Warning to over 2MILLION drivers in UK who risk ‘immediate’ £300 fine ahead of September 1 rule change

MILLIONS of drivers risk points on their licence and a hefty fine ahead of an upcoming rule change, research has found. Drivers may unknowingly be putting themselves at risk of breaking the law and could face significant consequences. Data has suggested more illegal test drives are taking place Credit: Getty As new vehicles are set for the ‘76 car plate change, drivers have been warned not to test drive vehicles without insurance. The ’76 plate change comes into force on September 1, and all new vehicles registered between then and February 28th 2027 will have a registration plate number that adds 50 to the current year, rather than the typical 26. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Temporary car insurance company Tempcover has indicated that recent data suggests that unverified test drives could soon top 2 million annually. This comes after estimations that 1.3 million had illegal test drives during the September ’75 plate change and 1.5 million during the March ’26 plate change period. The company has indicated that, in the used car market, this increase is based on more people having extended drives with EV vehicles, most notably with secondhanded vehicles. It has said: “Amid a 67% surge in used EV sales, the ‘diagnostic test drive’ emerges as range-anxious buyers drive an average of 2.8 miles further in an EV. “Nearly half (48%) are driving to public charging points to test real-world battery health and charging functionality before buying.” According to the Government website, it is illegal to drive a vehicle on a road or in a public space without at least 3rd party insurance. Most read in Motors Failure to do so could result in a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points. If prosecuted in court, this could result in an unlimited fine, 6 to 8 penalty points, and a criminal record. Temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, Jake Lambert, reflected on the importance of not assuming you are covered ahead of having a trial test run. He said: “Second-hand electric cars are changing hands at an increasing pace, and buyers looking to grab an EV bargain during the September ’76 number plate change are likely to take longer, diagnostic test drives – covering more miles and driving to public charging points to vet battery performance before handing over their hard earned money. “These extended test drives make proper insurance coverage even more crucial. “Private sellers have no legal obligation to insure a buyer, and relying on outdated policy assumptions without verifying cover leaves drivers at risk of taking to the road without valid insurance. “Securing fully comprehensive, temporary insurance is a simple fix that protects buyers from severe out-of-pocket costs if an accident happens.” Comment now