One in every 100 people in the UK with a full driving licence has points for driving uninsured, according to a “shocking” Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the IAM (5125 Institute of Advanced Motorists).
For all ages the request, directed to the DVLA, revealed that one in every 200 people with a full UK driving licence had been penalised for driving without insurance.
A total of 226,803 drivers in the UK were said under FOI to have points on their licence for driving while uninsured.
Figures also show that in both full and provisional licence categories and all age groups it is men who are far more likely to be caught driving without insurance. In the 17-24 age category, men are four times more likely to have points on their licence for this offence than women.
Other findings revealed that people in the 25-35 age category are most likely to drive uninsured (81,003 with points). Meanwhile, drivers over 65 were least likely to have points on their licence for driving without insurance (0.06%, or 3,867 people).
Commenting on the details of the granted FOI request, IAM chief executive Simon Best said, “These findings are shocking. Those 200,000 individuals who drive whilst uninsured place the burden back on those who abide by the law through higher premiums and potentially the cost of vehicle repair.
“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. It is not acceptable that drivers pay up to £70 (€81) in higher premiums to compensate for those who ignore the law.”
As well as six points and a fine for driving uninsured, an 18-year-old with a €1,100 (£950) premium could expect to see this increase to €2,541 (£2,195). For a thirty year-old it would increase from €264 (£228) to €5,351 (£4,621).
Peter Harrison, car insurance expert at MoneySupermarket, said, “It’s astonishing how many drivers are still prepared to hit the road without insurance. Not only is it illegal but you could face thousands of pounds in liability, a conviction, six points on your licence and a hefty fine should you be caught out or be involved in a crash. To make matters worse, uninsured drivers cost the insurance industry €579.03 million (£500 million) each year. Furthermore, insurance fraud adds £39 (€45.16) to the cost of every motor premium and uninsured driving an extra £30 (€34.74) – this is not fair on law-abiding motorists.”
For all ages the request, directed to the DVLA, revealed that one in every 200 people with a full UK driving licence had been penalised for driving without insurance.
A total of 226,803 drivers in the UK were said under FOI to have points on their licence for driving while uninsured.
Figures also show that in both full and provisional licence categories and all age groups it is men who are far more likely to be caught driving without insurance. In the 17-24 age category, men are four times more likely to have points on their licence for this offence than women.
Other findings revealed that people in the 25-35 age category are most likely to drive uninsured (81,003 with points). Meanwhile, drivers over 65 were least likely to have points on their licence for driving without insurance (0.06%, or 3,867 people).
Commenting on the details of the granted FOI request, IAM chief executive Simon Best said, “These findings are shocking. Those 200,000 individuals who drive whilst uninsured place the burden back on those who abide by the law through higher premiums and potentially the cost of vehicle repair.
“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. It is not acceptable that drivers pay up to £70 (€81) in higher premiums to compensate for those who ignore the law.”
As well as six points and a fine for driving uninsured, an 18-year-old with a €1,100 (£950) premium could expect to see this increase to €2,541 (£2,195). For a thirty year-old it would increase from €264 (£228) to €5,351 (£4,621).
Peter Harrison, car insurance expert at MoneySupermarket, said, “It’s astonishing how many drivers are still prepared to hit the road without insurance. Not only is it illegal but you could face thousands of pounds in liability, a conviction, six points on your licence and a hefty fine should you be caught out or be involved in a crash. To make matters worse, uninsured drivers cost the insurance industry €579.03 million (£500 million) each year. Furthermore, insurance fraud adds £39 (€45.16) to the cost of every motor premium and uninsured driving an extra £30 (€34.74) – this is not fair on law-abiding motorists.”
