North Wales Police joins national crackdown on uninsured drivers

North Wales Police has become the first police force in Wales to join Operation Scalis, a UK-wide initiative led by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) to tackle uninsured driving and improve road safety.

Operation Scalis brings together roads policing teams across the country to target uninsured vehicles using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and dedicated enforcement activity. The initiative aims to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on UK roads through both enforcement and public education.

North Wales Police currently seizes an average of 82 uninsured vehicles each month. Through participation in Operation Scalis, the Force aims to exceed these figures and further reduce the risks posed by uninsured and unlicensed drivers.

Under the scheme, North Wales Police will focus on postal areas identified by MIB data as having higher levels of uninsured driving. The operation is supported by MIB funding, allowing officers to dedicate additional time and resources to enforcement days.

During the first day of action, several vehicles were seized, including:

• A newly licensed driver whose insurance was cancelled due to non-compliance with telematics requirements.
• A disqualified driver found to be driving with invalid insurance.
• A recovery truck operated under a personal motor trade policy outside permitted conditions.

In addition to targeted enforcement, officers use a range of tools to identify uninsured vehicles, including Navigate – MIB’s central record of all live motor insurance policies – along with Operation Tutelage markers and predictive analytics based on police intelligence.

Sergeant Alun Jones from the Roads Crime Unit said the initiative would make a significant impact on road safety across the region.

“Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads remains our priority, and removing uninsured drivers helps us do just that,” he said. “Many people see uninsured driving as a victimless crime, but it isn’t. Uninsured drivers are more likely to cause collisions and are often involved in wider road crime.

“We witness far too often the devastation road collisions bring to families and communities. By tackling uninsured driving, we’re protecting the public and making our roads safer for everyone.”

Hayley Sutcliffe, Law Enforcement Liaison Officer at MIB, welcomed North Wales Police’s involvement.

“We’re pleased to welcome North Wales Police as the first Welsh force to join this national initiative,” she said. “Uninsured driving is not just a legal issue — it has real consequences for road safety and for victims left vulnerable when collisions occur.

“By working together, we can more effectively identify uninsured vehicles and raise awareness of the consequences of driving without cover.”

Drivers caught without valid insurance face a £300 fixed penalty fine, six penalty points, vehicle seizure, and potential court prosecution, which can result in unlimited fines or driving bans. Offenders can also expect their future insurance premiums to increase by around £1,000.

Motorists can check whether their vehicle is insured by visiting the MIB’s central database.

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