{"id":188203,"date":"2019-04-30T16:21:04","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T15:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/?p=188203"},"modified":"2026-05-11T05:20:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T04:20:44","slug":"drink-driver-car-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/car-insurance\/drink-driver-car-insurance","title":{"rendered":"Drink driver car insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’ve been convicted of drink driving, you’ll already know that finding affordable drink driving car insurance is incredibly difficult. However, the good news is there are still options out there for you.<\/p>

What is drink driving?<\/h3>

Drink driving simply means driving a vehicle after drinking alcohol. Alcohol can slow down your body’s responses and reactions, making it less safe to drive and putting both yourself and others at risk of an accident.<\/p>

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\n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Alcohol legal limits in the UK<\/span>\n <\/h4>\n
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In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, or 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine.<\/p>

In Scotland the limit is 50 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, and 67 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine.<\/p>

If you’re found to be driving with an alcohol level above these limits you’ll be convicted of drink driving. This can have serious consequences, including points on your licence, an unlimited fine, a drinking ban and time in prison. You’re also likely to see a significant rise in your car insurance costs.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Can you get car insurance again after a drink driving conviction?<\/h3>

It is possible to get car insurance for drink drivers, but depending how serious the conviction is you may find it a lot harder. If you’re looking to get car insurance after previously being banned from driving, insurers will view you as higher risk and will be less willing to offer you cover. If an insurer does offer you cover, the amount you pay for it will be much higher.<\/p>

If you’re struggling to find car insurance, you may need to approach a specialist insurance provider.<\/p>

How will drink driving affect the cost of car insurance?<\/h3>

How much your car insurance will go up by if you have a drink driving conviction will depend on how serious the conviction is. However, it’s likely that your premiums will at least double.<\/p>

We looked at the cost of a car insurance premium for a 40-year old married homeowner living in Kent with no previous convictions. The cost came to \u00a3481.Once we added a motoring conviction of driving with an alcohol level above the limit, premiums rose to \u00a3823 – almost double the original price.<\/p>

More serious convictions can cost even more, although in many cases insurers will simply refuse to provide cover.<\/div><\/div><\/article>

What are the penalties for being caught drink driving?<\/h3>

The penalties for drink driving will depend on the offence committed:<\/p>
Offence<\/th>Possible Penalty<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal alcohol limit or unfit through drink.<\/td>3 months’ imprisonment, up to \u00a32,500 fine, possible driving ban.<\/td><\/tr>
Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal alcohol limit or unfit through drink.<\/td>6 months’ imprisonment, unlimited fine, driving ban for at least 1 year.<\/td><\/tr>
Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis.<\/td>6 months’ imprisonment, unlimited fine, driving ban for at least 1 year.<\/td><\/tr>
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink.<\/td>14 years’ imprisonment, unlimited fine, ban from driving for at least 2 years, an extended driving test before your licence is returned.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

What are the drink driving statistics in the UK?<\/h3>

According to government data, the number of estimated road deaths caused by drink driving rose by 17% in 2019. Between 240 and 320 people were killed on the road when at least one driver was found to be over the legal blood alcohol limit. This was the highest rate since 2009.<\/p>

What happens if I don’t declare my conviction to my insurer?<\/h3>

When applying for drink driving car insurance, you must be upfront about any convictions that are “unspent”. If you’re not, you could invalidate your policy and any future claims you make are likely to be rejected.<\/p>

Once convictions are “spent”, you no longer need to declare them to your insurer. Convictions become spent after a certain length of time and this period will depend on your sentence.<\/p>

When is a drink driving conviction spent?<\/h3>

A drink driving conviction becomes spent after five years, so you don’t need to declare them to your insurer after this point. However, if your conviction was more serious, points can remain on your licence for as long as 11 years.<\/p>

How can I lower the cost of my insurance following a drink driving conviction?<\/h3>