A major crackdown on uninsured driving has seen dozens of vehicles seized across Birmingham, as part of a multi-agency operation targeting illegal motorists.
Working alongside Birmingham City Council and the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), West Midlands Police focused on areas such as Washwood Heath and Hockley which are known hotspots for uninsured driving.
Acting on intelligence, officers stopped motorists and seized over 27 vehicles for offences including no valid insurance, no vehicle tax, and even arrested a disqualified driver.
This operation follows MIB data revealing parts of Birmingham are the worst affected areas for uninsured driving. Just last month, over 700 vehicles were seized across the region for no insurance.
We’ve also seen a 15% reduction in serious collisions compared to the same period in 2024, but are determined to reduce that even more.
Supt Jack Hadley, Head of our Roads Policing Unit, said: “Driving without insurance isn’t just illegal – it’s reckless and dangerous and puts lives at risk every single day.
“Every 20 minutes, someone becomes a victim of an uninsured or hit-and-run driver in the UK. That’s more than 26,000 people a year whose lives are impacted, often with devastating consequences.
“We’re urging drivers to check their insurance and tax status and to think twice before getting behind the wheel without proper cover.
“If you’re driving uninsured, you’re not just risking your car – you’re risking lives, your future, and your freedom. We will find you and we will take action.”
The financial cost is staggering too. Government figures estimate that uninsured and hit-and-run drivers cost the UK economy nearly £2.4 billion annually.
This operation, known locally as Operation Scalis, is part of an ongoing commitment to tackle uninsured driving and make the region’s roads safer.
Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport said: “When the council declared a road safety emergency we said we would support police in dealing with uninsured drivers.
“Uninsured driving is a serious problem as they are involved in a disproportionately high number of fatal road collisions. Additionally, they are frequently linked to other crimes, including drug or drink driving and excessive speeding.
“We must help protect all road users from potential harm so we need to remove dangerous and anti-social drivers from the roads and keep our roads and communities safe.
“Our officers worked alongside police colleagues on 61 operations in the last nine months, issuing notices for parking contraventions and supporting this highly visible deterrent so we can keep our communities safe.”
Penalties for driving without insurance
You could receive a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points on your licence if you are caught driving a vehicle that you are not insured to drive.
If the case goes to court, you could get an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving.
The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy a vehicle if it’s being driven without insurance.
If the vehicle is kept on public land the law requires that it’s continuously insured. If you don’t use your car, and it’s kept on private ground, you can declare it off the road to the DVLA with a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN).
