Mid and East Antrim among UK areas with highest uninsured vehicle rates as police launch crackdown

Monday 09 November 2026

Mid and East Antrim is among the UK’s top 20 areas for the highest percentage of uninsured vehicles, according to Motor Insurers’ Bureau data cited by police as a week-long enforcement campaign begins.

Operation Drive Insured runs across Northern Ireland from today, Monday 9 November, until Sunday 15 November, with officers checking that drivers have appropriate cover for their vehicles and how they use them.

Police have seized 2,246 uninsured vehicles across Northern Ireland between 1 January and 31 October this year. The figures are provisional and subject to change.

Insurance assumptions can leave drivers without cover

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Head of Road Policing Unit, Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson, warned that some drivers wrongly assume their insurance will renew automatically or that comprehensive cover allows them to drive other vehicles.

“Some drivers detected have assumed their insurance will auto renew, or that their comprehensive insurance policy covers driving other vehicles. Other drivers have been detected using their vehicle for business or reward purposes, some have ‘simply forgotten’ to renew policies, so it is critically important that all drivers check they have the appropriate insurance cover in place before they take to the road,” says Chief Inspector Simpson.

“Drivers should also take the time to read any correspondence from their insurance company and never make assumptions when it comes to vehicle insurance.”

Local area highlighted as enforcement begins

Mid Ulster and Belfast are also among the UK’s top 20 areas for the highest percentage of uninsured vehicles, according to the MIB data cited by the PSNI.

Roads Policing Teams will carry out the operations with support from officers across policing districts. The national initiative was developed by the National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence and Investigations committee in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

“During last year’s week-long campaign, 58 uninsured vehicles were seized across Northern Ireland,” says Chief Inspector Simpson.

“All drivers need to make sure they are properly insured to drive on the roads and, while this week we will be working to remove uninsured vehicles from the road, it will also be about educating drivers on what can be innocent mistakes they may be making, not realising they aren’t insured properly,” says Chief Inspector Simpson.

Vehicle seizure, fines and penalty points

The PSNI says a vehicle stopped on a road or in a public place without a valid insurance policy can be seized. Its advice sets out the potential consequences:

• A seized vehicle will not be released until a valid insurance policy is produced and a release fee is paid, including recovery and storage charges.

• After 14 days, the vehicle will be disposed of to recover the costs of recovery.

• A roadside fixed penalty carries a £200 fine and six penalty points.

• At a Magistrates’ Court, the offence can carry six to eight penalty points, with the option of a discretionary disqualification and an unlimited fine.

For drivers, the immediate message is to check the wording of their policy before travelling, including whether it covers driving another vehicle or using their own vehicle for business or reward.

“The law regarding vehicle insurance is clear - before you drive a vehicle, it is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate insurance cover in place.”