Registered keepers of uninsured cars could be fined £1,000
Owners of uninsured cars could be charged up to £1,000 under new government proposals released today.
The new fine will affect all registered keepers of uninsured vehicles, not the current law which only punishes those caught driving one. What do you think of the change?
When an insurance policy has ended, a letter will be sent to the owner as a reminder.
If no action is taken after a month, the DVLA will issue a £100 fine (this can be reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days).
If the fine is ignored, the owner could be sentenced in court and hit with a higher £1,000 penalty.
Drivers who leave an uninsured car parked in the street could have it clamped or impounded.
To avoid a fine, the owner can declare Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) – but only if the car won’t be used or parked on a public road.
Motorists caught driving uninsured cars still face a maximum £5,000 fine and up to eight penalty points under current law.
What do you think of the new £1,000 fine for uninsured drivers? Have your say in the comments box below.
Dominic Sacco
Auto Trader Blog RSS Feed
9 Comments
September 16, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Excellent idea
September 22, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Good idea, Hoprfully the cost will come down if more trainng is offered. outherwise hit them for six.
September 21, 2009 at 9:05 pm
i thought that is what tax was for, so what if you have 2 cars and u only want to use 1 but have no garage, u can only use no claims on 1 car.. this is just government trying to take more money from us!
September 22, 2009 at 11:18 am
The issue of driving cars without “accessories” (insurance/tax/mot) would be helped if it becomes a serious offence to use a vehicle if it is not registered to its new owner on resale.
If the seller ends his responsibility by informing DVLA, and the new owner must obtain all the above requirements to register and use the vehicle, it would close many loopholes.
September 22, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Just £1,000 ? I think thats too low. Too many people will still take the risk. Make it £5,000!
September 23, 2009 at 1:24 am
They should be forced to pay a fine plus extra such as:
Cost of all hit and run damage in UK + admin costs + apportioned policing costs divided by number of uninsured drivers caught in UK.
That would be fairer. And probably deter most.
September 23, 2009 at 7:36 am
It’s not £1000, is it? It’s £50. Compared to hundreds or even thousands of pounds for insurance for a young person. And in any case the only change is that cars now have to be insured whether they’re being used or not (if not SORNed). Who writes this rubbish?
September 23, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Hi Dodge,
Thanks for your response. As stated in the article, the fine is initially £100, which can be reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days.
If the fine is ignored, the owner could be sentenced in court and hit with a higher £1,000 penalty. This law is due to come into place within 18 months.
December 6, 2009 at 11:52 am
Seems to low a fine even at £1000