According to research by MoneySupermarket.com, 6% of motorists admit to knowingly getting behind the wheel of their own car with no cover, while a further 6% confess to borrowing someone else’s car without insurance.

Shockingly, 14% of those who owned up to having driven without insurance admitted they did so because they were unaware for the need for insurance behind the wheel.

Over a quarter (26%) blamed being in between insurance policies as the reason for hitting the road uninsured, while 7% simply couldn’t be bothered to arrange insurance cover.

Twelve per cent couldn’t afford the insurance – compared to six per cent this time last year.

A particular concern is the 7% who believe there is no point having insurance as they don’t think they will have a crash. Additionally, 12% said they just hadn’t got round to renewing their policy yet, and were going to do so at a later date.

Peter Harrison, car insurance expert at MoneySupermarket, said: “It’s astonishing how many drivers are still prepared to hit the road without insurance. Not only is it illegal but you could face thousands of pounds in liability, a conviction, six points on your licence and a hefty fine should you be caught out or be involved in a crash. To make matters worse, uninsured drivers cost the insurance industry £500m each year, which as a result adds an average of £30 to every motorist’s premium.”

Younger motorists are the biggest risk takers with a third of 18-34 year olds (30%) admitting to driving a vehicle they weren’t insured for, compared to just 5% of over 55s. Men were also revealed to be twice as likely to drive with no insurance than women. A fifth (19%) admitted to driving with no cover compared to 10% of female drivers.

Harrison continued: “The cost of insurance premiums for younger drivers will no doubt have influenced the decision from some young drivers to forgo insurance altogether. However, the penalties for not having insurance are great, and could even result in your vehicle being confiscated. Not having insurance, and being caught without it, could result in you not being insurable in the future.”