Driving Without Insurance
Welcome to our pages for Motoring Offences. We specialise in motoring offences and can assist you at the Police Station or at Court 24/7 and at short notice.
Our dedicated Crime Team can ensure you have representation at the Police Station, Magistrates Court, Crown Court or Appeal Court depending on your requirements.
Please contact us about your motoring offence on 01536 311690 or use our online enquiry form.
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Section 143 Road Traffic Act 1988
With a growing number of drivers on the road in the UK, the chances of being involved in a traffic collision have risen dramatically.
It is an offence not to have car insurance whilst driving therefore, and the penalties can often be severe. At Seatons, our team of specialist legal experts provide friendly legal assistance on matters surrounding this area of law and offer bespoke legal advice, tailored to your circumstances, at low sensible fees. For more information, give us a call on 01536 311690.
Driving without insurance is an offence covered under Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It makes it an offence to use or permit to be used a motor vehicle on a public road when there is not a policy of insurance in force.
It is important to note that the vehicle does not have to be driven in order to be found guilty, so long as the vehicle was in ‘use’. Parked and stationary vehicles left in a public place therefore can fall within the scope of this offence. Additionally, the registered owner may also be charged if they allow a third party to drive their vehicle knowing that the vehicle is uninsured or that adequate insurance was not in place.
Due to the scope of this offence, it is vital that, if you have been charged, legal advice is sought at the earliest opportunity so that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities in law. At Seatons, we provide expert, reliable representation to our clients at low sensible fees.
Special Reasons
Driving without insurance is an absolute offence, which means that no defence can be used to prove that the offender had no knowledge as to the lack of insurance. However, there are situations where individuals are prosecuted for the offence when they honestly believed they had insurance and, in these circumstances, a defence of ‘Special Reasons’ can be made.
Examples of Special Reasons include:
• The insurance company cancelling the insurance policy without notifying the driver first.
• Where an individual honestly relies on a third party’s assurance that the insurance cover is in place.
For more information on using a defence of Special Reasons, contact us online and receive a quote.
Penalties
Upon conviction, the Court can impose a fine of up to £5000, between 6-8 penalty points and a discretionary driving ban. Upon deciding on the severity of the penalty, several factors will be taken into consideration including whether the offence was committed deliberately and the previous driving history of the offender.
For more information on driving without insurance, give us a call on 01536 311690.
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We act for clients in Kettering, Corby, across Northamptonshire as well as all over the country in England and Wales. Distance is not a problem!
Call our Kettering office on 01536 311690 or our Corby office on 01536 276300 today or contact us online.