Rehabilitation of Offenders Act on Car Insurance

The rehabilitation of offenders Act came into effect in 1975. This followed Lord Gardiner's report, which said that one million people in the UK had criminal records. The Act set out to protect genuinely reformed characters by wiping off criminal convictions after several conviction free years. The Act has changed the way insurers look at convicted drivers. 
 
Some car insurers such as Insure your motor specialise in offering driving insurance for convicted drivers within the UK. Many Insurers still look at convictions, as a serious problem although under the law, spent convictions cannot be taken into account. It is a duty of the insured to honestly disclose all convictions that are not spent.
 
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (became operative 1/7/75) enables some criminal convictions to become 'spent' or ignored, after a period of 'rehabilitation'.
 
The length of the rehabilitation period for some convicted drivers depends on the sentence given, not the offence committed. For a custodial sentence the rehabilitation period is decided on the original sentence given, not the time spent.
 
As this act applies to all convicted drivers, it encompasses motoring offences and therefore affects the handling of driving insurance. The general public understands very little so it is important to establish the facts. This will avoid repudiation of claims or re-quotes from non-disclosure.
 
An endorsement on a driving licence, does not fall within the definition of the act so cannot affect the rehabilitation period. It is unlikely, however, that a person would receive penalty points without a fine, disqualification (see below) or prison sentence.
 
For example If a client was Caught Speeding and was given 3 Points and a £40 fine in this case it is the fine of £40 that would result in a 5-year rehabilitation period, not the endorsement.

Drink driving insurance UK

This applies to drink driving offences too. The licence is endorsed for eleven years; however, any rehabilitation period is determined by the punishment (fine, disqualification or imprisonment).

Disqualification relating to driving insurance for convicted drivers in UK

If a person is disqualified (for example, from driving or being a company director) at the same time as receiving another penalty, the longer rehabilitation period applies.
 
For example, if a motorist is banned for 7 years and fined - which takes five years to become spent - the rehabilitation period would be seven not five years.