New figures obtained from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) show male drivers account for the large majority of uninsured‑driving offences across Northern Ireland, underlining an ongoing exposure for insurers and policyholders in the region.
Data gathered by CompareNI.com via a Freedom of Information request show 5,735 uninsured‑driving offences detected between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025 - more than any other type of motoring crime in that period. Male drivers were recorded as committing 4,806 of those offences compared with 920 by female drivers, meaning men represented roughly 84% of offences in the year. CompareNI summarised that male motorists were therefore more than five times as likely to drive uninsured as women during the period analysed.
The analysis reveals wide variation across policing districts. Belfast City recorded the highest number of offences with 1,531 detections - equivalent to 434 offences per 100,000 people - followed by Newry, Mourne and Down (344 per 100,000) and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (281 per 100,000). At the other end of the scale, Causeway Coast and Glens (158 per 100,000) and Ards and North Down (161 per 100,000) recorded the lowest rates.
Recent targeted enforcement by the PSNI, working with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, resulted in multiple vehicle seizures during a week‑long operation. That activity led to 58 motorists being issued with £200 fixed penalties and six penalty points for driving without insurance.
Driving without insurance creates direct and indirect costs for the motor insurance market. Motorists convicted of the offence receive an IN10 endorsement on their driving licence; insurers typically see such endorsements as a high‑risk marker, which can make cover more expensive or harder to obtain. CompareNI warns that six penalty points can increase premiums substantially and may restrict insurers’ capacity to provide cover to offenders without specialist terms.
Although the latest quarterly data show average motor premiums fell across the UK in 2025, Northern Ireland recorded a smaller reduction than most regions: overall prices were down by 6% to an average of £557, moving the region to sixth most expensive in the UK price rankings.
Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and managing director at CompareNI.com, said the figures underline both behaviour and administration issues: “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.”
Wilson added that penalties and endorsements can raise premiums and complicate access to cover: “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.”
He advised straightforward steps drivers can take to reduce the risk of being uninsured and to seek better prices: avoid auto‑renewal traps, consider paying premiums up front, and review the timing of purchases to find more competitive quotes.
