Forgetful drivers could be fined for simple errors

Motorists across the UK are being urged to stay on top of routine car admin, as missing simple renewal deadlines could cost them up to £3,380 in fines, lead to higher insurance premiums and even invalidate their insurance altogether. 

Car insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk are warning drivers to keep on top of key motoring documents, warning that a missed renewal could have serious financial and legal consequences for millions of drivers across the country.

Renewal dates for car insurance, MOTs, vehicle tax and driving licences often fall at different times, making it easy for drivers to lose track. And updating a vehicle handbook after a change of name or address can easily be forgotten. 

Yet missing a deadline can trigger fines of £80 for untaxed vehicles, a minimum of £300 for driving without insurance, and up to £1,000 for expired MOTs or licences. 

And beyond being hit by a fine, some offences can result in penalty points and higher insurance premiums in the future – with motorists convicted of driving without insurance receiving an IN10 endorsement on their licence.

In the UK, it’s estimated that there are around 300,000 uninsured vehicles on the roads every day, while recent statistics found that there were 498,000 untaxed registered vehicles across the country.*

These figures highlight just how many drivers could be caught out by simple oversights when it comes to key motoring documents. 

Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “It’s surprisingly easy for drivers to let important documents lapse, especially when renewal dates don’t normally fall at the same time.

“Most people also have auto-renewal turned off for key documents like their insurance so they can shop around for better deals when the time comes.

“Although life can sometimes get in the way, staying organised, setting reminders, and keeping on top of paperwork is key to avoiding unnecessary fines or penalty points – and ensuring the insurance stays valid.”

Five common car admin mistakes that could cost you:

1.Forgetting to renew car insurance

Driving without valid insurance is a serious offence, risking a minimum fine of £300, six points on your licence and an IN10 conviction, which stays on your driving record for 4 years. It also leaves you unprotected financially, should you have an incident on the road. Having an IN10 conviction means you may also need specialist insurance for convicted drivers, and it’ll likely be more expensive than average.**

2.Forgetting to renew MOT certificate 

If your MOT has expired and you are caught driving or parking your vehicle on the road, you could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. Generally, a vehicle needs an MOT every year once it reaches 3 years old, failure to obtain a valid MOT also means your insurance is likely void.***

3.Forgetting to renew car tax

You could be fined £80 for not taxing your vehicle or failing to inform the DVLA if it’s off the road using a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). Failure to pay your fine on time could result in your vehicle being clamped or crushed, or your details passed to a debt collection agency.****

4.Forgetting to renew driving licence 

A photocard licence must be renewed every 10 years. If you are caught driving without a valid licence, and are not waiting on a renewal, you could receive six points on your licence and a fine of up to £1,000, plus your insurance is likely to be invalid.*****

5.Forgetting to update your vehicle log book (V5C)

If you change your name or address you must update your vehicle log book. Failure to tell the DVLA when your name or address changes means you can be fined up to £1,000.****** Any inaccurate information could also result in your insurer refusing to pay out on claims, leaving you unprotected.

As a leading price comparison site, Quotezone helps millions of drivers every year compare and find savings on all sorts of car insurance, such as young, older and convicted driver insurance.

References:
*https://www.mib.org.uk/media-centre/blogs/2025/january/the-difference-mib-makes-in-numbers/ 
*https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/vehicle-excise-duty-evasion-statistics-2023/vehicle-excise-duty-evasion-statistics-2023 
**https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-without-insurance 
***https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot 
****https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-direct-debit/payment-fails 
*****https://www.quotezone.co.uk/car-insurance/guides/my-driving-licence-has-expired-now-what 
******https://www.gov.uk/change-address-v5c/change-name-address-v5c