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Drug Driving Car Insurance

By Eamonn Turley
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Eamonn Turley Insurance Expert

Eamonn Turley has a wealth of experience within different insurance sectors. Through hard work and over time, he has gained expertise in digital marketing and user interface design. Elements that are crucial to any successful online business. The key aim is to develop websites that are intuitive, fast to load and provide insurance quotes tailored to your needs.


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from the MultiQuoteTime Editorial Team - Fact checked

The team at MultiQuoteTime will fact-check content to ensure accuracy at the time of writing. In addition, we also review and update content on an ongoing basis. We aim to keep the content fresh and useful. If you are considering applying for any of the products, please take note that it is important that you read the terms and conditions that are applicable.

July 2023

By Eamonn Turley from the MultiQuoteTime Editorial Team - Fact checked July 2023

If you have an unspent drug driving conviction, insurance will be more expensive, but you should still compare all the available options to reduce costs and save money.

MultiQuoteTime works with Quotezone who provide a simple form which once completed is submitted to a specialist panel of brokers. To get multiple quotes, select GET A QUOTE button above and provide basic information to a panel of UK brokers. The panel will be in contact via the telephone to provide you insurance quotes.

Conviction CodeOffence Points
DG10 Driving or attempting to drive with drug level above the specified limit 3 to 11
DG60 Causing death by careless driving with drug level above the limit 3 to 11
DR80 Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs 3 to 11
DG40In charge of a vehicle while drug level above specified limit 10
DR70 Failing to co-operate with a preliminary test 4
DR90In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs 10

How Much Does Insurance Go Up For Drug Driving?

Convictions and prosecutions are taken quite seriously by insurance providers, and a drug driving conviction will usually lead to a 100% premium increase upon renewal. Some insurers will even refuse a driver cover that has a drug driving charge.

Drug driving is looked upon very negatively by insurance providers. Be very careful when taking a new prescription drug to check the side effects and consult with your GP whether driving or operating machinery will be possible.

Does Drug Driving Affect Insurance?

Being convicted of drug driving will cause your insurance to increase to cover the additional risk. The underwriters will try to assess what kind of driver you are by your application, and having anything of that nature will not shine a favourable light on an applicant. A conviction will suggest to the insurer that you may act irresponsibly and recklessly again in the future. This is the main reason that the premium for convicted driver insurance will be so much higher following a conviction of that nature. 

On a Budget?  All brokers will let you choose to pay monthly.

What Is The Cost Of Car Insurance After A Drug Driving (DG10) Conviction?

Considering that the average car insurance quote comes out at around £400/year, which is representative of the average driver, driving the average car. That same driver after the accident will have to shell out on average a massive £800/year. 

It is worth noting that this effect will last 11 years until the conviction is removed from your licence and will no longer affect the premium. In this time the average cumulative insurance cost of the conviction will be £4,000 more than you would have paid. This is less impactful when inflation is taken into account and if no claims bonus is increased over these years. 

Is Car Insurance Void If Guilty of Drug Driving?

Not always. If drug driving, insurance will still kick in to protect third party vehicles in all instances, however even insured drivers with comprehensive cover, may find their own vehicles not covered under the policy wording. Many policies exclude cover for the insured’s vehicle if they are found to be driving under the influence of drink or drugs. 

Even prescription drugs can affect your driving and even land you a DG10 conviction. If you follow the advice of your medical professional you won’t get in any trouble, but also air on the side of caution when unsure. If you feel like you shouldn't be driving, don’t get behind the wheel. 

When Is A DG10 Conviction Spent?

The DG10 conviction is spent after 11 years. Following this period the conviction will no longer show on a licence or criminal record. As well as this, you won’t have to declare the conviction on an insurance form, and you will effectively be treated the same as a regular driver. 

Be aware that the failure to report a driving conviction can, in the event of a claim, leave you totally exposed to the cost of the accident. The insurer can invalidate your policy if they find out that you’ve failed to disclose significant material facts, even if the conviction is due to expire later that year. This means that as soon as the conviction is issued you must update the insurer with the new information, as the insurance premium may go up for the remainder of the policy term. 

Is A DG10 A Criminal Conviction?

A DG10 conviction is a criminal conviction issued by a court that signifies a person as guilty of drug driving. It will be registered with the government and appear on a criminal record and a driving licence. 

The driver doesn't have to have impaired driving, just a large enough presence of drugs in the blood is enough to be prosecuted for drug driving. This threshold is surprisingly low and will show up on a roadside test. Policemen use screening devices to find drugs in your system through saliva, or a physical inebriation roadside tests. 

Even a small or micro dose is deemed dangerous. Different drugs all have an effect on drivers’ reactions, and risk judgements, and can be deemed dangerous if over a certain threshold. 

Medicinal DrugsLimit in blood
amphetamine250µg/L
clonazepam50µg/L

diazepam550µg/L
flunitrazepam100µg/L
lorazepamFailing to co-operate with a preliminary test
methadone500µg/L
morphine

80µg/L

oxazepam300µg/L
temazepam1,000µg/L

How Can I Tell if I am Over the Limit for Drugs?

Unlike drinking and driving, there is no sure way of knowing when the drug has left your system or is at a level that is legal to drive. Some drugs can l also build up in your system over time 

Drug Driving Convictions With Prescription Drugs

Whilst drug driving is mostly associated with driving whilst under the influence of illegal drugs, it is not always the case. Over the counter or prescription drugs s can also land you with a drug driving conviction, and it is more common than you might think.

Before taking any medication, check the label and also check with your doctor to confirm they will not impact your ability to drive or operate machinery. 

Drug driving Convictions With Illegal Drugs

In 2012 the government announced a zero tolerance to 8 illegal drugs enzoylecgonine, cocaine, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis), ketamine, lysergic acid, diethylamide, methylamphetamine, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 6-monoacetylmorphine (heroin).

Drug Driving Consequences

If a driver fails a roadside test, they can be arrested, spend a night in prison and have to take a follow-up blood test. Drug driving always results in a minimum of a 1-year driving ban, unlimited fine, 3-11 points on your licence, and up to 6 months in prison. 

A criminal conviction will leave a mark on your criminal record and driving licence, lead to increased car insurance premiums, a reduced employment prospect, possible travel restrictions, and criticism from your peers and colleagues. 

Every accident has far reaching consequences - the human impact of a road incident is enormous. The injuries sustained don’t just affect the victims, but also their families. A car incident can result in lifelong disabilities, and even death. The human effects of these tragedies are extremely awful and much worse than a criminal conviction and driving ban. 

How Can I Reduce The Cost Of My Drug Driving Car Insurance?

To avoid a big sting on your insurance premium after receiving a DG10 for drug driving, it’s advised to search for specialist DG10 insurance policies. The insurers that recognise the conviction are better prepared to offer a really competitive price on your policy, saving you money. They even know the ins and outs of the conviction, legal matters, and can guide you on what best your course of action should be after receiving a conviction and how to approach an insurance policy during or after a driving ban. 

Other ways to make up the ground if an increased premium makes you wince include, usual premium reducing measures, such as fitting a black box, choosing a car in a lower insurance group, example group7 , getting a second driver insured that has a great insurance track record and credentials, or reducing your estimated mileage by planning alternative means of travel. 

Drug Driving Insurance FAQ's


Is drug driving a criminal record?

Drug driving is a criminal offence since  2 March 2015. If convicted, you will have a criminal record.

What is the punishment for drug driving UK?

The punishment for drug driving in the UK will be a minimum 12-month driving ban; a criminal record; an unlimited fine and  up to 6 months in prison. The Driver's licence will also be endorsed, the endorsement will last for 11 years.

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