Uninsured drivers leaving themselves at risk of penalties

23,000 people are injured by uninsured motorists Photo: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

A year on since the law sanctioning uninsured drivers was introduced there are still 1.2 milllion uninsured drivers in England and Wales.

35% of motorists quizzed by the The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) admitted, that they were not even aware of the law changes regarding uninsured drivers.

  • 85% were not aware of the change in motor insurance law.
  • Almost 1 in 10 (9%) have kept a vehicle without insurance in the past.
  • 18% think that its unlikely that they will get caught driving without insurance.
  • 4% admitted to having driven without insurance in the past.

There are two separate laws for insurance and a vehicle - and the Motor Insurance Database is used for both.

The first is that drivers are required to have insurance to drive a vehicle.

The second law, introduced in June 2011, requires registered keepers to have insurance for their vehicles at all times.

The consequences of driving without insurance are;

  • Vehicle seized by police (using ANPR cameras).
  • £200 fixed penalty.
  • £150 plus £20/day to recover the vehicle.
  • Six penalty points and/or disqualification.
  • PLUS proof of insurance before the vehicle can be returned.
  • Seized vehicles which are not claimed within 14 days can be sold or crushed - 40 per cent are never reclaimed.

The survey also highlights that almost half of 16 - 24 year olds (46%) are unaware of the change in law.

As a result, the awareness campaign has been broadcast again across national television and from June on radio for the first time.