What Is a DR10 Conviction Code?
DR10 is the DVLA endorsement code recorded on your driving licence when you are convicted of driving or attempting to drive with an alcohol level above the prescribed limit. It is the most common drink driving endorsement in the UK and is applied under section 5(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
The DR10 code appears alongside details of the conviction date and the period of disqualification on your driving record. It carries between 3 and 11 penalty points, though in practice the mandatory driving ban means points are rarely imposed alongside disqualification.
A DR10 endorsement signals to insurers, employers and other parties that you have been convicted of the most common form of drink driving. It is distinct from other DR codes, which relate to different drink driving and drug driving offences.
How Long Does a DR10 Stay on Your Licence?
A DR10 endorsement remains on your driving licence for 11 years from the date of conviction. This is significantly longer than the standard 4-year period for most motoring endorsements. The extended period reflects the seriousness with which drink driving is treated under UK law.
During this 11-year period, the endorsement is visible to anyone who checks your driving record, including insurers, employers and the police. It cannot be removed early, and there is no mechanism to apply for its early deletion.
After 11 years, you can apply to the DVLA to have the endorsement removed from your licence. If you hold a photocard licence, this will be updated automatically when you renew. If you need confirmation that the endorsement has been removed, you can request an updated driving record from the DVLA.
DR10 and Other Drink Driving Endorsement Codes
DR10
DR10 is the code for driving or attempting to drive with an alcohol level above the prescribed limit under section 5(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It is the standard drink driving offence and the most frequently prosecuted. It carries a mandatory minimum 12-month driving ban.
DR20
DR20 is the code for being in charge of a vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit under section 5(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This is a less serious offence than DR10 as it does not require proof that you were driving. It carries 10 penalty points and a discretionary ban.
DR30
DR30 is the code for driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink under section 4(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Unlike DR10, this offence relies on evidence of impairment rather than exceeding a specific alcohol limit. It carries the same penalties as DR10.
DR40
DR40 is the code for being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink under section 4(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Like DR20, it does not require proof of driving, but unlike DR20 it is based on impairment rather than exceeding the prescribed limit. It carries 10 penalty points and a discretionary ban.
DR50
DR50 is the code for attempting to drive while over the prescribed limit. It is less commonly used than DR10 as attempts to drive are typically prosecuted under the DR10 code. The penalties are the same as for DR10, including a mandatory minimum 12-month ban.
DR60
DR60 is the code for failure to provide a specimen for analysis under section 7 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This applies where a driver refuses or fails to provide a breath, blood or urine sample at the police station without a reasonable excuse. It carries the same penalties as drink driving.
DR70
DR70 is the code for failing to provide a specimen for a roadside breath test under section 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This is a separate offence from DR60 and relates specifically to the preliminary roadside test rather than the evidential test at the police station. It carries 4 penalty points.
How a DR10 Affects Your Insurance
A DR10 endorsement on your licence has a significant impact on your ability to obtain affordable car insurance. Many mainstream insurers will refuse to quote for drivers with a DR10, and those that do will charge substantially higher premiums. Increases of 50 to 100 percent are common, with some drivers facing even larger rises.
The impact on insurance premiums typically decreases as the conviction ages. Most insurers focus on convictions within the last 5 years, so the greatest premium impact is felt in the years immediately following conviction. After 5 years, many mainstream insurers will consider applications again.
Specialist convicted driver insurance brokers can search the market for competitive quotes throughout the 11-year endorsement period. These brokers have access to underwriters who specifically accept DR10 risks and can often secure significantly better rates than you would find on your own.
Removing a DR10 from Your Licence
A DR10 endorsement is automatically removed from your licence after 11 years from the date of conviction. You do not need to apply for removal, though you should check your driving record to confirm it has been updated. You can view your driving record online through the DVLA "View your driving licence information" service.
If the endorsement is still showing after 11 years, you can contact the DVLA to request its removal. There is no fee for this, and the update is typically processed within a few weeks. Once removed, the endorsement will no longer appear on licence checks carried out by insurers or employers.
It is worth noting that while the DR10 is removed from your licence after 11 years, the underlying criminal conviction remains on the Police National Computer. The endorsement removal only affects what appears on your driving licence and DVLA records, not your criminal record.