Gloucestershire Constabulary supports Motor Insurer's Bureau’s Operation Drive Insured 2026

Gloucestershire Constabulary is supporting Operation Drive Insured, a national week of action to stop uninsured drivers and seize uninsured vehicles so our roads are safer and fairer.

Government figures show the economic cost of uninsured driving, including compensation for victims, emergency services, medical costs and loss of productivity, is £1 billion a year. Tackling this issue not only keeps our roads safe but reduces the financial burden on UK citizens.

New hotspot data issued by the Motor Insurer's Bureau (MIB) shows that the top uninsured driving area in Gloucestershire is the GL51 postcode of Cheltenham.

While an uninsured vehicle is seized every four minutes across the UK, with almost 800 seized by Gloucestershire Police so far this year, the new data highlights areas where the challenge remains most acute and where enforcement alongside driver education can have the greatest impact.

For many motorists, driving uninsured isn't always a deliberate choice. Insurance policies can be complex, and misunderstandings or incorrect assumptions can sometimes leave well-intentioned drivers unknowingly uninsured.

MIB is therefore encouraging drivers to review their cover and ensure their policy accurately reflects their current circumstances. 

The penalties for uninsured driving apply regardless of intent, meaning a quick check today could help avoid significant costs and disruption in the future.

Motorists caught driving uninsured face a £300 fixed penalty notice, six points on their licence and the possibility of having their vehicle seized. 

More serious cases can be referred to court, where drivers may receive an unlimited fine or be disqualified from driving. Beyond these penalties, losing access to a vehicle can affect employment, caring responsibilities and day-to-day independence.

Here are the seven most common motor insurance mistakes worth double-checking:
•    Not keeping payment details up to date or assuming auto-renewal is enabled.
•    Providing incorrect or outdated personal or vehicle information on your policy.
•    Choosing the wrong type of cover for how the vehicle is used, such as commuting or making deliveries.
•    Listing an incorrect main driver to reduce the premium, an illegal practice known as Fronting.
•    Assuming your policy includes cover to drive other vehicles.
•    Purchasing a fraudulent policy, often through social media, known as ghost broking.
•    Failing to declare vehicle modifications to your insurance provider.

To learn more about insurance mistakes and to check your insurance status, visit: https://www.mib.org.uk/drive-insured/ 

"Every uninsured vehicle on our roads represents a risk to innocent road users. Our vision is a future where no one suffers the consequences of uninsured driving.” says Angus Eaton, CEO at MIB.

"Through Operation Drive Insured, we work in partnership with police forces across the UK to identify and remove uninsured drivers, but preventing uninsured driving is about more than enforcement alone. It's about helping motorists understand their responsibilities and ensuring they have the knowledge they need to stay legally insured, so that together we can make our roads safer for everyone."