Uninsured Cars to Be Clamped

DRIVERS who fail to renew their car insurance could be fined Pounds 100 even if they have stopped using their car.

Under a new law, those who refuse to pay the fine will have their car clamped or removed from their driveway and impounded.

Motorists will then be forced to pay the fine, pay a release fee and buy new insurance before they can get their car back.

The fines, aimed at cutting the number of uninsured drivers from 1.5million, could be handed out even if the cars are parked on private driveways.

Under the new offence of keeping a new vehicle while uninsured, the onus will be on motorists to prove they have insurance or have completed an off-road form for their car.

The law is part of the Government's Road Safety Bill, which was given Royal Assent last November. It has yet to be decided exactly how the penalty system will work.

Details of the Act are expected to be scrutinised by Ministers in April before the scheme is launched next year.

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