RAC warns drivers face 'unlimited fine' and ban if they fail to do one thing

Drivers have been warned that failing to do one thing could see them hit with an "unlimited" fine. Not insuring your vehicle could also result in a ban from driving.

Car insurance provides financial protection against costs from an accident, such as damage to other vehicles, property, or personal injuries. It also offers cover for your own car in cases of fire, theft, or damage.

Not only this but in the UK it is a legal requirement. On the RAC website it warned: "If you drive a vehicle without insurance on a public road, you risk it triggering a police ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) camera and being hit with a roadside penalty of £300 and six penalty points on your licence.

"Police also have the powers to seize an uninsured vehicle.

"Be careful, as the same punishments apply for any car you're driving without the appropriate insurance - even if it's insured in someone else's name."

The punishment could be even more severed if it is taken to court. "If the case goes to court, you could be hit with an unlimited fine and a driving ban," the RAC added.

This warning is backed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). On the GOV.UK website it said: "You must have motor insurance to drive your vehicle on UK roads."

There are different levels of insurance you can get, with third party being the lowest level you need.

The DVLA continued: "Third party insurance is the legal minimum. This means you're covered if you have an accident causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property. It does not cover any other costs like repair to your own vehicle.

"It's illegal to drive a vehicle on a road or in a public place without at least third party insurance. Even if the vehicle itself is insured, if you're not correctly insured to drive it you could get penalised."

The DVLA clarified that the police could give you a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points if you're caught driving a vehicle you're not insured to drive.

If the case goes to court you could get:

• An unlimited fine
• Disqualified from driving

The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that's being driven uninsured.

Exceptions

You do not need to insure your vehicle if it is kept off the road and declared as off the road (SORN). This rule is called "continuous insurance enforcement".

The DVLA added: "If a vehicle is between registered keepers or registered as 'in trade' with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), it is excluded from continuous insurance enforcement. Vehicles you keep for your own use are not excluded."

For more information, visit the Government website here.