Uninsured driver fines set to double under new road safety plan

The government plans to raise fixed penalties for driving without insurance from £300 to about £600—above the average premium of £551—and will set out the proposal in a forthcoming Road Safety Strategy that also considers other motoring measures.

The government is proposing higher penalties for people caught driving without insurance, with fixed penalty notices potentially rising from £300 to about £600. Ministers say current penalties do not reflect the seriousness of driving without insurance and are not enough of a deterrent. The Motor Insurers' Bureau estimates about 300,000 uninsured drivers use Britain's roads every day. The proposed changes are due to feature in a forthcoming Road Safety Strategy and a wider consultation on motoring offences. Key facts: - Fixed penalty notices for uninsured driving are currently £300 with six penalty points when accepted; court convictions can result in unlimited fines, six to eight points and possible disqualification. - The government wants on-the-spot fines to exceed the average insurance premium (£551), which could see the upfront fine rise to about £600. - Local transport ministers have said driving without insurance increases costs for other drivers and leaves victims facing difficulty obtaining compensation. - The Road Safety Strategy, expected this week, will also consider measures such as rules on headlight glare, mandatory eye checks for older drivers, lower drink-drive limits and roadside drug testing. Summary: Raising fixed penalties is intended to make on-the-spot fines exceed average insurance costs and form part of a broader effort to address road risks. The Road Safety Strategy and the accompanying consultation will set out the government's next steps and which proposals will be taken forward.