Driving Without Insurance

Third Party insurance cover is the minimum legal requirement for driving in the UK. If you're driving without insurance, then you could face tough penalties as this is regarded as a serious criminal offence. If you think you can get away with it, then think again because there are now advanced technologies which quickly scan your vehicle and check whether you have valid insurance in place. Even when driving in a quiet area, you are still at risk and you may get caught when you least expect it.

Penalty for driving with no insurance

If you are caught driving without a valid insurance certificate, then you are likely to receive 6-8 points on your licence and may face a maximum fine of £5000. In certain circumstances, an instant ban may also be imposed on you.

Getting a conviction that is related to an insurance offence can have catastrophic consequences on your future premiums as insurers will give you higher and more expensive quotes and this could last for at least 4 years from the date of the offence. Your licence will bear an IN10 which corresponds to 'Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks'.

For those who don't have car insurance in place as well as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice), they might have their cars clamped and eventually crushed and destroyed. So you better watch out even if you're not driving.

Can I still be prosecuted if I was not the actual driver who was not insured?

If somebody borrowed your vehicle and has been driving without being insured, then you will be criminally charged as well because it is your responsibility to check the insurance position of the person who you are lending your car to. Note that not all fully comprehensive policies cover you to drive other vehicles.

You should also remember that driving uninsured is an absolute offence which means that defence is not available for such offences as your vehicle is either insured or not. Therefore if your insurance company forgot to renew your policy, then it is your fault that you have not have checked whether you have valid insurance in place or not.

Even if you simply park your car on the road but don't use it, you still need to have an adequate level of cover for the vehicle and that also applies if you're steering a towed away car.

So whether you are renting/borrowing/lending/leasing a car, make sure you (or anyone else) are not driving without insurance as this is illegal and you could be sentenced for it which could then have worse effects on your life than any silly excuse you could have for not paying for your premiums.

If you'd like to report an uninsured driver, please contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.