Data released by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Scrap Car Comparison has revealed that between June 2023 and June 2024, Manchester ranked top place for the city with the highest proportion of drivers caught driving without insurance.
Around the UK, a total of 13,577 drivers were penalised for driving without insurance during the 12-month period.
More than a thousand of them – 1,274 – were from Manchester, which topped the list for drivers caught per thousand residents: 3.22 drivers were caught without insurance for every thousand people who live in Manchester.
And both the second and third spots on the list were also in Greater Manchester – Oldham, with 2.62 drivers per 1,000, and Bolton, with 2.59 drivers – suggesting the North West may be a hotspot for uninsured drivers in the UK.
David Kottaun, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison, said: “Driving without insurance is a huge problem and one that deserves to be treated severely as the implications can be incredibly costly.
“Unfortunately, it’s often innocent drivers that are made to pay the price for others who are uninsured, as in the event of a crash they’d be unable to claim for any damage to their vehicle, potentially leaving them hugely out of pocket!
“Laws are there for a reason, and unfortunately whether it was an intentional rule-break or accidental, driving without insurance is both a crime and potentially very dangerous for all involved, so it’s always worth taking the time to double check policies and their dates to avoid any mishaps.”
Beyond Manchester dominating the rankings as the capital of uninsured drivers, other northern cities also feature heavily, with Doncaster, Bradford, Rotherham and Middlesborugh all ranking within the top ten – resulting in more than 70% of the cities in the top flight coming from the north of England.
In the UK it is illegal to drive a vehicle on a road or in a public place without at least third-party insurance – though many aren’t even covering themselves at the lowest level.
Many people drive uninsured unintentionally because they are unclear about their insurance policies and whether they are covered when driving another vehicle.
Within the 12-month period from June 2023 to June 2024, over 13,500 drivers in the UK received penalty points under the IN10, IN12, or IN14 endorsement codes, which pertain to driving uninsured against third-party risks, assisting or encouraging such behaviour, or permitting the use of an uninsured vehicle.
The reported 13,577 drivers caught without insurance likely represents only a fraction of the issue – highlighting a growing concern that could have significant financial repercussions for motorists involved in accidents with uninsured drivers.
Motorists caught driving without insurance or committing related offences face six to eight points on their license and a £300 fixed penalty.
Penalties can also escalate if the case goes to court and a motorist could receive an unlimited fine or a potential driving disqualification.
Scrap Car Comparison has further information on how to check if a car is insured.
