When it comes to drinking and driving the law is clear – but how does it impactyour car insurance? Whether you are a beginner or experienced driver, it’s vital to understand how drink driving affects not just your licence, but your policy too.
Because while it’s easy to assume it will ‘just be a fine or a ban’, the truth is that being found guilty of breaking drinking and driving laws can have long-term consequences for your ability to get affordable car insurance – or stay insured at all.
In this blog, we explain the legal limits, what happens if you are caught over the limit – even if you have fallen foul of believing a common myth on the matter – , and how it impacts your insurance, both now and in the future.
What is the legal drink driving limit in the UK?
According to official UK government guidance, the drink driving limit in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is:
- 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
- 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath
- 107 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine
In Scotland, the limits are stricter:
- 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
- 22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath
- 67 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine
But knowing the numbers isn’t always enough. How alcohol affects you depends on your size, age, gender, metabolism, how much you’ve eaten and even your stress levels. That’s why the safest advice is simple: don’t drink at all if you are planning to drive. Refusal to take a breath test can also lead to arrest.
What happens if you are caught drink driving?
If you are stopped by police and they suspect you have been drinking, they can ask you to take a breath test. If you fail, or refuse to take the test without a valid reason, you will likely be taken by the police station for further testing – usually via a blood or urine sample.
The penalties for drink driving are serious, and can include:
- A driving ban for at least 12 months
- An unlimited fine
- Up to six months in prison
- A criminal record
- Between three and 11 points on your licence
And if you still don’t have a full licence, just six points can be enough to have your licence revoked. You’d need to retake both your theory and practical test to get it back.
Even after the ban is over, a conviction can stay on your licence for 11 years, affecting your insurance, job prospects and travel plans. It’s just not worth the risk.
Does drink driving invalidate your car insurance?
In most cases, yes. If you are caught drink driving, your insurance company may refuse to cover any damage to your vehicle if you have an accident. While third-party cover might still apply, anything beyond that isn’t guaranteed.
That could mean:
- Cover for your own car is refused
- You are left paying out of pocket for repairs
- You lose your no claims bonus
- Your current policy may be cancelled
Even if the insurer does pay out, a drink-driving conviction will almost certainly push your premiums up – and make it harder to get affordable cover in the future. Here at Adrian Flux, we specialise in convicted driver insurance and may still be able to help if you’ve got points or even a ban on your record.
How does a drink driving conviction affect my insurance in the future?
If you’ve been convicted of drunk driving, it will show on your driving record, for up to 11 years. And that means most mainstream insurance companies will either:
- Decline to offer your cover, or
- Charge significantly more
Once your disqualification ends and you are legally allowed to drive again, you will need to:
- Disclose your conviction when applying for insurance
- Expect to pay a higher premium (at least at first)
- Consider working with a specialist insurance company, like us, who deals with these situations regularly
The good news? You can rebuild your driving record. With time, a clean licence and no further offences, your premiums can start to come down again.
Get a quote for convicted driver insurance
At Adrian Flux, we offer insurance for convicted drivers, including those with drink driving offences on their licence. If you need a policy that understands your situation, give us a call on 0800 369 8590 or request a quote online.
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