§ Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times in each of the last 10 years the maximum fine for driving without insurance has been imposed by the courts; and in how many cases the fine was paid in full. [133018]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 21 October 2003]: Information collected centrally in the Home Office Court Proceedings Database shows that for the offence of using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks, the maximum fine of £5,000 (Level 5) has been imposed in England and Wales on seven occasions from 1992 to 2001. Five times in 1996 and twice in 1997.
An amendment to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, s.143 has now made using a motor vehicle while uninsured against third party risks a fixed penalty offence from 1 June 2003. Initially, offenders will be subjected to a £200 fixed penalty, which can be increased to a maximum fine of £5,000 if the matter goes to court. Information is not collected centrally on the amount of fines paid by the type of offence.