A worrying new survey by Sainsbury’s car insurance reveals that over 150,000 young people aged between 17 and 24 have driven without sufficient car insurance cover during the last year. The trend does not stop there, with many 35-44 year olds also driving without holding all relevant car finance documentation.

It is illegal to drive without car insurance, and to be insured the car must have an MOT . The research also indicated that increases in car insurance premiums would provoke many drivers to take to the road without car insurance.

Richard Clark, the car insurance manager at Sainsbury’s, said that the insured majority can pay for the dishonesty of the uninsured. He said: Uninsured motorists are a serious problem and we estimate that it adds over 6.5 per cent to premiums. It's not only dangerous, but it's also unfair to expect honest drivers to pick up the tab and we would urge those motorists who are tempted to break the law to consider trying to reduce the cost of motoring without dropping insurance.

Reducing the cost of motoring is possible. To do so, a second-hand vehicle could be considered over a new one, carefully shopping around for car finance is also a good idea. Choosing not to drive or sharing lifts also reduces the costs.