Driving Without Insurance Solicitor
Driving without insurance is a straightforward offence that carries significant penalties.
In the UK, driving on a road or public place without at least third-party insurance is illegal. It doesn’t matter if you were unaware that your insurance had expired. This is because driving without insurance is considered an ‘absolute offence’. However, there are defences available, and our Road Traffic Offence Solicitors have extensive experience in building and presenting these cases in court.
We are a diverse, multi-lingual law firm using the latest technology to provide clients with efficient, modern, and highly effective motoring law advice and representation. With years of experience in road traffic and criminal law, we have built strong relationships with some of the UK’s top Barristers and King’s Counsel. Our clients also benefit from our ability to instruct the country’s most respected expert witnesses to provide the Court with the necessary facts to support a not guilty plea or mitigate a sentence.
Here are some common questions we receive about driving without insurance.
People choose and recommend us not just in Nuneaton, Tamworth, Hinckley, Bedworth, and Leicester, but across the Midlands and the entire UK.
I let someone else drive my uninsured car – am I guilty of an offence?
Under Section 143(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act (RTA) 1988, it is an offence to cause or permit someone else to use an uninsured vehicle on a road or public place. This is an absolute offence, meaning that even mistakenly believing your vehicle was insured will not prevent a conviction.
What are the penalties for driving without insurance?
If caught driving without insurance, you could face severe consequences, including:
- A fine of up to £5,000;
- Six to eight penalty points on your licence;
- A potential driving disqualification.
What defences are available if I am caught driving without insurance?
Section 143(3) of the RTA 1988 provides a defence if you can prove that:
- The vehicle did not belong to you and was not in your possession under a contract of hiring or loan,
- You were using the vehicle during your employment, and
- You neither knew nor had reason to believe that the vehicle was not insured.
A defence is also available if you can produce valid insurance within seven days of being stopped. A separate charge of failing to produce a certificate may be dropped if you can show that you had insurance at the time of the alleged offence.
To be guilty of driving without insurance, you must be driving on a road or in a public place. This can be a technical argument, but our experienced Solicitors can use their knowledge and resources to ascertain the nature of the place where you were stopped.
As driving without insurance is an absolute offence, the burden of proof is reversed, meaning you are guilty until proven innocent. This can be intimidating, but we will take responsibility for ensuring your defence is argued persuasively, aiming to get the charges dropped.
What if my insurance company claims my policy has lapsed or is invalid?
Insurance companies often automate their renewal procedures, which can lead to mistaken cancellations. Not updating your details, such as a change of address, can also result in your insurer stating that your cover is not valid. These situations are becoming more common, but we have the expertise to investigate your insurer’s claims and present any procedural errors to the Court in your defence.
Why Choose Us?
Our Solicitors regularly defend clients facing motoring allegations at the police station and in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. We also assist with appeals against disqualification and applications for early reinstatement of your licence.
Regardless of the charges against you, you are entitled to a defence. We do not judge our clients; our sole objective is to defend you against the Prosecution’s allegations. By instructing us, you can be confident that your chances of acquittal or a reduced sentence are greatly improved. It is crucial to contact us as soon as you are stopped by the police for driving without insurance.
To receive expert advice and representation if you have been charged with driving without insurance, please contact us using the form below.
Cocks Lloyd Solicitors provides exceptional Driving Without Insurance Solicitor and Motoring Offences services to clients. People choose and recommend us not just in Nuneaton, Tamworth, Atherstone, Hinckley and Leicester, but across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands, and the whole of the UK, because we get results.
To receive expert advice and representation regarding Driving Without Insurance Solicitor and Motoring Offences, please contact us using the form below, call us on (0247) 6641642, email via the Request a Callback form on this contact page.