Dublin: The number of uninsured vehicles in Ireland is on the rise, with new data highlighting a concerning trend despite ongoing enforcement efforts.
According to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), uninsured private vehicles have increased by 3.5% over the past year, with 105,429 such vehicles currently on the roads. In addition, 105,942 non-private vehicles are either uninsured or not registered in the National Fleet Database (NFD).
MIBI, which provides compensation to victims of accidents involving uninsured or unidentified vehicles, estimates that 6.5% of vehicles in Ireland are being driven without insurance—significantly higher than the European Union benchmark of 2.4% and the 2.5% rate in the United Kingdom.
Push for Continuous Vehicle Coverage
The organisation has called for the introduction of a Continuous Vehicle Coverage (CVC) system, which would make it a legal requirement for all vehicle owners to maintain insurance from the time of acquisition. This system is already in place in 25 European countries and has proven effective in reducing uninsured driving.
In the UK, for example, the introduction of CVC reduced the rate of uninsured vehicles from 6% to 2.5%. Under this system, vehicle owners receive a warning and fine if insurance lapses, followed by stricter penalties—including fixed charge notices and potential prosecution—if non-compliance continues.
Enforcement and Challenges
Currently, in Ireland, penalties can only be imposed when a driver is caught operating a vehicle without valid insurance, placing additional pressure on An Garda Síochána. In contrast, the CVC system targets vehicle ownership rather than driver behaviour, making enforcement more efficient.
The report also notes that while the number of uninsured private vehicles has decreased from 187,000 in 2022, the overall figures remain high.
Technology and Monitoring
The National Fleet Database is part of the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), introduced in 2024. This system enables gardaí to verify a vehicle’s insurance status within seconds using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology or mobile devices. The database includes details such as policyholder information, vehicle registration numbers, and authorised drivers.
Despite intensified enforcement, challenges persist. MIBI Chief Executive David Fitzgerald acknowledged the efforts of An Garda Síochána but stressed that stronger measures are needed.
In 2025 alone, 19,673 vehicles were seized for being driven without insurance, while 25,009 charges and summonses were issued. However, these actions have not been sufficient to curb the overall rise in uninsured vehicles.
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