DVLA Conviction Codes & Penalty Points: What You Need to Know

A motoring conviction can feel like a significant setback, not just for your driving record but also for your car insurance. In the UK, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) uses specific codes to record driving offences and the penalty points associated with them. Understanding these codes and their implications is crucial for every driver, as they directly influence your insurance premiums and, in some cases, your ability to drive.

At The Comparison Expert, we aim to demystify the impact of these endorsements. This guide will help you understand the most common DVLA conviction codes, how they affect your driving licence and insurance, and how to navigate the market to find a suitable policy.

Understanding DVLA Endorsement Codes

DVLA conviction codes are a standardised system used to record specific driving offences. Each code indicates the nature of the offence, and most come with a set number of penalty points. These points are added to your driving licence and remain active for a set period, typically four or eleven years, depending on the severity of the offence. You can find detailed information on how long endorsements stay on your driving licence on the GOV.UK website.

Some of the most frequently encountered conviction codes include:

Speeding Offences:

• SP30: Exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road.
• SP50: Exceeding the speed limit on a motorway. For specific insurance guidance related to this, visit our Motorway Speeding SP50 Insurance page.

Careless Driving:

• CD10: Driving without due care and attention.

Mobile Phone Use:

• CU80: Using a mobile phone while driving. You can find more details on our Mobile Phone CU80 Insurance page.

Traffic Signal Offences:

• TS10: Failing to comply with traffic light signals. You can find more details on our Traffic Signal TS10 Insurance page.

Licence-Related Offences:

• LC20: Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (e.g., driving unsupervised on a provisional licence).

More serious offences also have their codes, such as Drink Driving (DR10), Drug Driving (DG10), and No Insurance (IN10).

How Conviction Codes Affect Your Car Insurance

Any penalty points on your licence will almost certainly lead to an increase in your car insurance premiums. Insurers view drivers with endorsements as a higher risk, as they are statistically more likely to be involved in future incidents that could lead to a claim. The exact increase in your premium will depend on several factors, including the number of points, the severity of the offence, and how recently it occurred. For a detailed breakdown of how points impact your policy, please see our Car Insurance With Points page.

The 'Totting Up' System and Driving Bans

Accumulating too many penalty points can lead to a driving disqualification under the 'totting up' system. If you accrue 12 or more penalty points within three years, you face a minimum six-month driving ban. For new drivers (those who passed their test within the last two years), accumulating just 6 points will result in their licence being revoked. Understanding these thresholds is vital to protecting your driving privileges. If you are facing a totting-up ban, our Totting Up TT99 Insurance page offers relevant information, and for those who have been disqualified, our Banned Driver Insurance page can help.

Broader Criminal Convictions and Insurance

It's important to note that even non-motoring criminal convictions can affect your car insurance. While the impact might not be as direct as penalty points, insurers may still consider a criminal record when assessing your overall risk profile. For comprehensive guidance on this, visit our Car Insurance With Criminal Convictions page.

Finding Insurance with Convictions

While a driving conviction can make finding affordable car insurance more challenging, it is certainly not impossible. The key is to seek out specialist insurance providers who are experienced in covering drivers with a range of endorsements and convictions. These insurers are often more willing to offer competitive quotes by assessing your circumstances rather than applying blanket penalties.

At The Comparison Expert, we connect you with a panel of such specialists. For more information and to start comparing quotes, visit our main Convicted Driver Insurance page.