It’s illegal to drive without insurance – and an extremely serious offence to do so.
It’s also not uncommon for those with insurance to still be penalised for having the wrong details on their policy so, mistakes can also be costly.
What are the penalties for driving without insurance?
The punishment for driving without insurance is a fixed penalty notice of £300. How many points you’ll incur will depend on the severity of the offence, but it’s usually between 6-8 points.
More severe instances of driving with no insurance – like repeat offences or those in conjunction with other offences like the vehicle having no MOT or not producing a valid driving licence – result in higher penalties.
Should the case reach a criminal court, penalties escalate. Offenders face an unlimited fine and can be disqualified from driving for a minimum of 28 days.
What is the maximum fine for driving without insurance?
There is no maximum fine for driving without insurance.
While the minimum fine for the offence is £300, if the case goes to a criminal court, there’s no upper limit to how high the fine can be.
How can the police tell if you’re driving without insurance?
The police can tell if you’re driving without insurance through number plate recognition.
Police vehicles are often equipped with ANPR cameras that read number plates and tell the officer if the car has valid insurance, MOT and vehicle tax.
If the police stop you on the roadside, they will often perform basic roadside checks. This involves taking a breath sample if they suspect drunk driving and conducting manual insurance checks.
So, just because you’re not caught on camera, doesn’t mean you aren’t still at risk.
Will driving without insurance result in a criminal record?
Driving without insurance is not punishable with prison time – so it won’t flag up as an offence on a criminal record.
However, it is an extremely serious offence and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Those found guilty of the offence still face potentially unlimited fines and driving bans, as well as additional fallout such as higher insurance premiums.
What to do if you’re hit by an uninsured driver
If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, contact your insurance company and the police immediately.
The unfortunate reality of being hit by an uninsured driver is that it’s the ones that abide by the law that are most affected.
If the accident was your fault, an uninsured driver can still claim for damages to their vehicle and personal injury – despite their offence.
If the accident was the fault of the uninsured driver, the entire cost of the claim for both parties is paid for by your insurance.
Luckily, organisations like the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) can help insured drivers claim back some of the money lost when they’ve been hit by an uninsured driver.
Does fully comprehensive insurance cover any car or vehicle you drive?
Fully comprehensive cover alone doesn’t cover you to drive any vehicle other than the one named on your policy.
However, those with fully comprehensive car insurance can opt to add ‘Driving Other Cars (DOC)’ cover to their policy. This lets them drive other roadworthy vehicles when they aren’t the named driver on the primary policy.
When don’t you need car insurance?
You don’t need to pay insurance on a car you’re not using.
If your car is declared as off the road with a V890 form – otherwise known as a Statutory Off-Road Notice (SORN) – you do not need to pay insurance premiums on that vehicle.
You can own a roadworthy car and not pay monthly or yearly premiums. However, you need to make sure that you have coverage if you’re using the car on the road.
Temporary insurance policies are the perfect solution for those looking for a cheaper and more convenient, pay-as-you-go option – as you only pay for what you need.
Don’t take the risk of driving without insurance — get quick and cheap temporary insurance today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are ‘special reasons’ for driving without insurance?
There are no exceptions for driving without insurance. No matter the reason, driving without insurance is punishable by fines, bans and even court action.
If your car or vehicle is parked on the road but you’re not driving it, does it need to be insured?
If you’re going to leave a car parked on the road, it must be insured.
As a minimum, drivers must have third-party, fire and theft protection if their car causes damage to another while left on the road.
Am I able to drive on private land in an uninsured vehicle?
Yes, you can.
If the land cannot be accessed by the public – and you own the land – you don’t need any legal documentation to drive a vehicle on private land. However, as soon as you leave that land, even if it’s just for access or exit, you must have appropriate insurance.
Can I drive an uninsured car or van with my insurance?
If you have DOC cover, you can drive a car that’s not insured by any other party.
However, without DOC cover on your car insurance, you need to take out a new policy and be the named driver of the vehicle.
What happens if I get a court summons for driving without insurance?
If you have received a court summons for driving without a licence, there’s a higher likelihood that you’ll face a penalty more than the standard £300 and the 6 points on your licence.
Can I report someone for driving without insurance?
Yes, you can. In fact, it’s recommended that you do so.
If you suspect that someone is driving without insurance – or you know that they are – you should report it to the police as soon as possible.
Should I drive to an MOT without insurance?
No, you shouldn’t.
While there are exceptions for driving with no MOT – as long as the driver can prove they have an MOT test booked and that they are driving to the garage to have the work done – there are no exemptions for driving without insurance.
There is no link between having a valid MOT test and having insurance. To be able to drive legally, you need both.
Can you test drive a car or van without insurance?
In most instances, you can test drive a vehicle without insurance.
Many reputable garages and dealerships have special insurance policies that cover those that test drive vehicles should they get into accidents.
However, if you’re looking at buying a car or van from a private seller, you’ll still need appropriate cover – even if it’s temporary insurance.
Short-term insurance without the long-term cost
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