Birmingham contains three of the top five postcode areas in the UK for uninsured drivers.

The official figures were released by the Motor Insurance Database as the Government prepares a new clampdown on motorists without vehicle insurance.

Small Heath (B10), Handsworth (B21) and Saltley (B8) are all among the country's five worst areas for drivers without insurance.

The other two areas, occupying first and second place in the league of shame, are Barkerend, in Bradford, and West Gorton, in Manchester.

The top five worst offending regions are:
1. Metropolitan London
2. Merseyside
3. Greater Manchester
4. West Midlands
5. West Yorkshire

Although regionally ranked fourth, the West Midlands accounts for half of the top ten worst offending postcodes.

Now a change in the law means that it is legally required for anyone that owns a car, van, motorbike, motorhome or truck to have insurance at all times or to declare the vehicle off the road.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will compare their records with the Motor Insurance Database (MID) to identify keepers of uninsured vehicles and those caught out could face a fixed penalty of £100, their vehicle being seized and destroyed and a maximum fine of £1,000.

A television campaign will carry the message and, from Monday, June 20, motorists whose vehicles appear to be uninsured will receive a warning letter.

It is estimated that uninsured and untraced drivers kill 160 people and injure 23,000 every year. There are currently 1.4 million uninsured vehicles in the UK.

Uninsured driving also adds about £30 a year to every motorist's insurance premium amounting to more than £400m a year in additional premiums. 

Owners can check their vehicle is recorded as ‘insured’ using the free service at www.askMID.com

More information at the Motor Insurers Bureau website at www.mib.org.uk.