Uninsured driver hotspots revealed

The worst areas for uninsured drivers in Northern Ireland have been revealed, with male motorists responsible for 8 out of every 10 offences.

Data obtained by CompareNI.com has uncovered the most prolific areas for insurance offences over the past year, with a total of 5,735 detected – more than any other type of motoring crime.

Police recently seized dozens of vehicles during a week-long blitz on uninsured drivers. The operation, which saw the PSNI work alongside the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), led to 58 motorists being handed £200 fines and six penalty points for driving without insurance.*

Figures show male drivers are committing more than five times the number of insurance offences as female drivers, with 4806 men detected compared to 920 women – meaning men accounted for 84% of all insurance offences carried out here between 1st September 2024 – 31st August 2025.

This trend was also reflected across NI’s policing districts, with the 11 regions having an average of 83% of all insurance offences carried out by men.

The highest percentage of male to female offences was in Mid Ulster with 87%, followed by Fermanagh and Omagh with 86%, while Antrim and Newtownabbey had the lowest at 79%.

The figures, acquired through a Freedom of Information request to the PSNI, show that drivers in Belfast City were the worst culprits, with 1,531 offences – which equates to 434 offences per 100,000 people.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council had the second highest rate of uninsured drivers at 344 per 100,000 people, while Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon took third spot with 281.

At the other end of the scale, Causeway Coast and Glens had the lowest rate offenders at 158, followed closely by Ards and North Down with 161.

Motorists convicted of driving without insurance receive an IN10 endorsement on their licence, which will likely lead to higher insurance premiums in future.

While the latest quarterly statistics show that average car insurance premiums fell across the board in all parts of the UK, Northern Ireland saw one of the smallest decreases, with overall prices dropping by 6% to £557 on average – pushing the region up to 6th place in the league table for most expensive car insurance.**

Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “In recent years, driving without insurance has overtaken speeding as the most committed motoring offence in Northern Ireland.

“Not everyone intends to drive uninsured, life can be busy and paperwork can slip our minds. However, the consequences will be the same regardless of intention, so a quick admin check could help drivers avoid a hefty fine and unnecessary penalty points.

“Points on a driving licence will most likely push up insurance costs, with six points potentially raising premiums by an average of 25%.*** Drivers who have criminal convictions may also struggle to find an insurer to cover them, as they may need specialist insurance and it will probably be more expensive than average.

“Fortunately, there are some simple steps motorists can take to help save money on car insurance. By avoiding auto-renewal, paying upfront and reviewing when the policy is purchased, drivers could reduce costs and find a more competitive price.”

CompareNI tips to help drivers reduce insurance costs:

1. Timing is crucial: Typically, the closer you get to your renewal date, the more expensive your premium is likely to be. Normally 15-24 days before your policy is due for renewal is when the prices are most competitive – drivers could save between 33-45% during this period.
2. Pay annually if possible: Monthly payments come with an interest charge, so paying in one lump sum (if possible) will normally help you avoid these higher overall costs.
3. Always shop around: Never allow a policy to auto-renew without shopping around first, always compare products and prices and be prepared to negotiate.

CompareNI.com helps hundreds of thousands of drivers every year find savings on essentials such as car insurance. 

References:

*https://www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/58-uninsured-vehicles-seized-during-week-long-campaign

**https://www.compareni.com/press/ni-second-most-expensive-for-young-drivers

***https://www.quotezone.co.uk/car-insurance/guides/how-much-three-penalty-points-cost-insurance

Uninsured motoring offences between 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025 (male/female split)

Insurance offences weighted by Policing District