If you have a driving conviction, you may worry that you cannot get driving instructor insurance. However, a driving conviction does not automatically mean you cannot get cover.
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Insurers assess applications individually. Your type of conviction, when it happened, any penalty points you received and your wider driving history can all affect the options available to you.
Whether you are an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), Potential Driving Instructor (PDI) or run a driving school, you should always provide accurate information about your driving history when applying for insurance.
In many cases, yes. Some insurers will consider applications from drivers with previous driving convictions, although their underwriting criteria will vary.
A conviction may affect:
Whether an insurer will offer you cover
The number of insurers willing to provide a quote
The cost of your driving instructor insurance
The terms or conditions attached to your policy
The age and seriousness of the conviction can also matter. A recent serious motoring conviction may receive a different assessment from an older, less serious offence.
For this reason, having a conviction does not automatically mean you will be refused driving instructor insurance.
Different driving offences carry different levels of risk. Insurers may consider offences such as:
Speeding
Driving without insurance
Using a mobile phone while driving
Driving without due care and attention
Drink driving
Drug driving
Dangerous driving
Driving while disqualified
The number of penalty points can also vary depending on the offence. GOV.UK states that endorsements can carry between one and 11 penalty points, while some offences can also result in disqualification.
More serious convictions may have a greater impact on your insurance options. However, only an insurer can determine how a particular conviction will affect your application.
It can, but there is no standard increase that applies to every driver.
Insurers consider your overall risk when calculating a premium. A conviction may indicate a higher level of risk, which can result in a higher premium or fewer insurers being willing to quote.
Other factors can also affect the cost of your driving instructor insurance, including:
Your age
Driving experience
Claims history
Number of penalty points
Type of vehicle
Annual mileage
Where you live and work
How you use your vehicle
This means you should not assume that a conviction will make your insurance unaffordable.
We provide bespoke cover designed specifically for the unique needs of driving specialists.
The length of time a conviction or endorsement remains on your driving record depends on the offence.
GOV.UK states that endorsements generally remain on a driving record for either four or 11 years. For example, certain drink and drug driving offences remain on the record for 11 years from the date of conviction.
Insurers may also ask about convictions within a specific period when you apply for cover. The period they ask about will depend on their underwriting requirements.
You can check your driving licence record through GOV.UK to see your current endorsements and when they are due to be removed.
Yes, if the insurer asks you to disclose it.
When you apply for driving instructor insurance, answer all questions about convictions and your driving history accurately.
Do not assume that an old or spent conviction does not need to be disclosed. Insurance applications can have specific disclosure requirements, so check the questions carefully and provide the information requested.
Failing to provide accurate information could cause problems later, particularly if you need to make a claim.
If you are unsure whether you need to disclose a particular conviction, ask the insurer or insurance broker before completing your application.
Driving instructor insurance and ADI registration are separate matters.
If you want to become an ADI, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) considers your suitability to join the register. GOV.UK states that applicants must declare both spent and unspent convictions, and DVSA can take this information into account when deciding whether someone is suitable to become an ADI.
Existing ADIs must also report cautions and convictions to DVSA within seven days. This includes motoring offences and penalty points.
A conviction therefore does not simply become an insurance issue. If you are an ADI or are applying to become one, you should also check the current DVSA requirements.
If you have a recent conviction, give the insurer or broker the full details when requesting a quote.
It can help to have the following information available:
Your age
Driving experience
Claims history
Number of penalty points
Type of vehicle
Annual mileage
Where you live and work
How you use your vehicle
This allows the insurer to assess your circumstances accurately.
Avoid making assumptions about whether you can get cover based solely on the type of conviction. Different insurers can apply different underwriting criteria.
Having a driving conviction does not automatically mean you cannot get driving instructor insurance.
BG Insurance specialises in insurance for driving instructors and driving schools. If you have a conviction, provide the relevant details when you request a quote so the available options can be assessed based on your circumstances.
Whether you are an ADI, PDI or driving school owner, getting specialist advice can help you understand your insurance options.
Don't assume a previous conviction means you cannot get cover. Speak to BG Insurance to find out what driving instructor insurance options may be available to you.
GOV.UK: Penalty points, endorsements and offence codes
https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/endorsement-codes-and-penalty-points
GOV.UK: How long endorsements stay on your driving record
https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/how-long-endorsements-stay-on-your-driving-licence
GOV.UK: How to check your endorsement details
https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/how-to-check-your-endorsement-details
GOV.UK: Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) register guide
GOV.UK: Report cautions or convictions as an ADI
https://www.gov.uk/manage-approved-driving-instructor-registration/report-cautions-or-convictions
The BG Insurance Editorial Team writes practical, expert-led content for UK driving instructors, trainee instructors and driving schools. As a specialist driving instructor insurance broker, BG Insurance helps instructors understand their cover, manage risk and protect their business on the road.
If you need to claim against the policy you took out with BG Insurance, give us a call so we can help get things moving in the right direction.
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