Will being a convicted driver affect my chances of getting a job?

If you were disqualified from driving as a result of your offence, suddenly those daily duties that were so simple become more complicated – like picking your kids up from school, doing the weekly shop or driving to visit friends or family at the weekend.

It also has financial implications, especially when it comes to car insurance. Providers consider convicted drivers a greater risk to insure, so they charge higher premiums as a result.

The Insurance Factory does things differently. We don’t tar all drivers with the same brush; instead, we’ll consider your individual circumstances to arrange the right level of convicted driver insurance cover for your needs. We strive to be as competitive as possible with our pricing on all convicted driver insurance policies.

Convictions and your career
Another area that could be affected by a driving conviction is your employment. If you’re currently looking for a new job or just entering the working world, you might be wondering how your offence will affect your career prospects.

The bottom line is that it all depends on the nature of the job and the type of motoring conviction you’ve got. Hopefully, we can clear up any questions you might have below:

Do you have to tell employers about a conviction?
As The Drive explains, the majority of jobs require you to declare so-called ‘unspent’ convictions (spent convictions can be ignored after a certain amount of specified time). If you’re applying for a role that involves working with vulnerable adults or children, or a government-based role, then you’ll need a DBS check (formerly known as a CRB check).

You’ll have to sign a declaration for the check upon application and, if you’re offered the job, you’ll have to complete the DBS form and provide some ID – the form can’t be completed unless you consent.

Can employers find out about convictions without my permission?
No – an employer can only perform a DBS check if you’ve given consent, and only after you’ve been offered the job. They have a right to withdraw the job offer once they’ve carried out the check.

What if I’m required to let an employer know about my convictions?
Telling an employer about a motoring conviction can be a daunting experience, but there will be companies out there willing to give you a chance. If you’ve got to disclose this information, it can help to tell the employer what you’ve learned from the conviction, how the past is the past, and how your life has changed since.

The trick, explains The Drive, is to ‘think beyond your conviction and show people what you have to offer’. Talk about your skills, experience, willingness to learn and determination. But don’t hide your conviction – honesty really is the best policy!

If you were offered the job but the employer withdrew the offer after finding out about a conviction, it can be a real knock to your confidence. But take something positive from this: you’re obviously skilled and competent for the job you want, so keep looking until you find an employer willing to look past your driving conviction and give you a chance. There are many employers out there like this – in fact, a lot of companies in the UK promote themselves as ‘offender-friendly’.

I’ve got a job – do I have to tell my company?
Already got a job? As UK Recruiter explains, your employment contract may not state that you need to declare a motoring offence. In any case, you should read through your employment handbook to see if you’re required to let your employer know about your conviction.

If your job involves driving in some way, then obviously you will have to declare a motoring conviction, particularly if you’ve been disqualified.

Will I be fired from my job?
This really depends on what you do for a living. If you drive as part of your role (for instance, if you’re a delivery driver) and your contract states that you need to have a clean driving licence to work, then it’s possible that you could lose your job if your company can’t make the right adjustments for your new situation.
If, for instance, you were caught drink driving in a company car, or during a shift, then these are definite grounds for dismissal.

If you work for a professional body, UK Recruiter explains that you may have to leave the company if you have a criminal record.

The bottom line
Ultimately, your current role and future career prospects can be impacted by a driving conviction – the extent will depend on what you do for a living, and the severity of the offence.

You may find it difficult getting a driving job again, as many of these roles require the driver to have a clean licence. And it could work against you if you’re applying for a job working with children or adults, or for a professional organisation.
 
Other than this, if you’re transparent about your driving history and can demonstrate how you’ve reformed, there’s no reason why employers shouldn’t give you a chance – particularly if you’ve got the skills and experience required for the role. You shouldn’t be defined by your motoring conviction! Interested in learning more? Read our commonly asked questions as a convicted driver.

Convicted driver insurance from the Insurance Factory
If you’re looking to get back on the road and need convicted driver insurance, we consider a range of offences, including:
  • Driving without insurance
  • Driving or attempting to drive while over the limit
  • Speeding on a motorway
  • Driving in a dangerous manner
  • Driving at a dangerous speed
  • Reckless driving
  • Non-motoring convictions
We’ve got over 20 years of experience arranging convicted driver insurance for motorists, and have access to a panel of specialist insurers. Get back behind the wheel with as little hassle as possible with the Insurance Factory – get a free, no-obligation quote today!