uk driving without insurance (not the ordinary case..help!!)?

[billy chung]

when you've read the title.. you'd probably just think another idiot has just been caught by the police.. no sympathy etc... but please.. hear me out...

the car on my policy is a honda civic that has just been bought recently. but it was broken into 2 weeks ago and the window got smashed. Now, before i bought the civic, clio was my main car and i still have it. So i asked my insurance company what to do... in the end they sorted out a temporary insurance for my clio for a week and during that time im not allow to drive my civic apart from going for repair.
but i stupidly kept thinking it was for a month rather then a week because the term "short term/temporary" insurance has always appeared to me as one month in my mind for some reason.

so today, i got caught driving my clio. and during the whole conversation with the police, i still genuinely believed i still had insurance and i've been telling him that. But after phoning insurance company, i know im wrong
What will happen?
the thing i want to know most is if i do get convicted, will i get a criminal record? I am a medical student and if i get a criminal record, my whole career will be in jeopardy.

[roger k]

Tell the insurance company NOW, they might help you, I run 2x cars & whichever I use it`s insured, as my company says I can only drive one at a time, the other is covered for fire & theft while not in use.
If insurance wont help you, you will get done, amazed they never took car off you there & then

[lyndseybirds]

My husband was caught driving without insurance, we wasn't aware that our policy was out of date (needed renewing) as we had just moved address and the renewal notice was sent to old one, he drove for 3 days without the insurance and we were stopped by the police for not having a back window wiper, (i didn't know this was an offence) and the police man checked that we were insured. anyway after the court hearing he was given a fine of £100 and 6 points. We could prove to the courts that the AA had sent renewal notice to old address which helped us, but now we have to declare this motoring offence when we eventually get a new car so our insurance will now be twice as much..... Thanks AA

[jakedonahue]

When you go in to the station to show them your documents, be prepared to grovel and hope that they have some mercy on you- This probably won't work and you'll be prosecuted for driving without insurance and get a fine, some points and maybe a driving ban.
When you go to court, be polite, dress smartly, be honest and apologise- this may encourage the magistrate to be more lenient.
Your insurance will be more expensive for a few years but is a non-recordable offence so will not affect your future employment prospects..
Always read your documents! Good luck

Edit- As above.. It is a criminal conviction but Is classed as non-recordable (like speeding). It will show up on a CRB check but won't affect your medical career.

[Hedge Witch]

You will be charged with driving without insurance, making a mistake about it is no excuse sadly.

[leambi]

You will be treated like anyone else that drives without insurance, genuine mistake or not this is exactly what you have done.

[Chariotmender]

You'll get done. Ignorance of the law/fact is no excuse.

[Scouse]

If it goes to Court you will be fined and have points on your licence. it is an absolute offence. There are in fact no special circumstances. An honest response may ease the penalty slightly

[JOHN B]

You will probably get done, 'cus the police are cold hearted and couldn't give a fu k. They only deal on 'facts' not reasons, so you will probably get 3 points on your licence and a £60 fine. But put it all in writing and put it to 'um as nicely as you can and on a very good day you might be lucky. I had a clean licence until last year. Bought a black VW Golf, it's a police magnet!!! Had a speeding fine £60 3 points, and a parking fine £30 for just parking for 2 minuites, literally 2 minuites. Would the guy listen, no, basta..s. If i saw a police person drowning, I would drop a ton weight onto their head to push 'um down.

[PrettyKitty]

Unfortunately, ignorance is not accepted as a defence, so you will just have to tell the truth and hope that you get off with a caution. However, be prepared to have a fine put your way.

It was a simple mistake, but a silly one. Eat as much humble pie as possible with the police!!