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Driving Conviction Codes Explained

Do you know your SP50s from your DR10s?

Let’s be honest, driving conviction codes for motoring offences in the UK can be confusing. But it’s important information every motorist should know, as it can affect the cost and terms of your car insurance.

Because getting convicted driver insurance isn’t a one size fits all approach – you’ll need to get a bespoke product based on your type of driving offence.

As you’re probably aware, insurance for convicted drivers is going to be costly (so make that one incentive to remain safe on the roads)!

Below you’ll find examples of some common driving offences, plus a full list of the UK driving conviction codes:

Common Driving Offences

Driving Penalties for Speeding

Code: SP30
Offence: Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road.
Description: Getting caught speeding on a public road (one of the most common motoring convictions in the UK).
Penalty: Minimum £100 fine and 3-6 points on your licence.

Code: SP50
Offence: Exceeding speed limit on a motorway.
Description: Speeding on a motorway is exceeding 70mph (60mph for vehicles above a certain height, carrying certain weight or towing other vehicles).
Penalty: A fine + 3 – 6 points on your licence (valid for 4 years). If you receive the maximum 6 points and have been driving for less than 2 years, you’ll have your licence revoked.

Driving Penalties for Traffic Light Offences

Code: TS10
Offence: Traffic light offence.
Description: A TS10 driving offence is failing to comply with traffic light signals. So for example, driving through a red light.
Penalty: 3 points on your licence (valid for 4 years).

Driving Penalties for Insurance Offences

Code: IN10
Offence: Driving without valid insurance.
Description: Motor insurance is compulsory for protection against third-party risks.
If you get convicted of driving a vehicle without insurance, invalid or incorrect insurance, you’ll receive an IN10 on your licence.
Penalty: 6 -8  points on your licence (valid for 4 years).

Driving Penalties for Mobile Offences

Code: CU80
Offence: Driving whilst using a mobile phone.
Description: Driving whilst using a handheld device, which includes making calls, texting, checking maps, using apps, etc.  Exemptions are made in the case of an emergency.
This law even applies when a vehicle isn’t moving, such as at traffic lights. Hands-free devices are allowed, but motorists can still be convicted if it causes dangerous driving.
Penalty: New driving penalties for using a mobile at the wheel were introduced in March, in a crackdown on the offence. It’s now a £200 spot fine and 6 points on your licence (valid for 4 years).

Driving Penalties for Drinking Offences

Code: DR10
Offence: Driving over the alcohol limit.
Description: Driving or attempting to drive when above the allowable alcohol limit (80mg of per 100ml of blood).
Penalty: 3 – 11 points on your licence (valid for 11 years), and a possible driving ban. Convictions in serious cases.

Driving Penalties for Careless Driving Offences

Code: CD10
Offence: Driving without due care and attention.
Description: Examples of being convicted under a CD10 penalty include tailgating, undertaking, dangerous overtaking, driving too slow,  general distractions at the wheel and more.
Penalty: 3 – 9 points on your licence (valid for 4 years).

Special Code

Code: TT99
Offence: “Totting Up” 12+ points on your licence.
Description: A TT99 code is used for drivers that accumulate 12 or more points on their licence within a 3 year period.
Penalty: Disqualified from driving.

Full List of UK Driving Codes

Accident Offences

CodeOffencePenalty Points
AC10Failing to stop after an accident5-10
AC20Failure to report an accident within 24 hours or give particulars5-10
AC30Undefined accident offences4-9

Disqualified Driver

CodeOffencePenalty Points
BA10Driving while disqualified by order of Court6
BA30Attempting to drive while disqualified by order of Court6
BA40Causing death by driving while disqualified3-11
BA60Causing serious injury by driving while disqualified3-11

Careless Driving

CodeOffencePenalty Points
CD10Driving without due care and attention3-9
CD20Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users3-9
CD30Driving without due care and attention/reasonable consideration3-9
CD40Causing death by careless driving when unfit through drink3-11
CD50Causing death by careless driving when unfit through drugs3-11
CD60Causing death by careless driving when alcohol level above limit3-11
CD70Causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for alcohol analysis3-11
CD80Causing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving3-11
CD90Causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers3-11

Construction and Use Offences

CodeOffencePenalty Points
CU10Using a vehicle with defective brakes3
CU20Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of use of unsuitable vehicle or using a vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous condition.3
CU30Using a vehicle with defective tyre(s)3
CU40Using a vehicle with defective steering3
CU50Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers3
CU80Using a mobile phone whilst driving3

Reckless / Dangerous Driving

CodeOffencePenalty Points
DD10Causing serious injury by dangerous driving3-11
DD40Dangerous Driving3-11
DD60Manslaughter or culpable homicide while driving a vehicle3-11
DD80Causing death by dangerous driving3-11
DD90Furious driving3-9

Drugs

CodeOffencePenalty Points
DG10Driving or attempting to drive with drug level above the specified limit3-11
DG40In charge of a vehicle while drug level above specified limit10
DG60Causing death by careless driving with drug level above the limit3-11
DR80Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs3-11
DR90In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs10

Alcohol

CodeOffencePenalty Points
DR10Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol concentration above limit3-11
DR20Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drink3-11
DR30Driving or attempting to drive then refusing to provide a specimen for testing3-11
DR31Driving or attempting to drive then refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity3-11
DR40In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit10
DR50In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink10
DR60Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive10
DR61Refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive10
DR70Failing to provide specimen for breath test4

Insurance Offences

CodeOffencePenalty Points
IN10Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks6-8

License Offenses

CodeOffencePenalty Points
LC20Driving without a licence3-6
LC30Driving after making a false declaration about fitness when applying for a licence3-6
LC40Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability3-6
LC50Driving after a licence has been revoked or refused on medical grounds3-6

Miscellaneous Offences

CodeOffencePenalty Points
MS10Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position3
MS20Unlawful pillion riding3
MS30Play Street Offence2
MS50Motor racing on the highway3-11
MS60Offences not covered by other codes (including offences relating to breach of requirements as to control of vehicle)3
MS70Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight3
MS80Refusing to submit to an eyesight test3
MS90Failing to give information as to identity of driver etc6

Motorway Offences

CodeOffencePenalty Points
MW10Breach of Special Roads Regulations (excluding speed limits)3

Pedestrian Crossings

CodeOffencePenalty Points
PC10Undefined breach of Pedestrian crossing Regulations3
PC20Breach of Pedestrian crossing Regulations with moving vehicle3
PC30Breach of Pedestrian crossing Regulations Stationary vehicle3

Speeding

CodeOffencePenalty Points
SP10Exceeding goods vehicle speed limit3-6
SP20Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicles)3-6
SP30Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road3-6
SP40Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit3-6
SP50Exceeding speed limit on a motorway3-6

Traffic Directions and Signs

CodeOffencePenalty Points
TS10Failing to comply with traffic light signals3
TS20Failing to comply with double white lines3
TS30Failing to comply with a ‘Stop’ sign3
TS40Failing to comply with directions of a constable/traffic warden3
TS50Failing to comply with traffic sign (excluding ‘stop’ signs, traffic lights or double white lines)3
TS60Failing to comply with a school crossing patrol sign3
TS70Undefined failure to comply with a traffic direction sign3

Special Code

CodeOffencePenalty Points
TT99“Totting Up” 12+ penalties within 3 yearsDisqualification

Theft / Unauthorised Taking

CodeOffencePenalty Points
UT50Aggravated taking of a vehicle3-11

At Business Choice Direct, we specialise in providing cost-effective and tailored convicted driver insurance. Get in touch for a bespoke insurance quote.

Click here for the full list of UK driving offences codes from the gov website.

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