The number of provisional licence-holding drivers caught without insurance rose by 16 percent in 2020.
More than 14,000 drivers were stopped behind the wheel without insurance: a notable increase compared with figures from 2018.
This worrying new data was revealed by RAC Insurance, following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Unlicensed and uninsured
Information supplied by the DVLA showed those with provisional licences made up 14 percent of the 105,461 uninsured drivers stopped by police.
Some 15 percent of drivers without insurance were found not to hold any kind of licence at all. The data revealed that 23 drivers were aged just 13 years old, with 121 14-year-olds and 215 15-year-olds also caught.
At the other end of the scale, the oldest uninsured non-licence holders were 70.
The majority of uninsured drivers were at least full licence holders, making up 38 percent of the total. A further 31 percent had expired licences, whilst two percent were non-UK licence holders.
Effects of the pandemic
Despite the substantial amount of people caught, 2020 saw a six percent decrease overall in the number of uninsured drivers. However, as the RAC notes, this can likely be attributed to the pandemic.
RAC Insurance spokesman Simon Williams said: “The fact the number of provisional drivers caught without insurance increased in 2020 may well be a symptom of the onslaught of the pandemic and the impact it had on learning to drive and people’s finances. The shortage of available driving tests due to Covid is also likely to be a significant factor behind the high numbers.
“It’s also the case that younger drivers, who are more likely to have provisional licences, pay a disproportionate amount of tax when they buy car insurance, which makes their already expensive policies even harder to afford. Insurance Premium Tax at the current rate of 12 percent adds a huge £120 to a young driver’s £1,000 annual policy, which may be further reason why so many decide to run the gauntlet of driving with no insurance.”
ALSO READ:
World Car Awards reveals 2022 finalists
