Around 1.15 million people have driven a car in the last 12 months without having insurance, according to Sainsbury’s Car Insurance.

Research from the insurer found that nearly two fifths of people who have driven without insurance were aged between 17 and 24, with a further 22% aged between 25 and 34.

Penalties for those caught driving without insurance include fines and having their license taken away. London was found to be the area producing the highest number of uninsured drivers, with 6% of drivers admitting to the offence.

Nearly a fifth of uninsured drivers said they had failed to buy car insurance because they could not afford it, while 13% said that they forgot to purchase it. A further 13% said that they did not have time to arrange it.