Driving Offences — Insurance & Licence
No Insurance & Licence Offence Solicitors in Chester
Charged with driving without insurance or a valid licence? Our specialist road traffic solicitors provide expert defence and special reasons applications to protect your licence and minimise penalties.
Wondering about the fine for driving without insurance, how to avoid 6 points for no insurance, or how many points you face? We advise on your options and the best strategy for your case.
Offences We Defend
Driving Without Insurance (s.143 RTA)
Using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without a valid policy of insurance in force. This is one of the most commonly prosecuted road traffic offences.
Penalty
Fixed penalty: £300 fine + 6 points. Court: Unlimited fine, 6–8 points, discretionary disqualification.
Driving Otherwise Than in Accordance with a Licence (s.87 RTA)
Driving a vehicle of a class not covered by your licence — for example, driving a car on a provisional licence without a qualified supervisor, or driving a vehicle requiring a different category of licence.
Penalty
3–6 penalty points, fine of up to £1,000.
Driving While Disqualified (s.103 RTA)
Driving while subject to a court-imposed disqualification. This is a serious offence that can result in imprisonment.
Penalty
Up to 6 months imprisonment, unlimited fine, further disqualification, 6 penalty points.
Permitting Uninsured Use
Allowing another person to drive your vehicle without insurance. The registered keeper can be prosecuted even if they were not driving at the time.
Penalty
Same as driving without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for driving without insurance?
The fixed penalty fine for driving without insurance is £300, plus 6 penalty points on your licence. If the case goes to court, the fine is unlimited and the court may impose a discretionary driving ban. The fine for driving without insurance can therefore be significantly higher if you contest the charge or if the police refer the matter to court.
How to avoid 6 points for no insurance?
The main route to avoiding 6 points for no insurance is a special reasons argument — asking the court not to endorse your licence even though you are convicted. This requires demonstrating a genuine and reasonable belief that you were insured, such as where your insurer failed to notify you of a policy cancellation. We advise on whether you have a viable special reasons argument.
How many points for no insurance?
Driving without insurance carries 6 penalty points as a fixed penalty. If the case goes to court, the court can impose 6–8 penalty points. This is significant because 6 points for no insurance may be more than the points for the original offence that led to the stop.
What is a special reasons argument for no insurance?
A special reasons argument asks the court not to endorse your licence or impose a disqualification, even though you are convicted of the offence. For no insurance, special reasons might include a genuine and reasonable belief that you were insured — for example, where your insurer failed to notify you of a policy cancellation.
Can I be prosecuted for driving without insurance if I did not know my policy had lapsed?
Yes. Driving without insurance is a strict liability offence — you do not need to know you were uninsured to be convicted. However, if you had a genuine and reasonable belief that you were insured, this may form the basis of a special reasons argument.
What happens if my car is seized for no insurance?
Police have the power to seize a vehicle being driven without insurance. You will need to produce evidence of insurance to reclaim the vehicle, and you may be charged a release fee. If the vehicle is not claimed within a set period, it may be destroyed.
Can I drive on someone else's insurance?
Some comprehensive insurance policies include a "driving other cars" extension, but this is becoming less common. You should always check your own policy and the policy of the vehicle you intend to drive before assuming you are covered.
Do you advise clients in North Wales charged with insurance or licence offences?
Yes. We regularly advise clients across North Wales — including Wrexham, Flintshire, Deeside, Denbighshire, Conwy and Anglesey. We can advise remotely by phone or video call, or you can visit our Chester office which is easily accessible from North Wales via the A55 and A483.
What is the fixed fee for no insurance or licence offence defence?
Our fixed fee for driving without insurance or licence offences starts from £720 including VAT for Magistrates Court representation. This covers your initial consultation, review of prosecution evidence, advice on plea and likely outcome, and representation at the Magistrates Court hearing. The exact fee is confirmed in writing before you instruct us.
Transparent Pricing
Fixed Fees for Insurance & Licence Offence Defence
We publish our fees upfront. Fixed fees are confirmed in writing before you instruct us. All fees include VAT at 20%.
| Service | Fixed Fee (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Driving without insurance (s.143 RTA) — Magistrates Court | From £720 |
| Driving otherwise than in accordance with licence (s.87 RTA) | From £720 |
| Special reasons hearing (no endorsement application) | From £600 |
| Exceptional hardship argument (if totting up) | From £1,020 |
Our Team
Speak to a Member of Our Team
Ritesh Chauhan
Consultant Road Traffic Offences Solicitor
Ritesh qualified as a solicitor in 2020 and has since built a focused practice in road traffic law. He advises and represents clients facing insurance and licence offences — including driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, and special reasons applications — working to achieve the best possible outcome in every case.
Charged with an Insurance or Licence Offence?
Contact our road traffic solicitors in Chester today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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