IN10 Driving Offence Explained

IN10 Driving Offence Explained

If you are prosecuted for a driving offence, as well as receiving a fine and having points added to your licence, you will also receive an endorsement code defining the type of offence and its severity. These codes, of which ‘IN10’ is one, contain letters indicating the category of offence and a number indicating what you were prosecuted for. In this way, an endorsement adds more detail about your driving history to your driving record whenever you accrue points on your licence.

The IN10 endorsement code is issued with a penalty for driving without insurance. In the following guide, the motoring offences experts at JMW will explain what the IN10 endorsement code means in more detail, what impact this will have on you. 

What Are Endorsement Codes Used For?

Endorsement codes are used by the authorities and insurance companies to track any past driving offences you may have committed. While the police can check your licence at any time, insurance companies require your permission to view your licence, points and endorsements. If you do not grant them this permission, they may refuse to insure you. 

• The police will use endorsement codes to understand whether you are a repeat offender and decide how to prosecute you according to any previous convictions
• Insurance companies will use your endorsement codes to understand whether you are a responsible driver and set their prices for insuring you in line with your history and whether to insure you at all

What Does the IN10 Driving Offence Code Mean?

If you have an IN10 code on your licence, it means you were caught driving without insurance. This can be because you did not have any insurance at all, or because you continued driving after your insurance cover ran out. In cases where your insurance policy has changed without your knowledge, you may have grounds to challenge this with the underwriter. However, this is only an option if your insurance company did not take reasonable steps to notify you of the change.

Other ways you may have incurred an IN10 conviction include driving another vehicle that you are not insured to drive or allowing another uninsured driver to drive your vehicle. Driving without insurance is an absolute offence in the eyes of the law, meaning you may be fully prosecuted for allowing someone else to drive without the right insurance.

What Should I Do if I Am Accused of Driving Without Insurance?

If you are caught driving without insurance, you may want to dispute the prosecution if you believe it is unfair. Driving without insurance penalties can be very high - including a fine and between six and eight points on your licence. In persistent offending, it can attract a disqualification from driving. Disputing a driving without insurance charge is a complex process and being unsuccessful could lead to an increased penalty, so it is important to be sure of your legal rights before you proceed with a challenge.

You should never attempt to dispute a charge without first seeking advice from professionals, such as the expert motoring offence solicitors at JMW. Our team has many years of experience with driving without insurance cases. We understand exactly how the police collect and use evidence to prosecute uninsured drivers and we can use this to your advantage.

You should contact us before making any response to your charge. When you do, we will assess your situation and outline the best course of action. 

If you have been served with a penalty notice, contact us as soon as possible. Call 0800 804 8156 to speak to us today, or fill out an online contact form and we will return your contact at a time convenient for you.