Driving licences in the UK are endorsed by the Courts following a motorists conviction for a driving related offence. These endorsements are based on a standard list of conviction codes which depending upon the severity of the offence may remain on the licencee for a period from 4 years up to 11 years following the date of conviction.
What motoring convictions do I need to disclose to an insurance company?
For private insurance contracts e.g personal motor insurance you only need to answer the question that is asked by the insurance company and this will generally take the form of
Have you, in the last five years, had any motoring convictions, driving licence endorsements or fixed penalties or have you been disqualified from driving?
– Do you have any pending prosecutions for any motoring offence?
– Do you have any non-motoring convictions which are not considered spent, or any pending prosecutions?
For other contracts the questions will be similar and you will be required to disclose the details of any convictions that are not considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. For simple motoring offences where the driver’s licence is endorsed the period is 5 years from the date of conviction. Other punishments including imprisonment would need clarification under the Act.
Do I need to declare motoring convictions once the “points” have expired from my licence?
Whether points and licence endorsements are current or not is irrelevant in terms of the disclosure of convictions. It is whether the conviction is spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act that determines whether it should be disclosed and for most insurers requesting details of convictions in the last 5 years most motoring offences will need to be disclosed whether the points are current or not. Similarly and somewhat controversially, conviction such as a DR10 that remains on the licence for 11 years does not need to be disclosed after 5 years as it is spent under the Act.
When do I need to disclose convictions to an insurance company?
You need to disclose the convictions when you take out the policy and also disclose any further convictions you may receive at any subsequent renewal of the policy or during the term of the insurance if such disclosure is required by the terms of the policy.
Code | Offence | Penalty Points | Years Valid |
Accident Offences |
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AC10 | Failing to stop after an accident | 5 to 10 | 4 |
AC20 | Failing to give particulars or report an accident within 24 hours | 5 to 10 | 4 |
AC30 | Undefined accident offences | 4 to 9 | 4 |
Disqualified Driver |
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BA10 | Driving while disqualified by order of court | 6 | 4 |
BA30 | Attempting to drive while disqualified by order of court | 6 | 4 |
Careless Driving |
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CD10 | Driving without due care and attention | 3 to 9 | 4 |
CD20 | Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users | 3 to 9 | 4 |
CD30 | Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users | 3 to 9 | 4 |
CD40 | Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drink | 3 to 11 | 11 |
CD50 | Causing death by careless driving when unfit through drugs | 3 to 11 | 11 |
CD60 | Causing death by careless driving with alcohol level above the limit | 3 to 11 | 11 |
CD70 | Causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for alcohol analysis | 3 to 11 | 11 |
CD80 | Causing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving | 3 to 11 | 4 |
CD90 | Causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers | 3 to 11 | 4 |
Construction and Use Offences |
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CU10 | Using a vehicle with defective brakes | 3 | 4 |
CU20 | Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of use of unsuitable vehicle or using a vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous condition | 3 | 4 |
CU30 | Using a vehicle with defective tyre(s) | 3 | 4 |
CU40 | Using a vehicle with defective steering | 3 | 4 |
CU50 | Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers | 3 | 4 |
CU80 | Breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, mobile telephone etc | 3 | 4 |
Reckless/Dangerous Driving |
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DD10 | Causing serious injury by dangerous driving | 3 to 11 | 4 |
DD40 | Dangerous driving | 3 to 11 | 4 |
DD60 | Manslaughter or culpable homicide while driving a vehicle | 3 to 11 | 4 |
DD80 | Causing death by dangerous driving | 3 to 11 | 4 |
DD90 | Furious driving | 3 to 9 | 4 |
Drink or Drugs |
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DR10 | Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit | 3 to 11 | 11 |
DR20 | Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink | 3 to 11 | 11 |
DR30 | Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis | 3 to 11 | 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 to 11 | 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 | 11 |
DR40 | In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit | 10 | 4 |
DR50 | In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink | 10 | 4 |
DR60 | Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive | 10 | 4 |
DR70 | Failing to provide specimen for breath test | 4 | 4 |
DR80 | Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs | 3 to 11 | 11 |
DR90 | In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs | 10 | 4 |
Insurance Offences |
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IN10 | Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks | 6 to 8 | 4 |
Licence Offences |
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LC20 | Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | 3 to 6 | 4 |
LC30 | Driving after making a false declaration about fitness when applying for a licence | 3 to 6 | 4 |
LC40 | Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability | 3 to 6 | 4 |
LC50 | Driving after a licence has been revoked or refused on medical grounds | 3 to 6 | 4 |
Miscellaneous Offences |
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MS10 | Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position | 3 | 4 |
MS20 | Unlawful pillion riding | 3 | 4 |
MS30 | Play street offences | 2 | 4 |
MS50 | Motor racing on the highway | 3 to 11 | 4 |
MS60 | Offences not covered by other codes (including offences relating to breach of requirements as to control of vehicle) | 3 | 4 |
MS70 | Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight | 3 | 4 |
MS80 | Refusing to submit to an eyesight test | 3 | 4 |
MS90 | Failure to give information as to identity of driver etc | 6 | 4 |
Motorway Offences |
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MW10 | Contravention of special roads regulations (excluding speed limits) | 3 | 4 |
Pedestrian Crossings |
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PC10 | Undefined contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations | 3 | 4 |
PC20 | Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with moving vehicle | 3 | 4 |
PC30 | Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with stationary vehicle | 3 | 4 |
Speed Limits |
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SP10 | Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits | 3 to 6 | 4 |
SP20 | Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicles) | 3 to 6 | 4 |
SP30 | Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road | 3 to 6 | 4 |
SP40 | Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit | 3 to 6 | 4 |
SP50 | Exceeding speed limit on a motorway | 3 to 6 | 4 |
Traffic Signs and Directions |
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TS10 | Failing to comply with traffic light signals | 3 | 4 |
TS20 | Failing to comply with double white lines | 3 | 4 |
TS30 | Failing to comply with ‘stop’ sign | 3 | 4 |
TS40 | Failing to comply with direction of a constable/warden | 3 | 4 |
TS50 | Failing to comply with traffic sign (excluding ‘stop’ signs, traffic lights or double white lines) | 3 | 4 |
TS60 | Failing to comply with a school crossing patrol sign | 3 | 4 |
TS70 | Undefined failure to comply with a traffic direction sign | 3 | 4 |
Special Code |
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TT99 | disqualification under ‘totting-up’ – if the total of penalty points reaches 12 or more within 3 years, the driver can be disqualified. | – | 4 |
Theft or Unauthorised Taking |
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UT50 | Aggravated taking of a vehicle | 3 to 11 | 4 |
Mutual Recognition Codes | if you’re disqualified while driving in Northern Ireland, Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. Your disqualification period will also be valid in GB. | ||
MR90 | Reckless or dangerous driving (whether or not resulting in death, injury or serious risk) | – | 4 |
MR19 | Wilful failure to carry out the obligation placed on driver after being involved in a road accident (hit or run) | – | 4 |
MR29 | Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substance affecting or diminishing the mental and physical abilities of a driver | – | 4 |
MR39 | Driving a vehicle faster than the permitted speed | – | 4 |
MR49 | Driving a vehicle whilst disqualified | – | 4 |
MR59 | Other conduct constituting an offence for which a driving disqualification has been imposed by the State of Offence | – | 4 |
Aiding, abetting, counselling or procurement offences |
The conviction code is as per the primary conviction code but with the last digit replaced by a “2” e.g. SP30 becomes SP32 | ||
Causing or permitting offences |
The conviction code is as per the primary conviction code but with the last digit replaced by a “4” e.g. SP30 becomes SP34 | ||
Inciting Offences |
The conviction code is as per the primary conviction code but with the last digit replaced by a “6” e.g. DR10 becomes DR16 |