130,000 motorists caught without car insurance in 3 years

A new Freedom of Information request to UK police forces has revealed almost 131,000 motorists were caught driving without car insurance between 2021 and 2023.

The Confused.com research found that motorists paid out almost £400,000 in fines as a result.

Driving without car insurance carries fines of up to £300 and a six-point penalty on a driving licence. However, the well-publicised rise in car insurance prices means many have still chosen to take the risk.

The average cost of car insurance reached £995 at the end of 2023. That’s a rise of 58%, or £366, in just one year.

The research found that more than 4 in 10 of offences reported were committed by under-30s – a group particularly badly affected by car insurance price rises.

It’s concerning because many of them wouldn’t qualify as being able to drive another car on their comprehensive policy, due to their age.

This suggests many younger motorists may have actively driven without a policy in place.

"It’s concerning how many drivers have been caught driving without insurance in recent years," says Confused.com motoring expert Louise Thomas.

"Whether this is a deliberate decision to avoid paying for insurance, or from lack of knowing what drivers are covered for on their own policies, is unclear. With the cost of car insurance so high at the moment, it may be tempting to cancel your insurance – but this is a serious risk."

Thomas added it’s clear that there’s more need for education around ‘driving other cars’, with more than 1 in 3 being unclear whether their car insurance includes driving other cars as standard.

Surprisingly, the figures reveal the police also seized almost 166,000 vehicles – and to get them back, motorists had to pay out on top of the fine they received.

Over three years, this raised more than £16 million.

Ask HJ

Do I need to tell my insurer if I change from a named driver to the main driver?

My wife's insurance shows her as the main driver and I am shown as a named driver. Unfortunately she has a back problem that has affected her legs so she has not been driving for some time. Should I be informing the insurance company?

Yes you should always inform your insurance company of any changes so that records are up to date. If you don’t, you could risk invalidating your car insurance policy. Speak to your insurer as soon as possible so that you can correct your details as the main driver.

Answered by Louise Thomas

More Questions