Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to help reduce the impact of uninsured drivers on car insurance premiums.

The Government takes uninsured driving seriously. Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) has enabled action to be taken against those who keep a vehicle without insurance. The scheme allows uninsured vehicles to be identified from a comparison of the DVLA’s vehicle register and the Motor Insurance Database of insurance policies managed by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. Under CIE keepers of vehicles which appear to be uninsured are sent reminder letters. Those who take no action receive a fixed penalty of £100, followed by enforcement action including prosecution. CIE supplements enforcement action taken by the police on the road.

Since 2005 the police have had the power to seize vehicles that are being driven without insurance. In addition to a £300 fixed penalty and 6 penalty points on their licence for the offence, those whose vehicles have been seized face a cost to recover the vehicle and must provide proof that it has been insured. Seized vehicles that are not claimed within 14 days can be sold or crushed.