By Clare Yates
3 min read
The plans, launched on 7 January 2026, include proposals to double fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for uninsured drivers from £300 to £600, alongside an increase in penalty points. Ministers say the measures are designed to improve road safety while also helping to ease pressure on car insurance premiums for law-abiding motorists.
In its announcement, the Department for Transport said: “The strategy sets out an ambitious plan to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035, with an even more stretching target of 70% for children under 16.”
Why the government wants tougher penalties
According to the Telegraph, ministers believe uninsured driving is contributing to both unsafe roads and higher insurance costs. The Government estimates there are around 300,000 uninsured drivers in the UK, with the cost of accidents involving those drivers often being picked up by insurers — and ultimately passed on to other motorists.
With the average annual car insurance premium now at £551, the current £300 fixed penalty fine has been criticised for being too low to act as a meaningful deterrent.
At present, most drivers caught without insurance receive a fixed penalty notice rather than being taken to court. That usually means a £300 fine and six penalty points. While harsher punishments are available in law – including disqualification and unlimited fines – these are rarely used.
By doubling the fixed penalty and increasing points, ministers want the consequences of driving uninsured to clearly outweigh the cost of buying insurance in the first place.
‘Not a victimless crime’
Local transport minister Lilian Greenwood said the new strategy would send a clear signal. Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: “Our Road Safety Strategy sends a clear message: if you drive uninsured, you will face the consequences.
“Driving without insurance is not a victimless crime – it pushes up the cost of premiums for the law-abiding majority, and when uninsured drivers are involved in crashes, innocent road users are left facing an uphill battle to get the compensation they deserve.”
The minister said the Government was taking “decisive action” to remove uninsured drivers from the roads and ensure those who break the rules are held accountable.
By making fines higher than the cost of insurance, Labour hopes fewer people will risk driving uninsured, easing pressure on premiums and improving road safety for everyone.
Industry backs tougher action
The insurance industry has also welcomed the focus on uninsured driving. Following the publication of the strategy, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said it supported stronger enforcement and tougher penalties. It argues that uninsured drivers create higher costs for honest motorists and undermine confidence in the system.
The ABI has previously called for action to deter high-risk behaviours on the roads, and said measures that reduce uninsured driving could help improve safety while easing pressure on premiums over time.