What’s the likelihood of someone in the UK being pulled over or spotted as someone driving without a license?
Posted by No_Cup_823@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 364 comments
For context I do not have plans to do this, my friend does this, I don’t agree with it and I often wonder if she’s going to get caught, she doesn’t have her license yet but she drives her car, she is insured but yeah, no license and has been doing it for quite a long time, I’ve always wondered how risky it actually is and when they are going to realise, any help appreciated
Squirrel_Worth@reddit
She isn’t insured. They’re insuring a licensed driver. That’s like saying I’ve bought my dog insurance so he can drive now.
zephyrmox@reddit
If the car is flagged as insured and taxed and she obeys all road rules it's pretty unlikely. Lots of people drive their entire life without being pulled over.
Her insurance will not be valid though meaning if she is in an accident she will be in for a world of pain.
theModge@reddit
It doesn't even need to be her fault: someone runs into the back of her or something and there's still a very good chance that just checking on her license becomes part of what the insurance company do. An accident bad enough to involve a police investigation (again...she doesn't need to be at fault) will also make for a world of sadness.
continentaldreams@reddit
Yep exactly - insurers all share data between each other to stop fraud. If someone hits her, reports it to insurers that she was the only one in the vehicle (which you are required to do when reporting - insurers will always ask this due to potential for personal injury claims), and her insurers get wind of that? Her policy will be cancelled and it'll be a mark on her records forever.
phil24_7@reddit
If she has taken out insurance for a full license holder, this won't happen
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
She hasn’t done her test yet, therefore she’s on learner insurance - YOU NEED to have your 3 year licence passenger with you, if not you will be get a criminal record for driving without insurance
phil24_7@reddit
If course she'd need to be stopped for that to happen! 🤦🏻♂️
iamgoin@reddit
I think this conversation is going round in circles a bit now. Someone else could do something stupid, cause an accident between them and her and she’d be screwed for the next few years of her life. Accidents happen all of the time and she wouldn’t have a chance legally if someone else did crash into her. She’d lose her ability to get a license and if she did continue to drive after that and managed to get caught again, she’d go to court and face a hefty fine and/or a prison sentence.
I’ve considered doing it as it’s basically impossible to get a test where I live but I wouldn’t want to mess up my life or have something happen to my partner’s car because of my stupid actions. I’m now considering getting a motorbike as it’s much easier to get a CBT for one where I live as opposed to getting a car license so perhaps that could be something that she could look into if transport is an issue for her?
SquirrelIll8180@reddit
To be fair i did one cbt and then rode for years without ever redoing one ( you're supposed to redo them every 2 years)
SquirrelIll8180@reddit
People seriously have no idea what they are talking about. She doesn't have insurance, she's driving illegally, she would be screwed if she got caught or in a crash and either have a criminal record, huge fine, driving ban or all of the above.
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
Been on the road long enough to know a lot of people can’t drive and therefore their theory must suck as well, the fact the dude is asking Reddit instead of going to the police is kind of crazy as well, all of our insurance premiums go up because of this one woman and her type, madness out brother.
continentaldreams@reddit
They will typically ask for a copy of your licence and/or request a DVLA check to review convictions/conditions.
phil24_7@reddit
I've literally never given them my license number!!! I haven't held private insurance for 10 or more years now though.
continentaldreams@reddit
They will request it if you have an accident, not before!
phil24_7@reddit
This is kinda my point. She had insurance as far as the insurers and the databases are concerned.
continentaldreams@reddit
Yes, but when it goes wrong that's when it's going to bite her in the arse
phil24_7@reddit
Oh definitely. 6 points for insurance, 6 for no licence, a fine, and then struggling to get insurance in future as well as having to take an extended test. But will it out then off doing the same again in future?!?! 🤷🏻♂️
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
Criminal record mate, she won’t be able to get a job, her insurance wlll be like £10 grand, her whole life will be essentially fucked if she ain’t got money
phil24_7@reddit
What world donyou like in?!?! Yes, she will have limited insurance options available in future, and she will have to pay a rediculous amount for the pleasure (if she bothers), but having a conviction for license or insurance isn't going to trouble her unless she tries for a job that needs a background check...because she will just lie, and it will need to be stumbled across by the employer. As long as that isn't a job that involves driving, there's very little chance of them finding out! 🤦🏻♂️
I'm not advocating for her, just showing how ineffective the system can be!
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
Having the perpetual risk of the employer finding out and firing them for lying on their application doesn't sound like fun...
phil24_7@reddit
For me, driving around without a license and insurance isn't fun. It seems the lady in question, isn't bothered by that sort of thing!
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
FAFO is likely to apply, and sooner than they expect.
phil24_7@reddit
And yet some people never get caught!
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
Most crimes only have consequences when people are caught, but that is more likely for some than others. And road crimes are just about the easiest to get caught for...
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
Women just gets jobs for being women these days so you probs right tbh
AskUK-ModTeam@reddit
Don't be a dick to each other, or other subreddits, places, or people.
Don't be a dick to each other, or other subreddits, places, or people. AskUK contains a variety of ages, experiences, and backgrounds - consider not everyone is operating on the same level or background as you. Listen to others before you respond, and be courteous when doing so.
phil24_7@reddit
Oh definitely. 6 points for insurance, 6 for no licence, a fine, and then struggling to get insurance in future as well as having to take an extended test. But will it out then off doing the same again in future?!?! 🤷🏻♂️
phil24_7@reddit
Oh definitely. 6 points for insurance, 6 for no licence, a fine, and then struggling to get insurance in future as well as having to take an extended test. But will it out then off doing the same again in future?!?! 🤷🏻♂️
Beartato4772@reddit
If she's not a named driver, no she doesn't. Which means she doesn't have insurance.
If another driver is named I hope their age and name look like they could be her or she could well get stopped.
CompletelyRandy@reddit
I have never given my insurance company my driving licence information, even after a bump.
Now, saying that, the police could have ran my plates, and everything came back OK, so they never asked.
On a unrelated side note, I was driving around with no insurance for 6 - 8 months and never got pulled for it. Only found out due to being pulled over for speeding. I did have insurance, it was a mistake from the insurance company who had the wrong registration.
phil24_7@reddit
I have driven multiple vehicles, on multiple occasions, with no tax, or no mot (or both), and on occasion, with the incorrect registration plate (which would show as non insurance), and avoided being pulled almost everytime, despite driving like a nut job most of the time!,
When and where you drive, matter just as much as how you drive, in deciding if you get a tug. I was even sat directly behind an ANPR equipped, police X5, with a plate that didn't match my traders insurance, and I didn't even get pulled then!!!
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
They too busy pulling peoples social media for hate crimes
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
She has learners insurance
phil24_7@reddit
This. 👆🏻
I got reversed into by a police van. I was stopped and they were reversing out of a side road, with another police officer watching them back. A breakdown in communication (a Royal fuck-up), meant he didn't stop before nudging my bumper.
We were both breathalised, and had to have all documents checked, after waiting for a sergeant to come and deal with it.
CoolRanchBaby@reddit
Why would they breathalise YOU if you were sitting stationary and other police witnessed it being the cops fault? Hmm were they looking for a way to get the other cop off?
I have never heard of someone being breathalised for being reversed into!
Longjumping_Ant4453@reddit
They hope you have had a drink so they can blame you
xeroksuk@reddit
More to the point is if they were over the limit, they are automatically at fault even if they were stationary.
phil24_7@reddit
Yup. I had a mate crash into a parked car as he was being a bit of a d**k. The owner was asleep in the front seat, drunk, keys on him. My mate was deemed not at fault! 🤣
xeroksuk@reddit
I've heard of things like that, though not as extreme.
phil24_7@reddit
I think he was parked in double yellows too. Not sure if that made any difference, or if it was just a case of the drunk driver at fault regardless.
It worked out well for my mate, and it wasn't a big crash either, so nobody was injured.
Longjumping_Ant4453@reddit
Even under the limit they try to blame them, got a mate whos a ex copper who says don't even have half as you get the blame
phil24_7@reddit
They breathalised all parties involved in a crash with a police vehicle. I'm not sure whether they do this for all incidents they are called to, as I've never called them to one!
This_Suit8791@reddit
Yeah they have started breathalysing every accident now they attend now just to make sure.
phil24_7@reddit
My incident was 20 years ago, give or take, so they've always done it if the police are involved
CoolRanchBaby@reddit
The things I’ve been in or family members have been in none of us were ever breathalysed even when police came. We are in Scotland though. And none of them were THAT recent. So maybe they have changed now.
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
Americans still do the whole dancing on the road routine so at least we know in the UK we got the equipment to deal with it without wasting anyone’s time (unless they don’t have mobile breathliser in their patrol car but most of them do tbh)
Fyrespray@reddit
Reminds me of the time I was stopped and they could smell alcohol because my friends I was driving had been drinking so they wouldn’t let me go on my way until they had breathalysed me.
Problem was they didn’t have one, so they called I. The nearest hit that did which happened to be an armed response vehicle.
To this date the only time I’ve give. A sample has been with a massive armed response officer holding an MP5 looking over me. I’m super glad I had not had anything to drink that night…
This_Suit8791@reddit
Not always because about 9 years ago someone pulled out on me at a roundabout while in a work van and the police turned up and didn’t breathalyse me or the other driver, I did get checked over by an ambulance though and was fine.
phil24_7@reddit
I'm talking specifically about accident involving a police vehicle! 👍🏻
Slow_Flatworm_881@reddit
It’s funny because a police van somersaulted into my garden wall, about 4 other police vehicles turned up, the driver was ‘disappeared’ in one, a recovery truck turned up and took away the van….all within 3/4 hour…don’t let anyone tell you the police don’t respond quickly enough! lol
-myeyeshaveseenyou-@reddit
Police were at fault for writing my car off, I was still breathalysed
Due_Peak_6428@reddit
Ridiculous I might have to stop drink driving moving forwards
CoolRanchBaby@reddit
Oh ok, makes sense. I’m in Scotland where the police are separate anyway, but maybe they do that here too now.
Daveddozey@reddit
Illegal to be in charge of a car while over the limit. You don’t have to be driving, just sitting in the back seat with the keys would be enough.
-myeyeshaveseenyou-@reddit
Had a police van write me off by overtaking me on the right as I was turning. I was not at fault but was still breathalysed. They did try to deny fault and claimed they thought I was turning left, luckily it happened outside my house and my cctv caught the accident and me indicating right
I was cleared by road traffic but it still took them 4 months to interview the officer driving. Red tape was blamed. Seemed ridiculous as I’m sure they would t have waited 4 months to interview me had I been at fault.
Pedantichrist@reddit
A police officer tried to breathalise me after hitting my empty, parked car.
Beartato4772@reddit
Because they want an excuse it's not their fault.
phil24_7@reddit
It's actually to make sure they investigate themselves properly, probably due to past cover ups.
They require a senior officer to investigate (a sergeant is usually enough), and they have to breathalised their own driver. If they are doing one, they should be doing the other in the interest of fairness.
It was time consuming and annoying, but I got why it was done that way. I let them off the crack to my number plate as I couldn't be bothered to claim for such a small thing.
not1or2@reddit
In my county they breathalise everyone at an accident regardless of if you’re in the wrong or not.
StevenXSG@reddit
It is not for the police to appoint blame. That is for insurance or prosecution depending on the scenario. What they are required to do is collect evidence of everything, even if it is obvious. If they miss something, then it's on them that there was a failure to do so.
Plus-Ambassador-9668@reddit
Somebody crashed into the back of me as I was slowing approaching a roundabout, and I was breathalysed. I think it’s just a blanket approach
jesussays51@reddit
Same, had someone crash into me and I bumped into the car in front. All three drivers got breathalysed.
LongBeakedSnipe@reddit
Presumably doing what they have done is already leading to a world of problems. Let's say they pass their test, and continue their insurance, if they do get into an accident one day, surely there is a good chance it is going to become apparent they were driving for some time without a licence?
Why would people get insured without a licence anyway. As you say, it doesn't do anything, thus it still counts as driving without insurance, so you might as well not pay for it if you are going to do the crime.
Beartato4772@reddit
Yep, because whichever insurance company would otherwise have to pay out, will want an excuse not to pay out.
Plus I recently won a case where someone drove into me and drove off. You can bet as part of those court proceedings their lawyer checked my car and credentials.
superioso@reddit
It depends on how the anpr data is shown to the police. If it says it's insured to a holder of a provisional license only and there's only one person driving then I bet they'd pull it over.
terryjuicelawson@reddit
In various ways too, crash on a motorway and they may well get the bill to repair all the fencing they hit for example.
BillWilberforce@reddit
I was driving in a friend's car and he got pulled. Turned out the ANPR flagged it as it was insured to a 65 year old doctor and he was 18.
zephyrmox@reddit
Interesting to hear that this happens. I have drive other cars cover on my policy and often use it to drive my mother's car third party! Never been pulled.
DocMillion@reddit
I got pulled over driving my mum's car when I was 20 or so, the police told me it was registered to a woman in her 50s hence they stopped me to check who I was
SparklePenguin24@reddit
I've been pulled over while driving my Dad's car third party. I might have had the advantage of being 39 and not being the 18 year old boy racer they were looking for! After some initial confusion the police were happy with my confirmation of my Dad's name, address and took my word that I had permission to drive the car.
This_Suit8791@reddit
Same but you could be pulled and asked to provide details, and as long as you have the cover and permission it will be fine.
DefinatelyAlwaysLost@reddit
Did you read about the guy who's been driving for over 70years and only just been pulled over? Lol he's never been insured or had a license I think it said haha
UnacceptableUse@reddit
I know someone who was driving for 50 years for his job and never had a license
Ok_Chipmunk_7066@reddit
My dad turned 70, and still has a paper licence. Never been pulled over, so never had to buy a photo licence.
Gornal-Annie6133@reddit
Paper licenses are still valid in the UK. I’ve got one.
Ok_Chipmunk_7066@reddit
They are valid, but you're supposed to renew and upgrade one. It's kind of grey area?
phil24_7@reddit
If you renew, or upgrade, do to a category being added or removed, changing your address or changing any bother details. Then you must apply for a photo license. Otherwise, you can keep your paper version as it is valid.
Beartato4772@reddit
Nope, unless you move house of course. I only did my paper licence fairly recently.
neilm1000@reddit
Not really, they're valid. That's it. No greyness.
feckarse-drinkgirls@reddit
Paper licenses remain to be valid as long as your details are the same
Jacktheforkie@reddit
I’ve driven over 100 thousand miles and never once been pulled over, and I’ve done many miles with a tail light bulb out on my lorry because it blows em like crazy
hhfugrr3@reddit
Worth saying that her insurance will be valid insofar as any third party liabilities are concerned and thus for the purposes of the criminal law on driving without insurance. That is because the Road Traffic Act prevents insurers escaping 3rd party liability where a policy is voidable but has not been voided at the time of the crash.
phil24_7@reddit
They may try and recover their loses from the insured party though, if you own any substantial assets, they very likely will.
hhfugrr3@reddit
Definitely they will.
Kaiisim@reddit
There was a story a few years ago about some 86 year old or something who had driven his whole life without a license!
Altruistic_Grocery81@reddit
Exactly this. Also helps reduce the likelihood if your friend lives at the address it’s registered to in addition to the tax and insurance.
I got pulled over because ANPR picked up the registered keeper address differed from my own on the insurance and tax when I bought a car and the dealer kindly hadn’t got round to sending the V5 off.
Ok_Chipmunk_7066@reddit
My dad turned 70, and still has a paper licence. Never been pulled over, so never had to buy a photo licence.
Wonderful-Bonus5439@reddit
My mum is 59 and has a paper license still! I’ve never met anyone else without a photo one.
witdim@reddit
You cannot be insured without a license.
No_Bite_7587@reddit
they likely have provisional driver insurance which yes is insurance but with another driver supervising.
Cornelius-Figgle@reddit
Insurance isn't valid if your license isn't valid, which a provisional isn't without supervision
LongBeakedSnipe@reddit
I don't think this is true based on other legal examples people have given.
If you don't have a licence, your insurance is voidable, but if it hasn't be voided at the time of the accident, then they are legally required to pay out.
They can then presumable sue the person with voidable insurance to cover their losses (if they have any assets).
After_Sherbert_5438@reddit
Depends if the losses are subrogated or not. A75 RTA applies.
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
It’s usually people like this that don’t have any assets, then make every single drivers premiums go up becuase the insurance companies will lay the cost on us law obeying licence holders with proper insurance cover
No-Mark4427@reddit
BUT the overarching point is they will show as insured. Even if the insurance is void due to how they are driving, their car will be shown as having valid insurance and won't flag.
No_Bite_7587@reddit
i just said it's insurance with another driver supervising.....which means it's not valid without the supervisor.....
Billy_Rizzle@reddit
They don’t have a valid insurance, but they may have some form insurance. You can get provisional driver insurance.
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
She has learners insurance
Billy_Rizzle@reddit
Her insurance is only valid when she is driving around with the named experienced driver(s) on her policy in the car and L plates displayed. She is risking an instant driving ban if caught.
Mdann52@reddit
Which isn't valid if you drive unaccompanied
ByteSizedGenius@reddit
I guess the point relevant to the question is the car is unlikely to flag on ANPR etc as no insurance.
DubbehD@reddit
Whenever I get a new vehicle, I'll always check motorscan and askmid before I go anywhere, I don't need that hassle lol
wordshavenomeanings@reddit
Yes, but OP is asking about getting caught.
Would this flag up on ANPR? Doubtful.
Billy_Rizzle@reddit
Yeah, that was the point I was getting at. Probably should have included that key detail tbf
BillWilberforce@reddit
Or it's in the name of somebody else.
Pocket_Aces1@reddit
Which would be voided since you aren't following the terms of the insurance. So again, you don't have valid insurance. Valid insurance is what's needed, not just insurance.
Asoxus@reddit
Yes, but even if they lied to their insurer and said they have a full license, then ANPR would just see the car as taxed and insured.
and1927@reddit
She’d need to be accompanied but also have L plates showing. The likelihood of police stopping her increases dramatically. She’d be less likely to be stopped if the car was insured under someone else’s name.
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Which requres a licenced driver to be in the car with you at all times.
continentaldreams@reddit
It doesn't matter - if she has provisional driving insurance then the expectation would be that she has someone in the vehicle with her. If she hits someone, they testify she was the only one in the vehicle - she's done for, policy cancelled.
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
You can, learner insurance
Bksudbjdua@reddit
She might not be the sole driver
badger906@reddit
but you can have car insurance without a licence.
Chris-TT@reddit
The long and short of it is she simply isn't inured. Theres a reason insurance jumps up 3-4 times the amount when you go from a provisional to full license, what she's doing is much worse and she definitely isn't covered.
Zathral@reddit
Her insurance is not valid without a licence. Tell her to stop being a selfish prick and stop driving without a licence and hence uninsured
iffyClyro@reddit
You’d be surprised.
When I catch people driving without a substantive license I have to check with the insurance provider before I liable the no insurance charge. It’s 50/50 between those that confirm they still cover it.
Thin-Accountant-3698@reddit
if she drives safe. and sticks to speed limits. over checks. minimises the risk. she be fine.
wordshavenomeanings@reddit
The longer she does it, the more the risk increases.
In 20 years of driving i have only been pulled once.
I have had 3 no fault accidents, one fault accident and 2 speeding tickets.
All of which would have triggered serious consequences for me if I had been driving without a licence.
Thin-Accountant-3698@reddit
not been pulled over by police since 1998.
Beartato4772@reddit
How many ANPR cameras have you passed? She's got invalid insurance because the driver named does not have a licence.
Or she's not the main driver in which case she AND the main driver are committing an offence.
wordshavenomeanings@reddit
Ive passed 1000s of ANPR, we all have.
It wont check anything beyond whether the car is insured or not.
I imagine there are some canny AI cameras in the works.
Targettio@reddit
I love the implication that people with real license are out there trying to maximise the risk.
No one intents to have an accident, but they happen every day. She should not be on the road.
turtleship_2006@reddit
I mean there are some people who drive recklessly/dangerously, which will increase the risk, even if increasing the risk isn't their direct goal
Acrobatic-Ad584@reddit
She isn't insured if she hasn't got driving licence
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
She has provisional driver insurance
Acrobatic-Ad584@reddit
Which would be invalidated if she is out driving without a driving licence holder with her. Out alone, she h
MbembasTuxedo@reddit
But without being accompanied by a full license driver, the policy is invalid so effectively she doesn’t have insurance.
Is she driving with L plates
theartofnocode@reddit
Zero. The police don't stop random drivers any more.
ActionBirbie@reddit
They never stopped drivers at "random". That is not something that is within police powers.
theartofnocode@reddit
It used to be in the olden days
Terrible-Group-9602@reddit
How can she get insurance without a valid driving licence?
MbembasTuxedo@reddit
What they are doing is monumentally stupid, I can’t even put into words how utterly brain dead dumb this is.
One tiny little incident and it’s over, driving ban, criminal conviction, life crippling debts, no chance of ever getting insurance in the future…
Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit
Report them please. If they were to have a crash or god forbid kill someone then you would wish you had. You are not a friend if you let them carry on
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
All of our premiums go up because of this woman, it’s insane how they just get a pass…we all know why though haha
Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit
Yes because no one stops them.
Fantastic-Machine-83@reddit
Yep. It's not like the driving test requires you to be a good driver, you just have to be safe. Anyone who hasn't passed shouldn't be on the road
Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit
As someone who had a child killed by an unlicenced and uninsured driver I will always get angry at people like "her"
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
Can I ask why you put her in quotation marks? Are you implying this is me that I’m talking about?
Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit
I am not implying anything. I also don't know for sure. I saw the update - learners insurance is not valid either onher own - so if stopped she would be deemed as not insuraned - get 6 future IN10 points and have the car siezed - it wouldn't be taxed either as Tax is only valid with a valid insurance policy in force
Plsu scum like this can kill people - tell her to stop - If she gets stopped it's bye bye car hello Crusher.
shortandfelly@reddit
It doesn't mean much, but I'm very sorry for your loss. People who abuse the privilege of driving (like OP's friend) are the absolute scum of the earth.
Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit
Thank you - Means a lot.
Agnesperdita@reddit
As someone who was permanently damaged by a drink driver, I would shop this “friend” to the police in a heartbeat. If she hasn’t passed a test then she has not been certified competent to drive. I don’t give a toss how “risky” it is for her; the problem is not if she gets caught, the problem is if she kills or maims someone while shes driving illegally. And if you know she’s driving illegally and you aren’t doing anything about it because it’s none of your business, you are complicit. If anyone thinks this kind of thing is nobody else’s business and you shouldn’t grass people up for it, I hope to god it’s not your loved ones she wipes out when her inexperience proves lethal.
Indigo-Waterfall@reddit
How is she insured without a licence?
Namiweso@reddit
I imagine without a full licence, only a provisional. I imagine it's a provisional insurance too.
Basically driving without another licenced driver within the car.
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
3 year min as well, super important because I’ve seen people do the old “I’ll teach you lessons for free if you take me here and there” cause they want to save on petrol and the person gets yoinked by an officer because passenger didn’t have 3 years on their licence
Namiweso@reddit
Oh yeah - but imagine the friend in this case probably doesn’t even drive with a passenger half the time.
It’s a ticking time bomb to ignore it though. Just pass your test and drive legally. A single crash and that person won’t get insured for anything less than a small deposit on a flat.
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
My cousin is career criminal, he got locked up for 5 years for stealing cars etc, his insurance after his ban was £14k lol
Kitchen_Current@reddit
She isn’t the insurance is invalid
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
She has learner insurance
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
She has learner insurance
Perfectly_Other@reddit
If she's got no licence, she isnt insured.
Unlikely to flag if she doesnt speed or have an accident.
However if she's he is involved in an accident (even if its not her fault) or gets caught speeding.
Both of which are highly likely for a new driver.
She and whoevers policy the car is insured on will be in a whole load of hurt.
The policy will be immediately cancelled the second the insurance company find out and they will report her and the policy holder to the police for commiting insurance fraud.
Resulting in zero payout and potentially putting her in major debt for the damage done to the other vehicle.
She will also face difficulty getting insurance in the future.
Not only will many companies refuse to insure her, but those that are willing to take that risk will charge her sky high policy rates for the rest of her life because unlike speeding points she will always have to declare toher insurers that she had a policy cancelled for driving without a licence.
Source my partner who works car insurance customer service
de-tree-fiddy@reddit
If she's insured as a learner she's only insured when someone with a licence is with her.
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
I know
FornyHucker22@reddit
Without cause to check, very unlikely.
but the moment she is involved in even a minor accident, even if it wasn’t even her fault, she will be fully and rightfully fucked and in for an expensive lesson.
Dunny2k@reddit
Don’t need cause to pull someone over though
Interest-Desk@reddit
But in practice getting stopped randomly is rare (but does happen)
Senior_Sentence_566@reddit
Doesn't even need to be a minor accident. If she makes a careless manoeuvre in front of a police car they might choose to pull her over to just have a chat
Nandor1262@reddit
Doesn’t even need to be in-front of a Policeman. If she does something reckless and it’s recorded on a dash-cam and sent to the Police she will be absolutely fucked
Spaceraider22@reddit
Of course but how often does that actually happen? Couple times in a lifetime maybe if your a normal driver
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
Just watch those police shows, it happens all the time everywhere - people think they are slick, when the police turn their lights on…you better be in for a chase or be facing that criminal record lol
mckjerral@reddit
Someone without a licence isn't a normal driver though...
UnacceptableUse@reddit
Probably more often for someone who drives with no license
Ok-Cold3937@reddit
And possibly prison.
limpingdba@reddit
Have you ever seen Police Interceptors? It'll be 12 points and a 200quid fine.
continentaldreams@reddit
If she hits a pedestrian? Prison
nick_gadget@reddit
And potentially bankruptcy - the victim would normally claim losses from the driver’s insurance company, but if there was no insurance their only remedy would be to sue the driver. It would be fairly unlikely, but if they had the will to do it, it could run into tens of thousands.
Ok-Cold3937@reddit
True. A driving ban on a licence they don’t have. What’s that all about?
Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit
Refusal to offer them a test is what it's about - the DVSA has a black list
neilm1000@reddit
How long does 'membership' (not sure that's the word but is sort of a club) of the blacklist last? Forever?
Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit
I believe it is 10 years - could be longer, But I personally think it should be lifelong. Actions have consiquences etc. Being told "sorry you can't have home insturance because you broke the law" would be bitter sweet
giantturtleseyes@reddit
What would they want a licence for? They have been driving without one for years
Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit
Because the black list is shared with insurance,Police DVSA and others, Means she would have trouble geting ANY insurance for anything. There are other things that would be affected but I can't think of them right now
WAVE_GoodBye@reddit
It allows for escalating criminal convictions for driving while disqualified
limpingdba@reddit
It won't even be a ban most likely... Just points!
K0monazmuk@reddit
And then caught again 2 weeks later doing the same thing.
BrieflyVerbose@reddit
Very doubtful, even less likely as a woman.
Left-Ad-3412@reddit
It's only risky if she gets into a situation where the police need to stop her. If it's insured it won't "ping" an ANPR notification or anything.
But when she gets stopped and they see she is on a provisional she's getting points for driving not in accordance with her licence, she's getting points for no insurance, and then she's getting her car seized and will need to have someone else pick it up for her because she won't be able to.
She's more likely to get a summons and end up in court and be banned
HiroPr0tag0nist@reddit
She needs a slap and her keys taken away until she's passed.
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
You wouldn’t talk about slapping her if it was a man I was talking about.. fuck off
VolcanicBear@reddit
Not if she doesn't have a license lmao. What a twat.
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
Learner insurance
limpingdba@reddit
Her insurance is invalid, but it won't be flagged an uninsured on thr ANPR cameras, which is how you get pulled and caught. So it does make sense, if you're trying to pull off a stunt like this.
The funny thing is, if/when she gets caught she'll likely just receive points (on a license she doesn't even have) and a fine (of less than the cost of 6 months insurance). Make it make sense
VolcanicBear@reddit
It's been so long since I changed insurance providers that I can't remember, but don't you need to give your licence number when you take it out?
Fucking stupid if you don't tbh.
Beartato4772@reddit
The insurance won't be in her name I'm betting.
I_ALWAYS_UPVOTE_CATS@reddit
IIRC providing your licence number is optional when taking out car insurance.
Vequihellin@reddit
Maybe it shouldn't be. Even so, she's still eligible for a provisional policy, she's just misusing it and her behaviour is reckless and dangerous.
limpingdba@reddit
Yeah, but you could lie and use a different person's licence or whatever. The thing about this is the insurers don't care if you do it because they'll void any payouts. Its free money for them.
zephyrmox@reddit
They won't in the case of a third party claim. They will pay the claim and reclaim the money from the driver (OP's friend). They are legally obligated to do this. They will not be happy at all because reclaiming money from a private citizen is hard work.
lorl3ss@reddit
" reclaim the money from the driver" ..... how?
If i put your driving license on my application that's straight up fraud. You can't then be held responsible for damage for me crashing a fuel tanker into the local mcdonalds.
phil24_7@reddit
I don't ever rememeber giving my license details to an insurance company?!?! It's up to me to buy the correct insurance, if I dont, it's null and void.
Vernacian@reddit
The insurance is likely in someone else's name.
GojuSuzi@reddit
She will also get her insurance cancelled, which means she's going to be paying sketchy companies through the nose for policies where the excess is more than the car is worth for the foreseeable. Long term, it's gonna cost a bomb.
lorl3ss@reddit
This. Getting caught doing this is going to make doing it legally in the future extortionate.
quartersessions@reddit
It doesn't really make sense, but it'll be a right kicker when she tries to get an insurance policy later on.
limpingdba@reddit
Only if she gets caught...
Vuldezad@reddit
What a twat...why?
Let's say they have more than enough money to pay for any damage on the case of an incident. What is the issue?
Insurance is for those who can not pay large sums...
TheGoose995@reddit
It’s illegal in the UK to drive without insurance so doesn’t matter how much money you have, that’s irrelevant
zephyrmox@reddit
You used to be able to self insure by lodging £500k with the Accountant General of the Senior Courts. Not for about 8 years though!
VolcanicBear@reddit
Why is someone who is driving uninsured and without a license a twat?
Did you really ask that?
Insurance is a legal requirement to drive a car on public roads.
Superb_Difficulty376@reddit
So she’s not insured then yeah?
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
She has learners insurance thank you!
Superb_Difficulty376@reddit
So she isn’t insured without a passenger who has been driving over three years. If she drives alone she isn’t insured. Thank you!
EarlGreyTeaDrinker@reddit
If someone rings 101 or goes on their local police website and says/fills in a report “I think this person is driving without having passed their test, the car is a (make, model) and the number plate is (number and letter combo)” that could get added to ANPR. If multiple people do it then it gets added for sure. If the declaration is also “they drive after taking cocaine/smoking weed/drinking” then it gets prioritised. If it’s on ANPR and a police car goes past it or it goes past a camera then there is an alert to the police car or control room. If no one does these things then being pulled over is not likely unless there is another cause, such as poor driving or illegal tinted windows.
Historical-Lawyer-90@reddit
Can you get car insurance without a license?
No_Cup_823@reddit (OP)
Yes, learners insurance
VooDooBooBooBear@reddit
She isn't insured if she doesn't have a licence lmao. Please report her, she could kill someone.
Left_Set_5916@reddit
A friend's got caught driving without a license, the way they caught him was not wearing a selt belt.
You can always dob them in https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23573829573&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqPLOBhCiARIsAKRMPZqO8CEa6kkUFZ1FXO4Tcco-tVQkX4SYeieOsCiNNv0dmlkTriuQuyUaAkgiEALw_wcB
Natural_Bet6685@reddit
The police can follow you, and the cameras can see your registration number. From that, they can do a PNC check, and it'll bring up all the details of the car, including if it's insured. plus everything else about "that" person. you work it out.
Terrible_Tap_4385@reddit
Police don’t even come out for violent assaults. I love your rose-tinted view of the world
Natural_Bet6685@reddit
But they drive around looking for car and traffic violators. I know i'm a delivery driver.
Terrible_Tap_4385@reddit
Yes, but the comment stated they ‘could’ trawl cctv to conduct an elaborate investigation into who was driving. Try reading before you hastily comment?
mk6971@reddit
You CANNOT be insured with no licence. She is breaking the terms of her insurance. If she is caught she will be arrested and her car impounded.
She is a selfish bitch as she is one of the many reasons why insurance premiums are high. In my opinion you should anonymously report her to the police.
dazed1984@reddit
She’s not insured. The insurance will require a licence and will be invalidated straightaway. If she’s ever involved in an accident even not her fault big problems.
Blind_Warthog@reddit
Not being funny but if I knew one of my mates was driving unlicensed and without valid insurance I’d be giving them a harsh talking to if not shopping them in.
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
He probs don’t want to hurt her little feelings or some dumb shite like that, a lot of women get passes on that I’ve seen it many times, absolutely wank in the test but somehow get a licence because they flashed their eyelashes sufficiently enough to get the examiner hooked, if it’s a woman examiner - she fucking cooked, same way lots of HR managers are women because man can’t call out shitty women these days without being called some sort of label, bad women exist, call them out the same way you would call out a bad man.
AbzPanda@reddit
As someone who lost a family member and sustained serious injuries due to a RTA I have absolutely no tolerance for behaviours like this.
Plus911uk@reddit
Needs be reported to police straight away and before all the moaners come in what happens if hits your car or worse seriously injury’s someone with no insurance you would be out of pocket people like this are the lowest of the low
Fantastic-Machine-83@reddit
If you get hit by an uninsured driver are you just completely fucked? I suppose any sort of claim you make with your own insurer will count against your record going forward, assuming you get anything at all
eilb3@reddit
If you’re hit by an uninsured driver your claim is made against the MIB(motor insurance bureau). I believe a percentage of your car insurance is paid to the MIB to settle claims. My dad was hit by an uninsured driver a few years ago and he went through his insurance company like you would normally do but instead of them claiming against the other persons insurance they claimed against the MIB. I’m not sure if there’s a difference but it seemed pretty similar to the process I had when I got hit by an insured driver a few years before.
Fantastic-Machine-83@reddit
Nice, that makes sense
Familiar-Woodpecker5@reddit
I’m sure some insurances you can pay extra to be covered for uninsured drivers
eilb3@reddit
If you’re hit by an uninsured driver your claim is made against the MIB(motor insurance bureau). I believe a percentage of your car insurance is paid to the MIB to settle claims. My dad was hit by an uninsured driver a few years ago and he went through his insurance company like you would normally do but instead of them claiming against the other persons insurance they claimed against the MIB. I’m not sure if there’s a difference but it seemed pretty similar to the process I had when I got hit by an insured driver a few years before.
DigitalDunc@reddit
She needs to stop this because if she gets into trouble, even the insurance will be a nightmare. I know England’s most prolific banned drink driver (Jeremy Smith, featured on telly with David Odhams, God rest his soul) and the fuzz know him on sight. He’s never getting his licence.
tacticall0tion@reddit
If she's white, drives sensibly, has insurance & tax.... almost zero chance. That isn't me being mean, racist or anything like that, it's genuinely how it is most of the time.
Example, I've been driving/riding bikes for 14y. I got stopped once when I was 16, on a moped with no L plates, no MOT(which also means no tax.) With 2 of my friends. We got a slap on the wrist and told to go straight home.
My fiancées ex on the other hand who was black, was stopped multiple times over the year they were together, and apparently he drove like miss daisy all the time.
SpaTowner@reddit
Miss Daisy didn’t drive.
SirPooleyX@reddit
How do you get insured without a driving license?
SpaTowner@reddit
She’s not insured. She can only have got insured in her own name by lying to the insurance company. If she’s driving on someone else’s insurance, that breaks the terms of that insurance.
When you break the terms of the insurance contract, the company will consider the contract void and not pay any relevant claims. If you lie to obtain an insurance policy the company will consider the contract void, not pay any claims and may pursue a prosecution for fraud. No one gets their premiums back, but they might get a criminal record.
audigex@reddit
The odds of being pulled over if the car is taxed, MOT’d, insured, and well maintained/legal (no dark tints, questionable number plate spacing etc), and driving safely and within the law, are pretty minimal.
Most people caught without a license are also breaking one of those other laws and that’s why they get noticed.
There’s a very small chance of being picked up in a random stop for eg alcohol checks, but they’re VERY rare especially if you aren’t eg driving in the evening around Christmas. The only random check I’ve had in 20 years was them pulling over every 3rd car for breathalyser tests the Friday before Christmas around 11pm (I assume looking out for people drink driving on their way home from their Christmas party)
However, if she’s involved in any accident (whether her fault or not), the odds of being caught rocket because police and insurance will routinely check for a valid licence
And someone dies or is seriously injured because of an accident where she was driving without a license, that’s probably going to be jail time
Thin_Primary3261@reddit
Policy might be live but if she’s driving about with no licence then she’s not insured. If she hits someone, someone hits her or whatever then that policy will be void back to inception and then she’d get done for driving without insurance and driving without a licence, also would cause a lot of grief for the other party involved trying to sort out a claim against an uninsured driver 🙈
Dead_Bones001@reddit
No valid insurance. What if she injures someone else and is sued for damages?
TonedBroom24427@reddit
Who cares insurance is to expensive for young people why should we not be able to drive because it’s unaffordable?
Snadadap@reddit
Driving isn't a right unfortunately. It's more expensive for younger people because of less driving experience and younger people are more likely to be in accidents. Not having insurance causes everyone else's insurance to increase.
TonedBroom24427@reddit
I get that, but I’ll be driving without insurance because it’s just too expensive. I earn just a tad over £3,000 a month at 23, and I’m getting quotes for £900 a month on 15-year-old banger cars — never mind newer ones. I’ve done everything right: I got my licence, I’ve tried getting insurance, but I simply can’t afford it, even with my decent earnings. So I have to ask: why shouldn’t I just drive without insurance? It feels like a pure scam for younger people. We’re the group that needs to drive the most — we’re trying to live our lives the way older generations did, except everything is filthily expensive for us now.
Snadadap@reddit
Why shouldn't you just drive without insurance?
1) it's illegal
2) police can seize your car
3) you can be banned from driving
4) any future premiums will cost a lot more
5) it's massively dickish to everyone else on the road
I'm sorry it's expensive for you but as I said, driving isn't a right. If you can't afford it, there are other options. Take public transport, get a bike, get a moped/scooter, take taxis or walk.
Terrible_Tap_4385@reddit
Entitled moron
TonedBroom24427@reddit
No I just find it mad I earn way more than my parents did at my age yet can’t afford a car how is that entitled? I just want the same basics that everyone else other generation has had given to them on a plate
_NotMitetechno_@reddit
No you want to be able to drive around without insurance which inherently makes things worse for everyone. You're complaining about 2 different issues.
TonedBroom24427@reddit
I wouldn’t mind having insurance if it wasn’t £900 a month for a banger cars never mind I just don’t want to be extorted by insurance company’s because I’m young.
_NotMitetechno_@reddit
Higher risk for young people to have accidents = more expensive insurance. It's more of an argument to regulate insurance harder than to just let people not have insurance.
TonedBroom24427@reddit
I definitely agree it needs regulating better, because I shouldn’t be paying more for insurance per month than the bloody car is worth. But what I was trying to say is: if it’s going to be so unreasonably expensive and prohibitive for people who have worked hard and are trying to do things the right way, then I don’t see the problem with just doing whatever you want anyway. All the politicians do whatever they want with no consequences so why should us young people who are trying to build a life not do the same if everything is purposefully stacked against us?
zephyrmox@reddit
The insurance company which notionally insures the car will pay, and then attempt to reclaim costs from the driver. There is an obligation for third party cover regardless of misrepresentation by the driver.
continentaldreams@reddit
This is true under RTA conditions, but they will always try and pursue a recovery against a policyholder who was fundamentally dishonest. It might be £5 a week, but they will pursue it. And good luck ever getting another insurance policy.
zephyrmox@reddit
Which is what I said....?
continentaldreams@reddit
Sorry, I misread!
dontbeignorantordumb@reddit
In 10 years of UK driving I only got pulled over once and it was a month ago, new car and the insurance wasn't on the system yet, so they pulled me over to check.
Extra-Particular2508@reddit
Unless the car is registered and insured to someone then she's unlikely to get pulled over. However, if she gets in an accident expect jail time. Very easy to fall foul of the rules if your not an experienced driver.
martin__t@reddit
No one in the UK has a 'driving license'.
Nandor1262@reddit
If you and her are thinking “oh what’s the risk of us getting in trouble” you’re wholly irresponsible. If she’s competent enough to pass the test, just do it. If she’s not she’s putting peoples lives at risk every single day.
If she was caught and they investigated the mileage on her car between her buying it and the moment she’s pulled over she could be absolutley fucked.
moanybastard@reddit
She is NOT insured. No matter how much she thinks she is.
Report her.
r_keel_esq@reddit
This is a UK-Specific sub, why the fuck does everyone keep spelling "Licence" with an S?
FallZealousideal3337@reddit
Not getting caught yet doesn’t mean it’s low risk it just means her luck hasn’t run out, and in the UK with ANPR cameras and routine checks, it’s a matter of when, not if.
Belterhaze31@reddit
Routine checks don’t exist really
If your driving around at 3am yeah, day time? Not a chance unless you’ve done something wrong
zephyrmox@reddit
How will an ANPR check pick up someone without a licence?
JTemperance-esque@reddit
Our car got written off by a learner driver driving alone who pulled out of a side road directly in front of my wife. He absolutely stank of weed. Never found out what happened to him but didn’t affect the payout to us.
ItsShaneMcE@reddit
Highly risky and comes with crushing of the car, bans and trouble getting insurance in future.
It’s not worth it even if she’s a competent driver. Would say good but good drivers wouldn’t take that unnecessary risk.
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
You get stopped on L plates and you ain’t got your 3 year licence passenger with you, you are fucked.
-Rhymenocerous-@reddit
Depends if an RPU unit equipped with ANPR clocks you and checks your details.
If they see only 1 male driver is insured on the vehicle and its a female driving it. Youre fucked.
I'd tell your friend to pack it in because if they cause an accident and hurt someone they're going to have not just the book thrown at them. They'll throw the entire bookshelf at them and bury you under it with a lengthy ban also.
Then if they get caught again after that they're often looking at a custodial sentance or a lengthy period on tag if they manage to get a suspended sentance.
If you serve time for a driving offence and get a ban at the same time the ban is now 1.5x the time (so your ban persists after you're turned loose from.the birdcages)
turtleship_2006@reddit
I feel like guessing the gender of the driver would be very unreliable, trans/NB drivers would likely be able to make claims about discrimination or something if they were pulled over because they didn't look male/female enough
-Rhymenocerous-@reddit
Police arent silly mate.
If they pull up behind you and run your plate then pull up to the side of you and look it doesnt take a genius to figure out the registered keeper (is what ANPR will show) is John Adams of, 673 Belmont Road and see a woman driving it.
They will likely pull you over for a check if they think something is amiss.
You can quite often tell if the person has long hair / short hair from behind which is often a give away and its far frok discrimination if youre actively commiting an offence and they catch you out.
Im not the biggest fan of the police at times with the way they've mishandled incidents involving females I care deeply about but I feel strongly about unlicenced drivers / banned drivers /drivers under the influence / uninsured being behind the wheel after losing a best friend to a drunk & banned driver.
You can try and worm out of it anyway you want but you shouldnt be on the road behind the wheel of a machine that can cause untold devestation in a matter of seconds due to someones negligence / ignorance. Driving is a privilage and not a right.
Fearless-Alfalfa-406@reddit
She’s not insured. You should report her before she hurts someone
HeverAfter@reddit
I know that this isn't AITA but you would be TA if you remained friends with this person. Taking a test means that you are less likely to kill someone. I couldn't be friends with someone like that.
Quaser_8386@reddit
Driving without a license is a serious offence. Can you clarify if she has a provisional license? Driving on her own as an unqualified driver means that her insurance would be invalid should she have any accident, EVEN if it wasn't her fault.
Is she the registered owner of the vehicle? Any ANPR-equipped vehicle will check if the vehicle is insured, and has a valid MOT certificate if required. Any police stop would also likely mean a PNC (Police National Computer) check, which may also highlight the fact that she is unlicensed.
Whatever the reason your friend needs to sort this. Sooner or later she will be caught. What may be a lark to her could mean a criminal conviction on her record for life.
Jamiewoo133@reddit
I did this for 7+ years from 19. Never had an issue ever.
Killuazoldykk16@reddit
I know someone thats been doing this for way over a decade and never been caught. Even then I still wouldn't recommend it
ManageThoseFootballs@reddit
If the car is totally uninsured (no drivers registered to it), I’m pretty sure it would be flagged by automatic number plate recognition, which is basically everywhere.
Goes without saying but please do not drive without a license or insurance. It’s an act of absolute stupidity.
If she crashes into someone she is absolutely legally fucked, and it’ll have huge consequences.
Beartato4772@reddit
It sounds to me like the car is "Insured" but under someone else's name.
Prasiatko@reddit
She's also pretty fucked if someone hits her no?
ManageThoseFootballs@reddit
Absolutely.
Dodgely@reddit
I thought you needed a license to get insurance and also to get a car. I'd be willing to guess some cop camera would flag this up eventually, then she'd find herself not driving for a considerable time.
Tennonboy@reddit
The chances are very minimal but do increase the more information you pass on. Name, car details, place of work, normal driving routes with approximate times. If he's not got a valid license, if he has insurance it won't be valid because of no license and very unlikely he'll bother with trivial things like maintenance and MOT's
CountryMouse359@reddit
If she obeys all traffic laws, it is unlikely. I've never had my licence checked by police. Of course, if she is involved in an accident and the police attend, she is in big trouble even if the accident isn't her fault. As for the insurance, she isn't insured. To be insured, you have to either have a full licence or have a provisional licence AND be accompanied by a suitable person. If she doesn't have this, she faces points, a fine and a ban. If it isn't her car, then the keeper is committing an offence by letting her drive it.
MrAnonymousTheThird@reddit
That's because when they scan your plate, the description they get matches the driver in the vehicle so there's no need to stop you
But if they scan a plate and it comes back as insured to a 56 year old male but in the driver seat is clearly a 20 year old woman, they'll likely bang on the blues and clear things up
20127010603170562316@reddit
I've been pulled over once. Got in the back seat of the police car, offered them my licence. "No need, we know who you are."
So I guess they did some checks while waiting for me to find a safe place to pull in.
Incidentally, the very young policeman, after having his little rant about road safety, seemed very disappointed in my 0 on the breath machine.
julesinho@reddit
Spoiler. She is not insured whether she pays for it or not. It'll be fine until it's suddenly not fine. Then it will be very not fine indeed. Tell her to grow up.
Jamiewoo133@reddit
Was driving for about 7 years before I got my license. Lessons were too expensive and I failed my test over bs despite clearly showing I could drive, so I decided to just buy a cheap car and use it.
Never had an issue ever. I even broke down once and the company recovered the car. Didn't even ask to see ID when they gave it back to me.
Jamiewoo133@reddit
Was driving for about 7 years before I got my license. Lessons were too expensive and I failed my test over bs despite clearly showing I could drive, so I decided to just buy a cheap car and use it.
Never had an issue ever. I even broke down once and the company recovered the car. Didn't even ask to see ID when they gave it back to me.
Zathral@reddit
Her insurance is not valid without a licence. Tell her to stop being selfish and stop driving without a licence and hence uninsured
Zathral@reddit
Her insurance is not valid without a licence. Tell her to stop being a selfish prick and stop driving without a licence and hence uninsured
Individual_Switch410@reddit
These days there’s numerous ways to tell. Car driving erratic bit over the line or car full of noisy passengers. Just do stop check and ask for papers blah blah..
Individual_Switch410@reddit
These days there’s numerous ways to tell. Car driving erratic bit over the line or car full of noisy passengers. Just do stop check and ask for papers blah blah..
iffyClyro@reddit
She will get caught… eventually.
Source: Nearly a decade of being a police officer.
Have done folk for it and they’ve admitted getting away with it for years and I’ve seen people get caught the very first time. Unless you live in some middle of nowhere rural backwater your days are always numbered.
50tinyducks@reddit
Her insurance isn’t valid - how has she even got insurance under her name - you have to tick a box or give your number on it. So either way she’s defrauded the insurance. All it takes is for someone to crash into her and she could be found out. Also if she is found to be driving with no license and then passes - her insurance is gonna be sky high!
NoEquipment7363@reddit
Your friend is an arse and needs reporting, she not insured, the poor sod she’s probably going to hit will most likely cop the cost of the repairs, or she hurts or kills someone!
ExileNorth@reddit
Being pulled over if the car is taxed and insured is extremely unlikely IMO.
My sister forgot to get her MOT done one year and was driving around for 6 months before she realised, never got pulled over.
There are hardly any traffic police these days, and they have bigger fish to fry than just randomly pulling over motorists for spot checks.
The only things I could think of would be poor/dangerous driving in view of the copper, or having a brake light out or something.
who-gives-a@reddit
A mate of mine drove for 10+ years without taking a test.
turtleship_2006@reddit
I obviously don't know what insurance she has but I have a very strong feeling she isn't, at least not in a way that's valid - either using learners insurance without a qualified driver in the car or in someone else's name would invalidate any potential claims if she was in an accident for example (whether her fault or not)
Does she have a provisional license?
bizzledizzle90@reddit
I had a friend who drove me to work for 2years and then came in after a day off buzzing because he had passed his driving license…. I would never have known
Also had an uncle who drove for around 20 years but he got his license in the early 2000s due to a new job
So in my experience it’s possible
Beartato4772@reddit
"Licence", the is AskUK.
Able-Ordinary-7280@reddit
She isn’t insured. Her insurance policy won’t be valid if she is driving without a licence.
TipsyPhippsy@reddit
So many people dont know how to spell licence lol
Lau_kaa@reddit
She's not insured, because a condition of the insurance is that the driver has a valid licence. So if she's in a collision, the other side will go after her personally.
She could get her car seized and herself prosecuted. 6 points on her licence is going to make insurance really fun afterwards.
CreativeAdeptness477@reddit
The chances are a lot higher if someone reports this like they should.
james_james1@reddit
I work in a criminal court in a UK city. There are about 30-40 people a week appearing for driving without a licence. But sure, take the chance. Also, without a licence you're also driving without insurance.
ImWithThatGuyThere@reddit
Simple risk assessment:probability - low; impact - very high
fleck57@reddit
From what I’ve seen on those police shows on channel 5, either the cameras inside the police cars will flag it or it’s always the people without insurance and/or a license that get pulled over for something like a broken headlight or bad driving
Puzzled-Barnacle-200@reddit
A lot of comments on the low liklihood of getting g pulled over if your car is insured, and that a bigger risk is a collision.
I'd also say there's a notable risk of getting caught speeding. They'll contact the registered keeper of the vehicle for the details of the driver. They may have a photo of the driver, which would make other people taking the fall (this is fraud, not recommended even without a photo) unfeasible.
Forsaken-Original-28@reddit
If the cars under someone else's name and insured then it's unlikely. I've never been pulled over. If she goes out late at night and drives recklessly then the chances increase.
et3rnalsunsh1ne@reddit
It happened once to a friend of a friend. She drove for about 10 years without a license. Got pulled over by police for a random check due to her using an old beat up car and got caught.
KoBoWC@reddit
Without insurance the car she's driving is at risk of confiscation if she's pulled over, so make it a banger (which can also mean something amazing, so let me qualify by saying make it a cheapie).
tearfulconfetti@reddit
I'm not being dramatic when I say I would not be friends with this person. That is so icky I can't lie.
Have you asked why they do it? I'd be so interested to find out if they think they're actually doing anything wrong.. Do they think if they actually crashed they're covered? As someone else asked, have they actually had lessons? I
SuboptimalOutcome@reddit
Near zero I'd expect.
I worked at this company one time for six months. There was an ongoing feud between a woman A, who I was working with, and a neighbour of hers B, who worked in a different department, mostly based (I think) on there being a years long queue for an allocated parking space, B had one despite not having a driving licence and A was way down on the list to get one.
B used to drive to work every day, A regularly reported her to HR and the police in the six months I was there, nothing ever happened.
TAOMCM@reddit
Why. Surely not that hard to get a license.
jefferson-started-it@reddit
I work as a Call Handler for the police, and tbh, it's worth you ringing 101 to make a report. If I got this call, I'd be submitting it as intelligence, which would be linked to the vehicle and would increase the chance of it being stopped.
If you do call, you'll most likely need the vehicle reg and her details.
cactusdan94@reddit
The car may be insured, but she isnt.
thricedice88@reddit
The local pikeys do it all the time and don't seem to suffer any consequences, ofc most of their vehicles are stolen and running bogus plates.
Jesssca@reddit
If she drives safe but has an accident that’s not her fault she will be caught. It will say insured and MOT’d so won’t be randomly pulled over. But as I say if she has an accident that is or isn’t her fault then she will be charged for no licence and no insurance. Also putting the other people at risk of loosing out on getting their car fixed. So highly selfish
TheReadyredditor1@reddit
Are you serious? You wanna drive no license no insurance you selfish mug, if you hit one of our cars or our children we are screwed because u can’t be asked to do a driving test? You repugnant pig
Deviant-Oreo@reddit
1) Someone else is on the car and it's their insurance.
2) You can't be added onto the insurance as a driver without a valid drivers license.
3) The keeper of the vehicle is liable and will go down along with her.
Police do sometimes run impromptu traffic stops to check drivers insurance and license at random.
I've encountered a few of them on random days and on random streets.
It's very f***ing risky.
But they can get away with it if they're lucky and they obey the law to an absolute T and don't crash or bump anyone or anyone crashes into THEM.
Again, super risky because a lot of the time it's not if. It's when.
bartread@reddit
Yeah. Also, if you get caught by a speed camera or a red light camera, or whatever, and you get a NIP you're going to be asked to identify who was driving.
Lying about this is going to get you convicted for perverting the course of justice, and it's going to be especially easy if you were caught by a front facing camera because the driver *will* most likely be easily identifiable. This is exactly what happened to former MP and cabinet minister Chris Huhne, along with his former wife, and the pair were sentenced to 8 months in prison (though I think they might only have served a couple of months).
On the other hand, if you *don't* lie, you still get busted for driving without a valid license, fined up to £1,000, 3 - 6 points on your license, your vehicle seized and impounded, and your insurance invalidated. That probably means you also get charged for driving without insurance, netting a further £600 fine, 6 more points on your license, vehicle seizure, etc., *and* the police can destroy the vehicle if you don't provide proof of insurance within 14 days, which you won't be able to do because your insurance was invalid.
I'm not sure how the points on license thing works if you don't have a license but I'd imagine they would be added to any license you did apply for, as a result of which you'd also be immediately banned from driving for having 6 or more points as a new driver.
*And* you'll have a criminal record, which can make it challenging to secure or maintain employment.
So, all in all, it's very risky, and very, very, very stupid.
Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit
You could report this friend, but otherwise it's unlikely if the car shows up as taxed, insured and MOT'd.
Cool_Doubt2152@reddit
If this was my friend I would promptly remove them as my friend. Deserves an anonymous tip to the police IMO. There’s no good excuse for this, imagine if she killed someone
TippyTurtley@reddit
If they kill or even hit someone while driving they are in a whole heap of shit
4BennyBlanco4@reddit
Unlikely. We have so many people driving around in untaxed vehicles with expired MOTs, the police do nothing.
Latter-Tangerine-951@reddit
The chance is extremely low. But if something happens, you're fucked.
Ok_Chipmunk_7066@reddit
The no licence is unlikely to trigger a stop, but without a valid licence they can't get insurance, and car tax.
So unless someone is being an idiot and paying for the insurance/tax under thier name and allowing them to drive illegally it'll only be a random stop or caught doing something silly.
Untaxed is really easy to track.
Cheesy_Wotsit@reddit
I get your point, but I've never had to provide my licence details to tax a car. Insure it, yes. Tax, no.
Ok_Chipmunk_7066@reddit
I think you're right. My tax just auto renews, and I set it up when I bought my car about 4 years ago.
Happy_Bat6455@reddit
If you disagree with it, report it - the Police can add an ANPR marker to her car which will help get her stopped. Driving without a licence invalidates her insurance, meaning if she has a bump she's relying on the MIB for any extreme third party costs, thus taking the piss out of the rest of us. Get her off the road.
External-Pain7410@reddit
Even if her driving is perfect all it takes is someone else to crash into her then it will start to unravel
Chicken_shish@reddit
As long as she drives carefully, close to zero as long as the car is insured and MOTd. It won't be picked up on ANPR, and unless you do something stupid, the chance of being stopped by the police is effectively zero. I've been "randomly" stopped once in about 40 years of driving.
Of course, the consequences of being nicked are severe. Her insurance won't be valid, and if she stuffs the car they'll come after her for 3rd party damages, in addition, plod will throw the book at her.
ThatBurningDog@reddit
Everyone else has commented on the insurance / tax aspects but I'm curious why she hasn't got a license.
Has she had lessons? I dread to think what the quality of her driving is like if not. Why hasn't she just carried on and got a license legitimately?
Was she banned? She probably had good reason to get banned.
Medical issues? I can sympathise but if they're going to affect her driving then she's potentially putting loads of people at risk.
Kizzieuk@reddit
I had a friend who drove without a licence for many years, she was a excellent driver and I have no idea why she never took her test.
yorkspirate@reddit
It only takes once for them to be in trouble. It'll be a prosecution for driving otherwise in accordance of their license. Very possibly also done for no insurance
The chances of getting caught ?? Small BUT if/when they are they'll potentially look back at anpr logs and see how long it's been happening which will lead to a stiffer sentence.
Violet351@reddit
Her insurance isn’t valid, if she she an accident and she hasn’t got L plates and someone legally allowed to monitor a learner driver she’ll get into legal trouble that way, even if it’s not her fault. If the car is insured she won’t be pulled over for that but there’s lots of reasons she could randomly be pulled over including faulty lights
Tyruto@reddit
There was a bloke a couple of years ago that got pulled over in his 70s. He had never had a licence and never been pulled over before that.
Lunaspoona@reddit
I've been pulled over s few times. Mostly for lights, they usually just tell me and be on our way.
Orher times though they have checked everything.
Once I was pulled giving a colleague a lift home from work. It was an older car around midnight. He couldn't tell who was driving so pulled me, checked my licence etc. Apparently there had been a lot of thefts in the area that week.
It's risky. As others have said, insurance won't be valid.
Specialist_Emu7274@reddit
I mean I’m not endorsing driving without a license obviously but there was some guy who drove for 70 years without one and has never been stopped. Which feels crazy but I guess they don’t randomly pull you over.
simkk@reddit
You should report the car they are driving for an uninsured driver you can do it via crimestoppers if you want more anonymity.
Also, I would recommend you review your choices in friends. I wouldn't personally be friends with someone who knowingly is putting other people at risk by not having the proper skills to drive a vehicle.
On top of that they are risking issues and costs for whoever owns the car, and if they hit someone they won't have any insurance to pay for it, even if they say they do.
slimdrum@reddit
Play with fire and we all know what happens eventually
notouttolunch@reddit
Absolutely zero.
DefinitelyNotEmu@reddit
Phone Crime Stoppers before she seriously injures someone and has no insurance so their life (and hers) is ruined
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Her insurance is moot if she doesn't have a licence and crashes. I am surprised she managed to get insurance without a licence as it is usually a requirement unless she is driving on someone else's. She is very unlikely to be caught though police do do random pulls to check details but she will in very bad situation if she crashes or is crashed into.
Curious_Orange8592@reddit
Fire and theft cover would still be valid, as would fully comp cover in the case where her parked car was hit by another car whose driver either didn't stop to give their details or was uninsured themselves.
It is only the third party cover that would be invalid and even then, only if driving unaccompanied by someone with a full license
Coconutpieplates@reddit
She hasn't got valid insurence, that's a charge, no license, that's a charge, insurence fraud, charge again etc. Its unlikely to be pulled over for nothing but she could get pulled over for speeding, lights at the back gone out, anpr camera could catch her etc, it's not worth it.
If she's caught she won't be able to get her licence any time soon and she'll be fined, car taken away etc, but a big headache will be that nobody will want to insure her again.
MrMonkeyman79@reddit
Grnetally you get pulled over if there's an issue with your driving or vehicle. They don't tend to do spot checks on random passing cars.
Though you say your friend is insured, but without a license that insurance won't be valid.
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Depends where you live. My town is notorious for lack of insurance, MOT and licences. Police do regular pull-overs - pulled over 500 cars the last time in one hit. Took them to a store carpark for processing.
minadequate@reddit
If she gets caught on a speed camera with only one person visible in the car, is she going to pursuade someone else to take her penalty points?
L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit
She doesn't have to be pulled over to be detetcted. The police use ANPR - Automatic Number Plate Recognition - cameras these days, which automatically check insurance and driver status. While she might not be pulled over immediately, any minor traffic stop, accident, or camera check will reveal the lack of license when checked against her cars registration.
PuzzleheadedLow4687@reddit
ANPR doesn't know who's driving. The driving licence and vehicle registration databases aren't linked together.
Vernacian@reddit
If the car is taxed and insured in someone else's name (e.g. an older relative) then none of this is a worry at all.
Correct-Ad-6605@reddit
Getting sued for the insurance costs for an accident is just a quick bumper tap away.
Getting pulled depends on the police officer taking note of who the insured driver is. If its a male who has the policy, she could be pulled over based on the fact shes female. That said, she would have had to do something to warrant an officers attention for that to happen.
QuantumHayBale@reddit
I have a friend who’s driven without a license for years the vehicle is insured under her partner‘s name – so basically not insured when she is driving but she has never had an accident and she’s never been caught. I’m not saying it’s right but she’s been doing it for over 20 years.
minadequate@reddit
She is likely to get away with it unless she is pulled over for something minor (a light out) or in an accident. Given you can’t control for if someone else hits your car or whatever obviously that’s a pretty big risk that she’d get 6-8 points on her licence before even passing her test (which would prevent her from being able to drive in all likelihood).
She would be driving both without a licence and without insurance as her insurance won’t cover her for driving alone. Thus if someone hit her car and wrote it off she wouldn’t have any cover.
She is an idiot for doing it… but many people are idiots
Kent_biker@reddit
I don't know what area this is, but where I am the police do regular roadside stops, especially around Christmas. I've been pulled into one 3 times in the last 18 months, but then I'm not an idiot and I'm fully legal so it's no skin off my nose. With the ANPR cats out there now it will only take one super diligent cop and she's cooked!
Gullible_fool_99@reddit
If your friend is driving without a valid licence then she has no insurance.
She could drive for 50 years and no one will find out if the she drives carefully, never has an accident and is never pulled over for any reason at all.
She is being incredibly stupid though.
illiteratemad@reddit
If she’s a careful driver probably fine but most people I know have been pulled over or involved in a minor accident atleast once in their life. Not worth it to be banned for years if caught
Tumeni1959@reddit
Depends where they drive. Odds of being pulled are higher in cities and urban areas than in the wilds of Scotland
TheGeordieGal@reddit
Your friend is the sort of idiot who causes problems (and accidents given no license probably means few if any lessons) for those of us with a license and insurance. I’d be tempted to look first a way to let the police know. I know someone who had an accident involving an uninsured driver (who went into the back of her) which was thankfully minor, but it caused a lot of hassle.
Mysterious_Beach_673@reddit
Most insurers ask for licence details now as part of the questions plus they need to know how long you’ve held your licence for. If you knowingly give incorrect information you will be held accountable when you are caught.
Phainesthai@reddit
No she's no. You can't get insurance without a licence.
What an absolute skank of a human.
azlan121@reddit
So, its very unlikely that she is actually insured, she may have cover as a learner, but won't be insured if she gets caught driving without a suitable supervisor in the car. She is comitting several criminal offences, and potentially opening herself up to a world of hurt, especially if things go wrong and she gets involved in an accident
I would say that its not worth the risk, not least because if she can drive competently enough to be on the road, she should have no difficulty passing a test, the bar for passing really isn't that high!
GBacon85@reddit
Your friend is an arsehole.
Ok-Tap-8035@reddit
Stop talking to said friend. If they they don't listen to you for this, fuck them.
maceion@reddit
Note: Her insurance may be / will be invalid , as insurance company may have policy that insurance is only valid with a full or provisional license. This is a major risk for her.
ImpactAffectionate86@reddit
Idiot for driving without a license, moronic for taking out insurance without a valid license
Davski88@reddit
As many people are already pointing out, she isn't insured if she doesnt have a licence. Maybe thats not so bad, if they hit someone else they'll just offer to pay for their repairs. Ok, but what happens if they kill someone with their 3,000 pound vehicle? She's going to prison for a seriously long time. Moronic behaviour.
continentaldreams@reddit
If she hits someone, or something, and the insurers find out she doesn't have a valid licence - then every single penny will be requested from HER personally. I work in insurance and she will have the book thrown at her.
fck-nzs1@reddit
V v rarely happens. What you have to worry about is having an accident.
Lots-o-bots@reddit
Do you mean she is driving someone else's otherwise legal car? In that case probably pretty slim so long as she is the same gender and approximate age as the registered keeper and doesnt attract attention on the roads. Outside of that, the chances are pretty high to be found out.
Jezbod@reddit
Without as licence their insurance is useless.
Available-Nose-5666@reddit
My father in law almost got away with it for almost 30 years. The police caught him last year for speeding. It’s very risky.
An old neighbour didn’t have a driving licence but had a car. One day he got drunk was speeding down the road hit my car and a few others. As I didn’t get on with him I took great delight in contacting the police. He wasn’t arrested for long.
Think_Money_6919@reddit
Had a mate who did this when he had a 1 year driving ban. Honestly it’s quite unlikely but I wouldn’t be driving outside of my local area much or on motorways to be honest.
StGuthlac2025@reddit
My grandmother did it for 50 years. Only stopped after she had an accident and had to explain to the family why she drove off and didn't give them any details. She stopped after that.
AutoModerator@reddit
Please help keep AskUK welcoming!
When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.