many mainstream providers do not have appetite for DG10, DR10, or DD40 cases. That makes comparing options across the market especially valuable. Specialist brokers hold relationships with insurers who do underwrite these risks, and comparing quotes through them is the most effective route to finding an affordable policy.

Compulsory Excess and Policy Restrictions

Specialist policies often come with a higher compulsory excess, meaning your customer pays more out of pocket before the insurer contributes to a claim. Some policies also restrict annual mileage or require the fitting of a telematics black box as a condition of cover. Both are worth flagging in the buying conversation.

“Nearly half of all drug-driving offences in 2024 were committed by repeat offenders, underlining how important it is for drivers and dealers alike to understand what a conviction truly means for life after the ban.”

What Your Customers Need to Do Before Buying

A convicted driver buying a car from you needs to have a few things in order before the deal is done. Prompting them to work through this checklist avoids problems and positions you as a genuinely helpful adviser rather than just a salesperson.

1. Check the Driving Record

Customers can view their licence details, including endorsements and penalty points, through the GOV.UK View Your Driving Licence service. They will need their licence number, National Insurance number, and postcode. Knowing the exact conviction code, the conviction date, and the length of their ban makes it easier to get accurate insurance quotes.

2. Approach Specialist Brokers

Comparing options is one of the smartest moves a convicted driver can make. Specialist insurance comparison services connect drivers with brokers who have access to insurers experienced with specific conviction codes. For a DG10 conviction specifically, brokers who understand the distinction between drug and drink driving codes can present the case more effectively.

Clean Green Cars, for example, introduces drivers with a DG10 to specialist brokers who deal with drug driving endorsements regularly and can compare quotes from providers familiar with these cases.

3. Consider the Vehicle Choice

The car itself affects the premium. Vehicles in a lower insurance group cost less to insure regardless of conviction status. When a customer has a serious endorsement, a lower insurance group vehicle provides an additional offset against the conviction loading. Steering them towards a smaller engine, lower value car during the rebuilding period can make insurance significantly more affordable.

Dealer Tip: Run a quick insurance group check on any vehicle your convicted driver customer is considering. A group 10 car versus a group 25 car could mean a difference of several hundred pounds annually on an already-loaded premium.

 

4. Explore Telematics Policies

A black box policy records driving behaviour. Speed, braking, cornering, and time of day are all tracked. For a driver returning after a DG10 or DR10, a telematics policy gives the insurer evidence of safe driving rather than having to rely on the conviction code alone. Some insurers offer premium reductions at renewal based on the data. For younger drivers with a conviction, a black box policy is often the most affordable route to legal cover.

5. Declare Everything Honestly

Non-disclosure of a conviction, whether accidental or deliberate, can invalidate a policy entirely. If your customer makes a claim and the insurer discovers an undeclared endorsement, the claim will be refused and the policy cancelled. Encourage your customers to answer every question on an insurance application as accurately as they can. The insurer’s question wording matters. Some ask about convictions in the last five years. Others ask about any unspent convictions on the licence. The answer to each could be different.

Finance and Conviction Status

A driving conviction does not, in itself, affect a customer’s eligibility for vehicle finance. Lenders assess creditworthiness based on financial history rather than motoring record. However, if a conviction has led to loss of employment or a period of reduced income, that is more likely to be reflected in a credit check than the conviction itself.

Where finance and conviction status can interact is at the point of insurance. Many lenders require comprehensive insurance as a condition of a hire purchase or personal contract purchase agreement. If your customer cannot secure comprehensive cover due to their conviction, that has implications for the type of finance deal available to them.

If your customer is on a specialist convicted driver insurance policy with restrictions, check whether the policy level meets the lender’s requirements before finalising the finance agreement.

 

How Premiums Change Over Time

The good news for your customers is that conviction loading is not permanent. Insurers generally place more weight on a recent conviction than on one from several years ago. A DG10 from five years ago is treated differently from one from six months ago, even though both are still on the licence.

Each year of claim-free driving also rebuilds a no-claims discount. After a ban, drivers often start from zero, but the accumulation of a clean post-ban record does reduce premiums meaningfully over time. Encouraging customers to compare quotes at each renewal rather than auto-renewing is practical money-saving advice that costs you nothing to give.

Time Since Conviction	Typical Premium Impact	Insurer Appetite
0 to 1 year	Very high loading. Limited insurer choice.	Specialist brokers only
1 to 3 years	High loading. Some additional options open up.	Mainly specialist brokers
3 to 5 years	Moderate loading. Wider specialist access.	Specialist and some mainstream
5 years +	Reducing loading. Many insurers only ask about last 5 years.	Broader access begins
11 years +	Endorsement expires. Standard insurance access returns.	Full mainstream market

Note: Figures are indicative. Actual insurer appetite and pricing vary by provider, driver profile, and vehicle.

“A DG10 stays on the licence for 11 years but the premium loading reduces every year. Drivers who compare at every renewal rather than auto-renewing consistently pay less than those who do not.”

Useful Resources for Dealers and Customers

Pointing customers towards reliable information demonstrates that you understand their situation. The following sources are worth sharing alongside your vehicle sales conversation.

•       GOV.UK endorsement code guidance: full list of conviction codes, points carried, and how long each code stays on the licence.
•       GOV.UK View Your Driving Licence: customers can check their exact record, including conviction dates and ban details.
•       GOV.UK Drink and Drug Driving Penalties: official guidance on sentencing and the legal framework behind conviction codes.
•       GOV.UK Penalty Points and Endorsements: explains how the totting-up system works and when points expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a customer with a DG10 buy a car from a dealership?

Yes. A conviction code does not affect a person’s right to purchase a vehicle. The practical challenge is securing insurance before they can drive it away. Dealers should check this is sorted before handing over keys.

How long does a DG10 affect car insurance premiums?

The DG10 endorsement stays on the DVLA record for 11 years from the conviction date. Many insurers ask about convictions in the last 5 years only, so premium loading can begin to ease at the five-year mark. However, until the endorsement expires, specialist insurance is often required.

Can convicted drivers get comprehensive insurance?

Yes, although the options are more limited and the premiums are significantly higher. Specialist brokers can often find comprehensive cover for convicted drivers, and comparing several quotes is the best way to secure an affordable one. Interestingly, comprehensive cover is sometimes cheaper than third party only because it attracts a wider pool of specialist insurers.

Does a driving ban affect vehicle finance eligibility?

A conviction code itself does not appear on a credit file. Finance eligibility is based on financial history rather than motoring record. However, many lenders require comprehensive insurance as a condition of finance, and securing that cover is the main practical hurdle for convicted drivers applying for vehicle finance.

What should I tell customers who cannot afford specialist insurance?

Practical steps include choosing a lower insurance group vehicle, considering a telematics policy, increasing the voluntary excess, and limiting annual mileage. Each reduces the premium. Comparing through multiple specialist brokers rather than accepting the first quote also makes a meaningful difference.

What is the difference between a spent conviction and an expired endorsement?

A spent conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 typically applies after 5 years for most DG10 cases. An expired endorsement is when the code is removed from the DVLA record after 11 years. These are different timelines. For insurance purposes, the insurer’s own question wording determines what must be declared. Always answer honestly and fully.

Conclusion

Convicted drivers are a significant and often overlooked segment of the car-buying market. Close to 27,000 people received drug driving convictions in 2024 alone, and tens of thousands more carry drink driving or other serious endorsements. Many of them will want or need a car once their ban ends.

Dealers who understand conviction codes, insurance realities, and what customers need to do before they can legally drive away are genuinely better placed to serve this group. It is not about knowing every detail of insurance underwriting. It is about knowing enough to ask the right questions early and point customers in the right direction.

From choosing the right vehicle to directing customers towards specialist insurance routes, the advice in this guide gives you the tools to support convicted drivers through one of the more stressful purchases they will make. Done well, it turns a difficult situation into a sale and a customer who genuinely trusts you.