Uninsured drivers under the spotlight

Police forces across Scotland have taken part in three days of action, coordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, to target those who drive without suitable insurance.

The seriousness of the offence is reflected in the level of the maximum fine of £5000, and the automatic endorsement of an offender’s licence with six to eight penalty points. The courts can also order the immediate disqualification of the offender.

Driving without insurance will result in the driver being issued with a £200 endorsable conditional offer of fixed penalty and six penalty points on their licence. The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that is being driven uninsured. Any vehicle seized under these powers will only be released on payment of the fixed penalty and presentation of a valid insurance certificate.

It is also an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than drive without insurance. Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) requires the Registered Keeper of a vehicle to insure a vehicle at all times unless the vehicle has a valid Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN).  The DVLA is responsible for enforcing this new process which involves records being continually compared with the Motor Insurance Database to identify those vehicles which are being kept without insurance.

A contravention of the CIE regulation can result in an initial fine of £100, if the vehicle remains uninsured, whether or not the fine is paid, can result in further action including clamping and removing the vehicle. Offenders may also be taken to court where a fine of £1000 can be levied.