How can I get around DG10 on Licence – It’s Stopping Me from Getting Work as a Qualified Plumber & Gas Engineer. Desperately Need help or advise?
Posted by Abject-Examination87@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 13 comments
Location: UK
Hi everyone, (25m)
I’m honestly at breaking point and really hoping someone here can offer some advice or point me in the right direction.
Back in 2020 during Covid, I made a stupid and completely out-of-character mistake. I smoked a joint near my home—something I’d never really done before—and not long after, I was caught getting into my car. I ended up with a DG10 conviction (drug driving) and received a 1-year driving ban, which I served fully and without issue. The endorsement is now on my licence until 2032, even though I’ve never smoked since and genuinely learned a hard lesson from that one silly decision.
Fast forward to now, I’ve worked hard to turn my life around. I’ve recently qualified as a plumber and gas engineer, and I’m trying to provide for my family—especially my 2-year-old son—but the DG10 is making it near impossible to get hired.
Most employers either: •Reject me because I can’t be added to their fleet insurance •Or won’t even give me a chance after seeing my licence record
On top of that, getting personal van insurance with a DG10 is ridiculously expensive—it’s just not manageable alongside our household bills and nursery fees. I feel like I’ve done the right things to move forward, but I’m stuck in this trap where I can’t use my qualifications to earn a living.
I’m not trying to make excuses—what I did was wrong, and I fully accept that. But I’ve changed, never ever smoked again or before this, and just want a chance to work and support my family.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? •Is there any way I can reduce the impact of the DG10 or get insured affordably? •Can I work around it, like teaming up with a driver or going self-employed •Are there certain types of employers or insurance brokers who are more understanding or flexible?
I’d truly appreciate any guidance, shared experiences, or advice. I just want to move forward and build a stable future for my son and partner.
Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply.
DearDegree7610@reddit
Theres loads of specialist insurers dealing with these now, contact a broker and they’ll find you one who will do it for about 15% above average.
Are you in north west by any chance?
Abject-Examination87@reddit (OP)
North east, I explained before a bit more about my situation… I’m not whining or looking for a hand out I’ve worked every day of my life and never take sick days I just need a break and my mistake is now starting to affect my 2 year old boys future and my partners… we are sat most weekends with nothing
DearDegree7610@reddit
When was the conviction? Any chance it was caught up in all of those which were overturned after the owners of the test lab went to jail for fraud
Intelligent_Put_3520@reddit
The last company I worked at had 2 lads who lost Thier licenses for drug driving. 1 of them also lost it previously for no insurance and then driving whilst disqualified. He then got caught speeding twice in one day and got 12 points on his license. Company still kept him and could get insured for both of them.
Kinky_Pinata@reddit
I've got a DG10 on my license but don't need a commercial vehicle. I found my insurance on my personal car did go up but not by as much as I expected. I also got my insurance though a comparison website as most of them seem to have an option to add DG10 onto your quote and I found that the quotes that came back were way cheaper than these "specialist" brokers. Not sure if that will be the same for commercial vehicles Also, not sure if this is at all helpful for you but you can actually still rent a van, enterprise will rent for you just fine(most other big renters won't though so you are exclusively relying on enterprise)
For me the biggest struggle to come to terms with is the criminal record, it sounds bizarre that the police and CPS think it's ok to ruin someone's life over a simple mistake I also found that the length of time it stays on your record is longer than some crimes that actually have caused harm to people Frankly the law needs relaxing, the majority of people get done for having had a spliff the night before which is ludicrous, apparently it's fine to have an all night bender and drive with a massive hangover but how dare you drive 12 hours after having a spliff The limit is also miniscule, someone was comparing it with alcohol and saying that the legal limit on drugs is basically 1/40th of the legal limit for alcohol
Best of luck and hope you get sorted
Sea-Still5427@reddit
If you google, there are specialist insurers out there.
Thinking a bit more creatively, if you were to be self-employed, could your partner be your driver, or maybe someone in your family who's retired and wants to support you?
Abject-Examination87@reddit (OP)
My family stretches as far as me and my son and my partners mum as I don’t have the greatest relationship with my family and my poor partners is constantly at worn covering her half
Abject-Examination87@reddit (OP)
Hey all, just wanted to explain my situation a bit more clearly.
Right now, I’m in a really tough financial spot. After paying all my weekly outgoings — including rent, bills, nursery fees, debt repayments, and basic living costs — I’m basically left with nothing. There’s no room for savings, emergencies, or even any extras for my family.
Because of that, the idea of going self-employed honestly scares me. It’s not just the instability — it’s the pressure of not knowing if I’ll be able to afford the essentials week to week, especially with a young family to support. The risk just feels too high, and the stress it would cause me (and my family) isn’t something I think we could handle right now.
On top of that, I’ve looked into self-employed insurance options (especially with a DG10 on my record), and the quotes I’m getting are sky-high — way beyond anything I could realistically afford. It’s disheartening, because I really want to move forward, but the financial barriers are huge.
Appreciate any advice or support from others who’ve been through similar situations.
Exact_Setting9562@reddit
I've seen handymen working and carrying their kit on electric cargo ebikes? Might work better in a big City than in the country though.
Reverend_Vader@reddit
Ex plumber here
The simple answer as this job requires you to be in a different place multiple times a day sometimes, with at least a car boot full of tools
Self employment may be your only option, the guys in the past done for drink driving that I knew
All had to go self employed for a few years before an employer would touch them, they took the insurance hammer with their own vehicle
The other option is to work with a self employed guy that is willing to drive you around as he needs more than him on the job (much less money)
That's your reality I'm afraid, the building trade was much more accommodating back in my day, now they are much more stringent with direct employees
self employed sub contractor is your way back in
Snooker1471@reddit
I would have thought 1. Agencies wouldn't care in any way about past convictions on your licence. 2. Local council contractors pay less so generally can't be too picky or the way I would go would be 3. Fully self employment as a sole trader. No idea what your van insurance would be but a couple of boiler replacements would more than cover it with what you guys can charge. I don't know anyone who has been done for Drug Driving but do know 2x people who got done for Drink Driving which carries the same consequences regarding licence endorement and stigma attatched. Both of those guys even managed to work through their ban's (Electricians) on building sites. Again Trades in general are in huge demand, Yeah you made a mistake, It happens. Bite the bullet, find out who does the local council work, Register with agencies and if possible and you fancy it set up as a sole trader.
continentaldreams@reddit
I work for an insurance broker, and I would suggest you call around and see if there's any strings they can pull - you need to enquire specifically for brokers that provide for 'private clients' rather than commercial clients, as the markets are very different. Brokers have relationships with insurers and can recommend work arounds for things like this. It will be expensive still, of course, but it's worth a shot - and the initial enquiry etc will be free of charge of course. They typically charge commission or fees.
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