Convicted Drivers

A Guide To Drink Drive Codes

A Guide To Drink Drive Codes
12 August 2026
5 min read

Endorsement codes which begin with the letters DR relate to driving offences which involve alcohol.

The following codes must stay on your licence for 11 years from the date of conviction:

  • DR10 – Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol levels above the limit

  • DR20 – Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink

  • DR30 – Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis

  • DR31 – Driving or attempting to drive then refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity

  • DR61 – Refusing 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 drive.

The above endorsement codes will be accompanied by between three and 11 penalty points, depending on the offence.

The following codes must stay on your licence for four years from the date of the offence:

  • DR40 – In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above the limit

  • DR50 – In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink

  • DR60 – Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive

  • DR70 – Failing to provide specimen for breath test

  • DR90 – Drunken in charge of a motor vehicle

The above endorsement codes will be accompanied by ten penalty points.

Endorsement codes which begin with the letters CD refer to careless driving offences, which can also sometimes involve alcohol.

The following codes must remain on your licence for 11 years from the date of conviction:

  • CD40 – Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drink

  • CD60 – Causing death by careless driving with alcohol level above the limit

  • CD70 – Causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for alcohol analysis

The above codes will be accompanied by between three and 11 penalty points, depending on the offence.

If you want to learn more about the limits in place across the UK, please visit the government website here.


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