The Labour government is set to introduce a major crackdown on uninsured driving, with ministers admitting that punishments for the offence have remained stagnant for years despite parliamentary pressure for tougher rules.
Current Penalties Are "Not Enough of a Deterrent"
At present, motorists caught driving without valid insurance face a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points on their licence. This level of fine has not been updated for over a decade, a fact now acknowledged by ministers.
Bracknell MP Peter Swallow has brought forward a 10-minute Rule Bill in Parliament demanding stricter sanctions. He argues that uninsured drivers endanger lives and unfairly burden law-abiding motorists when accidents occur.
New Measures Target AI-Faked Documents
The proposed legislation includes specific measures to combat the use of artificial intelligence to create counterfeit insurance documents. Mr Swallow stated that tougher sanctions are needed to deter offenders and dismantle the underground industries producing fake paperwork.
"It is costly, harmful and needs to be stopped," said Swallow. "Tougher sanctions will deter low-level criminals from thinking they can get away with driving without insurance, and halt underground industries in faked insurance documentation."
Public Backing and Industry Support for Change
The bill forms part of Swallow's wider Road Safety Campaign, which included public surveys across Bracknell Forest in the summer of 2025. The findings, compiled into a Road Safety Report, have been presented to ministers, the police and crime commissioner, and the local council.
"This Summer I heard from 1000s of Bracknell Forest Residents about how they would act to make our roads safer - and clamping down on uninsured drivers was a big concern," Swallow explained.
The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) has strongly backed the call for increased fines. Angus Eaton, CEO of the MIB, highlighted that the current £300 penalty is insufficient. The MIB's "Accelerating to Zero" campaign commits to ending uninsured driving and proposes that fines should be doubled to match the average insurance premium.
"We believe that in five years' time we will be able to look back and be proud that we're much closer to ending uninsured driving," Eaton stated, describing the plan as ambitious but necessary.
The proposed changes signal a significant shift in how the government and industry aim to tackle a persistent problem that costs millions and compromises safety on UK roads.
