Drink driving and car insurance
Key takeaways:
- Drink-driving convictions can double your car insurance premiums.
- Scotland’s lower alcohol limit increases the chance of being over the limit.
- You can be charged even if you’re only “in charge” of a vehicle.
- Fines, driving bans, and prison make insurers see you as high-risk.
- Completing courses, using telematics, or going through specialist brokers can reduce costs.
UK drink driving limits: how much alcohol puts you over the limit?
In the UK, it’s illegal to drive if your alcohol level is above the legal limit. These limits vary slightly depending on where you are in the UK.
| Region | Legal alcohol limit |
|---|---|
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80mg per 100ml of blood |
| Scotland | 50mg per 100ml of blood |
Scotland has a lower legal limit, meaning drivers there can be over the limit after consuming less alcohol than in the rest of the UK.
That said, there’s no guaranteed safe amount of alcohol you can drink before driving. How alcohol affects you depends on factors such as:
- Your weight and metabolism
- Your age and sex assigned at birth
- Whether you’ve eaten
- The strength and amount of alcohol consumed.
What counts as a drink-driving offence?
You can be charged with a drink-driving offence if you:
- Drive or attempt to drive while over the legal alcohol limit
- Are in charge of a vehicle while over the limit, even if you’re not actually driving
- Refuse to provide a sample when requested by the police.
This means you don’t have to be seen driving to be charged. If the police believe you were in a position to drive while over the limit, that can be enough for an offence.
What is the penalty for drink-driving?
Drink-driving is treated as a serious criminal offence in the UK. Consequences can be long-lasting, affecting your driving, finances, and future opportunities.
According to GOV.UK guidance, penalties depend on the nature of the offence and are decided by the court.
To give you an idea of what this might look like, here’s an overview:
| Code | Offence | Licence points | Court penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR10 | Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit | 3 -11 | Up to six months’ imprisonment Unlimited fine Driving ban of at least 12 months (three years for repeat offence) |
| DR20 | Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink | 3 -11 | Up to six months’ imprisonment Unlimited fine Driving ban of at least 12 months (three years for repeat offence) |
| DR30 | Driving or attempting to drive, then failing to supply a specimen for analysis | 3 -11 | Up to six months’ imprisonment Unlimited fine Driving ban of at least 12 months (three years for repeat offence) |
| DR31 | Driving or attempting to drive, then refusing permission for analysis of blood sample taken without consent due to incapacity | 3 -11 | Up to six months’ imprisonment Unlimited fine Driving ban of at least 12 months (three years for repeat offence) |
| DR61 | Refusing permission for analysis of blood sample taken without consent due to incapacity (not driving/attempting to drive) | 10 | Up to six months’ imprisonment Unlimited fine Driving ban possible |
| DR40 | In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit | 10 | Up to three months’ imprisonment Fine up to £2,500 Possible driving ban |
| DR50 | In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink | 10 | Up to three months’ imprisonment Fine up to £2,500 Possible driving ban |
| DR60 | Failure to provide a specimen for analysis (other than while driving/attempting to drive) | 10 | Up to six months’ imprisonment Unlimited fine Driving ban possible |
| DR70 | Failing to cooperate with a preliminary breath test | 4 | Fine (amount set by court) Possible penalty points or disqualification |
How much is car insurance after a drink driving ban?
You can still get car insurance after a drink-driving conviction, but it’s likely to cost more than it did before.
Drink-driving is considered one of the most serious motoring offences by insurers because it carries a higher risk of expensive claims and serious injury. Due to this increased risk, it’s fairly common for insurance premiums to double after a conviction.
You may also face other challenges, including:
- Limited insurers: Some insurers may refuse to offer you cover, which reduces your choice of providers.
- Higher compulsory excess: This is the amount you have to pay yourself if you make a claim before your insurer pays the rest.
- You must tell insurers about convictions: Most insurers will ask if you’ve had a drink-driving conviction within the last five years, and not telling them could invalidate your policy.
- Penalty points on your licence: More serious offences can stay on your driving licence for up to 11 years, affecting both driving and insurance.
If you’ve been disqualified from driving, you’ll usually need to wait until your ban ends before you can take out a car insurance policy.
Other driving or criminal convictions you have can also influence whether insurers will offer you cover and how much you’ll pay.
How to reduce car insurance cost after a drink driving ban
Your premiums will likely rise after a conviction, but there are ways to keep costs down.
- Take a drink-driver course. Completing an approved rehabilitation course can sometimes reduce your ban and may lead to lower insurance premiums. You can usually find courses through courts, the police, or government websites.
- Compare policies online. Websites like Uswitch can help you see which insurers are willing to cover drivers with convictions, and whether there are any cheaper policies available.
- Seek specialist help if needed. If you struggle to find affordable cover, specialist brokers - such as those listed by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association - can help you find insurers willing to cover drivers with convictions.
- Use charities for support. Organisations like Unlock can recommend brokers or insurers who understand how to insure drivers with convictions.
- Consider a black box car insurance (telematics) policy. Showing safe driving over time can reduce premiums and demonstrate responsibility to insurers.
Drink-driving is never worth the risk. One poor decision can put lives in danger and affect your future for years - from a criminal conviction to higher insurance costs and limited opportunities. The safest and simplest choice is clear: if you’re driving, don’t drink.
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