Do drink driving courses reduce insurance costs?

If you’ve been banned for driving under the influence of alcohol, you may be invited to attend a drink driving course.

These are in-person courses designed to prevent you from ever drink driving again. You’ll be refreshed on not just the law of alcohol consumption with respect to driving, but also the impact of your decisions on your health – and the lives of others too.

To take part in a drink driving rehabilitation course, your ban needs to be for at least twelve months or more, and your attendance also needs to be ordered by the magistrate.

It’s best to research some courses in advance, as you’ll need to decide, in court, whether you want to partake – you cannot change your mind after the option has been offered. Courses generally cost around £250.

Driving bans can vary in length, but if you undertake a drink driving rehabilitation course you may find the length of your ban could be reduced by around 25% overall. For those heavily reliant on their vehicle, this can have a hugely beneficial impact.

There are several drink driving rehabilitation courses out there, but all will be approved by the Driving Standards Agency, and syllabuses tend to follow the same pattern.

Generally, they’re split into two parts. First, they’ll outline the impact of alcohol on driving, then secondly try to shift an individual’s behaviour. Experts work through the content with drivers with the aim of helping them recognise the dangers and consequences of their actions, and to take responsibility for them. They provide attendees with effective strategies to make positive, behavioural change.

After you complete your course, the court will inform the DVLA that your driving ban can be reduced. Your course provider can identify if you’re considered to be a high-risk driver, in which case you’ll also be required to take a medical exam and reapply for your driving licence.

Most drink driving courses last around 16 hours in total; these are split into 3-4 sessions taking place over a couple of weeks. You’ll find courses that run on weekends, weekdays and evenings, so it’s best to do some research to find one which suits your schedule.

Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to find a drink driving rehabilitation course will lead to cheaper car insurance quotes, particularly in comparison to what your premium was previously. In fact, you may struggle to find cover within your budget at all with a generalised search. However, as a rule of thumb, insurers will consider convicted drivers who have been on rehabilitation courses less of a risk compared with those who haven’t.

That being said, there are specialist services designed to support those with driving convictions – not just related to alcohol - in getting premiums, with a policy aptly named convicted driver insurance.

While your choice of providers will be reduced with convicted driver insurance, and premiums are likely to be higher than average, there are still ways you can reduce your costs:

• Add a low-risk named driver to your policy
• Reduce your mileage
• Change location – driving in cities at peak times will increase your premium
• Invest in black box insurance
• Store your car in a safe, secure location
• Consider the value and power of the vehicle you drive

When faced with higher quotes, adjusting even one of the above variables can yield a cheaper policy.

Looking for convicted driver insurance? Use our car insurance comparison tool to find a quote that works for you, even with a conviction.