Rule change could effect unsuspecting drivers

A regulation designed to target uninsured drivers coming into place in January 2008 could catch thousands of innocent drivers unaware.

The AA says a change in the deadline for providers to register customers’ details on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) means that those who forget to renew their policies before expiry could get into trouble.

This is partly due to the fact that the number of days an insurer has to register drivers’ information on the MID has been reduced from 14 to seven.

John Close, the AA’s insurer relations director, explained: "Police use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology which instantly cross-checks registration numbers against the MID.

"If a checked vehicle is not on the database the equipment alerts police who can then stop it. If the driver can’t prove that he or she is covered, the car could be confiscated."

According to the AA, nearly 100,000 vehicles have been seized by police since July 2005 for licence or insurance infringements.