DR10 and DR20 are both drink driving conviction codes, but they arise from different circumstances and carry a subtly different legal basis. From an insurer’s perspective, the two codes are treated almost identically. What matters far more is the conviction date, any associated penalty points, and how long ago the offence occurred.
This guide explains the legal distinction between the two codes, what both mean for your insurance premiums, and what to expect when seeking cover as a convicted drink driver.
What Is a DR10 Conviction?
A DR10 conviction is issued for “driving or attempting to drive with excess alcohol” under Section 5(1)(A) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This is the most common drink driving charge and applies when you are found to be over the legal alcohol limit whilst driving or attempting to drive.
The legal limits in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are:
- 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
- 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
- 107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
The legal limits in Scotland are lower: 22 micrograms per 100ml of breath and 50 milligrams per 100ml of blood. The DR10 code is the same, but the threshold at which it was triggered differs.
A DR10 conviction carries a minimum 12-month driving disqualification, with courts able to impose unlimited fines, community orders, or up to six months’ imprisonment. The conviction remains on your driving licence for 11 years from the date of conviction, though it becomes “spent” for most insurance purposes after five years under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
What Is a DR20 Conviction?
A DR20 conviction is for “driving or attempting to drive whilst unfit through drink” under Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This charge does not necessarily require you to be over the prescribed alcohol limit. Instead, it focuses on your fitness to drive due to alcohol consumption.
A DR20 might be issued when:
- Breath, blood, or urine samples cannot be obtained
- You appear clearly impaired by alcohol but may not be over the legal limit
- There is observed evidence of impaired driving ability caused by alcohol
- Testing was not possible at the roadside but impairment was evident to officers
The penalties for DR20 are identical to DR10: a minimum 12-month disqualification, unlimited fines, community orders, or up to six months’ imprisonment. Like DR10, a DR20 stays on your licence for 11 years and becomes spent after five years.
Key Differences Between DR10 and DR20
Whilst both convictions carry the same penalties and broadly the same insurance implications, there are important legal distinctions between them.
| DR10 | DR20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Section 5(1)(A) Road Traffic Act 1988 | Section 4 Road Traffic Act 1988 |
| What must be proven | Alcohol level measurably above the prescribed limit | Impaired fitness to drive due to alcohol, regardless of measured level |
| Evidence required | Breath, blood, or urine reading above limit | Observed impairment; no precise measurement required |
| Typical circumstances | Roadside breath test or police station procedure | Situations where testing was not possible but impairment was evident |
| Minimum ban | 12 months | 12 months |
| Maximum sentence | 6 months’ imprisonment plus unlimited fine | 6 months’ imprisonment plus unlimited fine |
| Licence endorsement period | 11 years from conviction | 11 years from conviction |
| Spent period (ROA 1974) | 5 years from conviction | 5 years from conviction |
| Insurance treatment | High-risk conviction requiring specialist cover | High-risk conviction requiring specialist cover |
Some legal commentary suggests DR20 may be viewed slightly less seriously because it does not require proof that you were above the prescribed limit. In practice, this distinction rarely translates into meaningfully different insurance treatment. Insurers focus on the fact of the conviction, not the precise legal route by which it was obtained.
Insurance Impact: DR10 vs DR20
From an insurance perspective, both DR10 and DR20 convictions are treated very similarly. Most insurers view them as equivalent high-risk factors because both demonstrate poor judgement regarding alcohol and driving.
The conviction code itself rarely influences premium calculations differently. Instead, insurers focus on the conviction date, any associated penalty points, and the length of any driving ban. You can typically expect:
- Significant premium increases, which will vary depending on your insurer, the recency of the conviction, and your overall risk profile
- Many mainstream insurers declining to offer a quote
- Higher excess requirements
- Restrictions on certain policy features
- Some specialist policies requiring payment in full rather than by monthly instalments
How Long These Convictions Affect Your Insurance
Both DR10 and DR20 convictions must be declared to insurers for five years from the date of conviction, at which point they become spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You are legally required to disclose the conviction when applying for or renewing insurance during this period.
It is worth noting that penalty points can remain on your licence for different periods depending on the offence, and these must also be declared to insurers. For DR10 and DR20, the endorsement stays on your licence for 11 years, even though the conviction becomes spent after five.
The impact on insurance typically reduces over time:
- Years 1 to 2: Maximum impact on premiums and availability. Mainstream insurers will largely decline to quote. Specialist cover is essential.
- Years 3 to 4: Gradual improvement in options and pricing, particularly if you have maintained a clean record since the conviction.
- Year 5 onwards: The conviction becomes spent. Significantly better rates and broader market access become available, and you are no longer required to declare it.
Legal Consequences and Rehabilitation
Both DR10 and DR20 result in criminal records, as both are imprisonable offences even if you only receive a fine. The Sentencing Council guidelines determine penalties based on alcohol readings and aggravating factors, with higher readings resulting in more severe sentences.
Drink Drive Rehabilitation Courses
Courts may offer a drink drive rehabilitation course for bans of 12 months or more. The offer is made at the point of sentencing and must be accepted in court on the day, as you cannot change your mind afterwards.
Completing the course can reduce your disqualification period by up to 25% (usually a quarter of the ban length). The course is available in Great Britain for bans of 12 months or more. There is no equivalent scheme currently operating in Northern Ireland.
Arma Insurance partners with Moorgate Drink Driving Course, one of the approved providers of this rehabilitation scheme, and can point convicted drivers towards a course provider as part of the wider support we offer alongside specialist insurance quotes.
Some specialist insurers look more favourably on applicants who hold a course completion certificate, as it demonstrates acknowledgement of the offence and steps taken to address it. It is worth mentioning this when seeking quotes after your ban ends.
Finding Insurance After a DR10 or DR20 Conviction
Securing insurance after either conviction requires approaching specialist insurers who understand convicted driver risks. Many mainstream providers will not quote, making the specialist market essential for obtaining cover.
When seeking quotes, always be completely honest about your conviction. Failing to declare a DR10 or DR20 could void your policy and invalidate any claims, potentially leaving you personally liable for significant costs. This is not simply a contractual obligation: withholding conviction information is a criminal offence.
Factors that will influence the options available to you include:
- How recently the conviction occurred
- Whether you have maintained a clean record since the conviction
- Vehicle type and value
- Whether any additional drivers are included and their own records
- Whether you completed a drink drive rehabilitation course
For those with multiple convictions or more complex circumstances, our guide to car insurance with a criminal record covers the broader picture in detail.
If you have recently come off a disqualification, our guide to getting car insurance after a driving ban covers the immediate steps to take once your licence is restored.
Impact on Commercial Vehicle Insurance
If you drive for work or own a business vehicle, DR10 and DR20 convictions will also affect commercial insurance. Van insurance after a criminal conviction follows similar principles but may carry additional complications due to business use considerations and the increased risk profile that commercial vehicles can attract.
Employers should also be aware that drivers with drink driving convictions may face restrictions under company vehicle policies or require separate arrangements, depending on the insurer and the nature of the work involved.
Moving Forward After Conviction
A DR10 or DR20 conviction creates significant insurance challenges, but it does not make cover impossible to obtain. The key is working with insurers who specialise in this market and who understand the full context of convicted driver cases.
Maintaining a completely clean driving record from the point of conviction is the single most important factor in improving your options over time. Every year without further offences demonstrates to insurers that the conviction was an isolated incident rather than part of a pattern of behaviour.
If you were offered and accepted a rehabilitation course at sentencing, completing it and retaining the certificate is worthwhile. Arma Insurance’s partnership with Moorgate Drink Driving Course means we can point you towards a recognised provider if you’re weighing up your options. Patience is also genuinely important: the jump in available options and pricing at the five-year spent point is substantial, and the market for drivers approaching that threshold becomes noticeably broader.
Summary
Whether you hold a DR10 or DR20 conviction, the insurance implications are largely the same: both are serious drink driving offences that will significantly affect your ability to obtain affordable cover in the short term. The specific conviction code matters less to insurers than the fact of the conviction itself, the recency of the offence, and your driving history since.
Being completely honest when applying for insurance and working with a specialist broker who understands the convicted driver market are the most practical steps available to you. As an FCA-regulated specialist broker, Arma Insurance works with a panel of insurers experienced in providing cover for drivers with convictions, helping you find suitable insurance despite your circumstances.
