Legal Advice: Driving Without Insurance
If you have been caught driving without insurance, our expert motoring offence solicitors at JMW are here to help. We are hugely experienced in helping people in your position and we will provide expert guidance to ensure you are in the best possible position to get the outcome you are after.
To find out more about how we can help you today, simply call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form and we will contact you as soon as we can.
On this page
- What our clients say
- How JMW can help
- Meet our team
- Case studies
- About driving without insurance
- What happens if you are caught driving wihtout insurance?
- Will I go to court for being caught driving without insurance?
- Why is it essential to have a valid insurance policy?
- What is the penalty for driving without insurance?
- Why have I been accused of driving without car insurance?
- How long do insurance offences take to resolve?
- Why should you seek the assistance of a motoring offences solicitor?
- FAQs about driving without insurance solicitors
What our clients say
How JMW Can Help
If you have been accused of driving without insurance or allowing someone to drive your vehicle without insurance, you will need the help of our specialist team of motoring solicitors to help you defend allegations of driving without insurance, or limit the damage of any penalty imposed by the court.
Our dedicated motoring offence solicitors understand that a driving offence can be devastating to your career and daily life, and are backed up with numerous awards and accolades.
At JMW, we have many years of experience providing invaluable legal advice to our clients, giving them the assistance they need in order to secure the best possible outcome. We will support you throughout your case, keeping you updated throughout.
We have a range of options that vary in affordability, and we pride ourselves on maintaining quality throughout. See our Fixed Fee Driving Offences page to view full, detailed information on costing.
Meet our team of motoring offences solicitors
Our specialist motoring offence solicitors have helped many clients to successfully avoid a driving ban or criminal conviction when they were accused of driving without insurance.
Case studies
CHARGES WITHDRAWN AND NO ACTIVATION OF SUSPENDED SENTENCE
Hojol Uddin and Elisha Kaur successfully represented an individual who was at risk of an immediate custodial following charges of driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and obstructing a police officer.
DRUG DRIVING AND NO INSURANCE - IMMEDIATE CUSTODIAL SENTENCE AVOIDED
Hojol Uddin and Elisha Kaur successfully represented an individual who was at risk of a potential immediate custodial sentence and also an approximate disqualification of three years following charges of drug driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.
About Driving Without Insurance
Driving without insurance is a very serious offence, which can lead to financial penalties running to thousands of pounds, as well as a disqualification from driving or penalty points on your driving licence.
Any person driving a vehicle is required to have at least third party insurance in place to drive that particular vehicle. A driver should also be careful to ensure that the insurance provides cover for the correct type of use.
Most people secure their insurance via a broker over the telephone or on the internet. Insurance secured in this manner is often thought of as being 'instant'. Technically speaking, it is an offence to drive your vehicle prior to receiving a copy of the actual insurance certificate, although in practice most insurers send a copy of the insurance certificate via email as soon as the policy is taken out.
Driving without insurance is deemed an absolute offence and means there is no excuse. However, if you are found to be driving without insurance, you should speak to the expert solicitors at JMW to find out more about your options and what you should do next.
You also have to be very vigilant when allowing someone else to drive your vehicle. It is your responsibility to ensure that they have a valid policy of insurance that would allow them to drive your vehicle.
If you are convicted of causing or permitting someone to drive your vehicle without insurance, you will face the same penalty as though you had driven without insurance yourself.
What Happens if You Are Caught Driving Without Insurance?
When you are stopped by the police and found to be driving without valid insurance, several outcomes can ensue. Initially, the officer has the discretion to give you a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). However, the matter can be escalated to court, especially in situations where it is not the first offence, or if there are other aggravating factors. In court, the fines can increase substantially and can reach an unlimited amount, and you can be disqualified from driving.
In addition to these potential penalties, your vehicle may be seized and even destroyed if it is not insured promptly.
If you find yourself in this situation, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a motoring offences solicitor to understand your rights and the best course of action as soon as possible.
Will I Go to Court for Being Caught Driving Without Insurance?
Whether you are taken to court for driving without insurance largely depends on the circumstances surrounding your case. Generally, if it is your first offence, you may be issued an FPN. However, if there are other complicating factors such as repeated offences, an accident while uninsured, or a refusal to accept the FPN, you may be summoned to court.
If you are found guilty in court, the penalties can be more severe and include a fine of up to an unlimited amount, disqualification from driving, and potentially the seizure and destruction of your vehicle. In such circumstances, securing the services of a motoring offences solicitor is recommended to ensure you are appropriately advised and represented.
Why is it Essential to Have a Valid Insurance Policy?
Most people secure their insurance via a broker over the telephone or on the internet. Insurance secured in this manner is often thought of as being 'instant'. Technically speaking, it is an offence to drive your vehicle prior to receiving a copy of the actual insurance certificate, although in practice most insurers send a copy of the insurance certificate via email as soon as the policy is taken out.
Please note, if you have a registered driving offence, it may be more difficult or expensive to insure your vehicle in future.
What is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance?
The police and courts take driving without insurance extremely seriously and routinely stop vehicles to check whether motorists have valid certificates. Approximately 300,000 convictions are recorded for this offence every year.
Potential penalties for driving without insurance are:
- Maximum fine of £5,000
- Fixed penalty of £200 and between six and eight points on your licence
- Disqualification
- Seizure and destruction of the uninsured vehicle
However, more severe punishments are given to those who are involved in accidents or kill or injure another member of the public.
Why Have I Been Accused of Driving Without Car Insurance?
Any person driving a vehicle is required to have at least third-party insurance in place to drive that particular vehicle. A driver should also be careful to ensure that the insurance provides the correct type of cover for their intended vehicle use.
You also have to be very vigilant when allowing someone else to drive your vehicle. It is your responsibility to ensure that they have a valid policy of insurance that would allow them to drive your vehicle. If you are convicted of causing or permitting someone to drive your vehicle without insurance, you will face the same penalty as though you had driven without insurance yourself.
How Long Do Insurance Offences Take to Resolve?
It may take up to seven or eight months for your case to be heard in court. Solicitors are not provided by law, so you must source one yourself. Our award-winning driving offence solicitors are eager to help, and strive to make the process as smooth as possible. Simply give us a call, or visit our Fixed Fee Driving Offences page to view a comprehensive breakdown of our options.
Why Should You Seek the Assistance of a Motoring Offences Solicitor?
You should not attempt to defend against a motoring offence without the help of a professional solicitor. The legal process is highly complex and comes with many pitfalls that only those with the proper experience and skills can understand how to navigate.
Moreover, a motoring law specialist possesses the legal knowledge and expertise to comprehensively understand the nuances and complexities of motoring law, particularly the implications of driving without insurance. The experts at JMW can offer informed advice and develop the best possible defence strategy in your case.
Secondly, they can liaise with the police and court on your behalf, which can significantly reduce your stress levels. Solicitors can also help you to navigate through the court process, ensuring that you understand your rights and that these are being upheld.
Thirdly, a motoring offences solicitor may be able to help you to avoid a driving ban, and in certain circumstances, they may be able to help you minimise any fines or penalties that could be imposed by making sure that any arguments or representations are put forth in the best possible manner to support your case.
FAQs About Driving Without Insurance Solicitors
- What is the IN10 endorsement?
An IN10 endorsement is a code that is added to your driving licence if you are convicted of driving without insurance. This endorsement comes with a penalty of six to eight points that stay on your licence for four years with the DVLA from the date of the offence.
An IN10 endorsement can have serious implications. It can dramatically increase your insurance premiums, as insurers will view you as a higher risk, which remains disclosable to them up to five years, or longer for some insurers. It can also affect your ability to hire cars and future job opportunities, particularly those involving driving. Furthermore, if you accumulate 12 points within a three-year period, you may face disqualification from driving.
If you are facing an IN10 endorsement, seeking advice from a motoring offences solicitor could help mitigate the consequences, and they can guide you through the possible ways to challenge or handle it.
- What is the maximum fine for driving without insurance?
The maximum fine for driving without insurance in the UK can be unlimited if the case is taken to court. Typically, the maximum fine the court gives to those who are not properly insured is unlimited, but this is only in especially severe cases. You have a higher chance of getting a higher fine if you attempt to dispute your charge and are not successful.
- How many points for driving without insurance?
If you are caught driving without insurance, you will typically receive a minimum of six penalty points on your driving licence. However, if your case goes to court, this could potentially rise to eight penalty points. These points remain on your licence for four years from the date of the offence by the DVLA.
Talk to Us
Get in touch with our expert motoring law solicitors to find out more about how we can assist if you have been found driving without insurance. We will talk you through your options and help you decide on the best course of action to take. Call us on 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form and we will call you back at a convenient time.