DG10 Car Insurance
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A DG10 conviction doesn’t have to mean unaffordable premiums. We connect you with specialist insurers who understand drug driving convictions and compete to offer you their best price.
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What is a DG10 Conviction?
A DG10 is the specific DVLA endorsement code for “Driving or attempting to drive with a drug level above the specified limit.”
Unlike other codes, a DG10 doesn’t require the police to prove you were “unfit” to drive. They only need to prove that the level of a controlled substance in your blood exceeded the legal threshold.
DG10 Penalty Overview:
- Points: 3 to 11 penalty points.
- Ban: Minimum 12-month mandatory disqualification.
- Duration: Stays on your licence for 11 years.
- Disclosure: Must be declared to insurers for 5 years.
Video: What a Roadside Drug Test Looks Like
What You’ll See:
- The Stop: Police can stop you for a moving traffic offence (like speeding) or if they smell a substance [00:00:35].
- The Swab: A simple saliva sample is taken by wiping a testing device across the tongue [00:01:21].
- The Result: The device analyzes the sample within a few minutes to show a pass or fail [00:02:15].
Video Source: Times Driving / YouTube
What is the Difference between a DG10 vs DG40 offence?
DG10 and DG40 are both drug driving conviction codes but they cover two different offences. It is important to understand which one applies to you as they carry different penalties and can affect your insurance in different ways.
| Detail | DG10 | DG40 |
|---|---|---|
| What it means | Driving or attempting to drive with a drug level above the specified limit | In charge of a vehicle with a drug level above the specified limit |
| Were you driving? | Yes : caught driving or attempting to drive | No : you were in charge of the vehicle but not driving |
| Driving ban | Minimum 1 year | Discretionary : no mandatory ban |
| Penalty points | 3–11 points | 10 points |
| Prison | Up to 6 months | Up to 3 months |
| Fine | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Stays on licence | 11 years | 4 years |
| Declare to insurer | 5 years from conviction | 5 years from conviction |
| Insurance impact | Higher : mandatory ban makes it more serious | Lower : but still significantly above standard rates |
DG10 stays on your licence for 11 years — not 4
Unlike most other conviction codes which remain on your licence for 4 years, a DG10 stays for 11 years. However you are only required to declare it to insurers for 5 years from the date of conviction.
What are the penalties for a DG10 conviction?
A DG10 is one of the most serious motoring offences, and the courts treat drug driving harshly. This is true even if this is only your first offence. Possible consequences include a mandatory driving ban, a potential criminal record, and significant fines. Here is what you can expect:
| Penalty | First Offence | Repeat Offence (within 10 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Driving ban | Minimum 1 year | Minimum 3 years |
| Fine | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Prison | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months |
| Criminal record | Yes | Yes |
| Endorsement code | DG10 added to licence | DG10 added to licence |
| Extended retest | Possible | Likely |
Causing death by drug driving carries far greater penalties
If a DG10 offence results in the death of another person, the charge escalates significantly and can carry up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, and a minimum 2 year driving ban.
How long does a DG10 stay on your licence?
It is important to understand how long a DG10 will impact your car insurance so that you can look forward to the end when your insurance premiums should start to come down.
| Record Type | Duration | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| DVLA driving licence | 4 years | Visible to police, courts, and insurers on your licence record |
| Insurance declaration | 5 years | You must declare it to insurers for 5 years from the date of conviction |
| Criminal record (Rehabilitation) | Up to 11 years | Spent after 5 years if no prison sentence given — but stays longer if custodial sentence issued |
| Employment disclosure | Varies | Some roles (e.g. driving jobs, healthcare, law) require enhanced DBS checks where spent convictions may still appear |
The 4-year and 5-year dates are different
Your DG10 drops off your DVLA licence after 4 years, but you must still declare it to insurers for 5 years from conviction date. Always check your policy wording carefully to avoid invalidating your cover.
How to Reduce Your DG10 Insurance Premium
A DG10 conviction will push your premium up, but you can take some practical steps to help bring the cost down. Check out some steps that can help make a difference:
- Complete a drug driving rehabilitation course — Some insurers may offer a reduced premium if you have voluntarily completed a rehabilitation course. It also demonstrates to the any perspective insurer that you are taking steps to reform.
- Compare specialist brokers — Mainstream insurers will often decline or charge more for a DG10. Using a specialist convicted driver insurance provider provides you access to brokers who understand your situation and they will compete for your business.
- Pay annually rather than monthly : Monthly payments attract interest charges. Paying the full premium upfront can work out cheaper than spreading the cost, Check the total payable before committing to either option.
- Increase your voluntary excess: Agreeing to pay a higher excessamount in the event of a claim can signal lower risk to the insurer. Make sure the excess is an amount you can realistically afford before agreeing to it( maybe set aside in a high savings account).
- Consider a black box policy : Telematic devices like a blck box will monitor your driving behaviour. If you drive safely that will work in your favour and your premium may reduce at renewal.
- Drive a car in a lower insurance group : High-value or high-performance vehicles attract higher premiums regardless of convictions. A lower insurance group vehicle may result in a lower overall premium — compare both to see the difference.
- Add an experienced named driver : Adding a driver with a clean licence and more years of experience can lower the overall risk profile of the policy. Warning Do not add someone as the main driver if they are not. This is called fronting and is illegal.
- Renew early : Shopping around and getting quotes 3–4 weeks before your renewal date may return better prices than leaving it to the last minute.
Your premium may reduce over time
As your DG10 conviction gets older insurers may view you as lower risk. It is worth comparing quotes at each renewal rather than auto-renewing — particularly as you approach the end of the 5-year declaration period.
Drug Driving Rehabilitation Course: Is it worth it?
While it isn’t a guaranteed fix for your premiums, completing a rehabilitation course can be a significant factor in your favour—both for reducing your ban and your insurance costs.
What is the course?
A 1-2 day DVSA-approved programme built for those with a DG10 conviction. It covers the law, the effects of drugs on driving, and how to avoid reoffending.
Tip: Approach with an open mind to get the most value.
25% Ban Reduction
If offered and completed, your ban could be cut by a quarter (e.g., 12 months down to 9).
The Catch: The court must offer this at sentencing. You cannot apply later. Talk to your solicitor before your hearing.
Insurance Impact
Specialist brokers see a rehab certificate as a “positive risk indicator.” It proves you’ve taken the conviction seriously.
Always mention completion when getting a quote. It helps your case with underwriters.
Disclaimer: Premium outcomes vary by insurer and individual circumstances. Completion of a rehabilitation course does not guarantee a reduction in your insurance premium.
Drug Driving — Important Resources & Rehab
Staying informed is the best way to manage a DG10 conviction. Use these official UK resources to understand the law and potentially reduce your ban length.
Rehab & Ban Reduction
Completing a DVSA course can cut your ban by 25% (e.g., 12 months to 9).
The Rule: It must be offered at sentencing. You cannot apply later. Talk to your solicitor before your court date.
DVLA: Check Your Licence
View your endorsements and check exactly how long your DG10 remains on your record.
The Law & Penalties
Official guidance on legal drug limits, testing procedures, and mandatory penalties for convictions.
*Disclaimer: Outcomes vary by insurer. Course completion is a positive risk indicator but does not guarantee a premium reduction.
Not a DG10 conviction? We provide specialist guidance across the entire drug driving insurance category. For other motoring or non-motoring offences, explore our main convicted driver insurance hub to find a policy that fits your circumstances.
