A Freedom of Information requested by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has revealed that 226,803 drivers in the UK have points on their license for driving without insurance.
The request submitted to the DVLA revealed that 194,997 full license holders and 31,806 provisional license holders had been caught driving without the required level of insurance.
The figures also revealed that it is men who are far more likely to commit this offence, with males in the 17-34 age category four times more likely to drive without insurance than women.
IAM Chief Executive Simon Best commented: “The most concerning fact is that this could just be the tip of the iceberg, as these numbers only represent those who have been caught and penalised. Insurance fraud and uninsured driving are also growing problems that need to be tackled through a coordinated approach from enforcement authorities.
In the UK, the government operates a policy called ‘continuous insurance enforcement’, meaning that the registered keeper of the car must insure the vehicle or declare it off the road (SORN).
You can check if your vehicle is insured at askMID.
What happens if I get caught driving without insurance?
- You will receive 6 penalty points (you’re allowed 12 before being disqualified).
- You could receive a fine of up to £200.
- An increase in future insurance premiums of over £1200, depending on how old you are.
- The police could seize your car and in some circumstances destroy it.
- If the case goes to court, you could end up being disqualified from driving and receive a larger fine of up to £5000.
Peter Harrison, car insurance expert at MoneySupermarket, added:
Uninsured drivers cost the insurance industry £500 million each year. Furthermore, insurance fraud adds £39 to the cost of every motor premium and uninsured driving an extra £30 - this is not fair on law-abiding motorists.
On top of our huge range of new and used car offers, Arnold Clark can also provide insurance for your new car, with access to over 20 leading insurance companies, allowing us to offer highly competitive prices. Speak to our insurance team on 0845 121 0424, 7 days a week or visit our insurance section for more information.