Friday, 28 November 2025
The Risks of Driving Uninsured Commercial Vehicles in Ireland
Around 15% of commercial vehicles in Ireland are uninsured or not on the National Fleet Database. Learn why commercial insurance is crucial for your business.
If you run a business with vans on Irish roads, staying insured is essential. The latest data from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) shows that around 15% of commercial vehicles are either uninsured or not listed on the National Fleet Database (NFD). This amounts to roughly 108,671 out of 710,708 vehicles. That’s about one in every six commercial vehicles. For business owners, this is a serious reminder to check your van insurance and ensure all vehicles are properly covered.
Understanding the National Fleet Database and MIBI’s Role
The NFD is part of the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), a system designed to make it easier for law enforcement to detect uninsured vehicles. The MIBI manages the database and monitors both private and commercial vehicle insurance. For commercial fleets, vehicle details must be uploaded to the National Fleet Database. Fleet owners who fail to do this can face fines of up to €500 per vehicle.
The introduction of this system has already had a big impact. For private vehicles, the number of uninsured cars on Irish roads has nearly halved, dropping from 8.3% in 2022 to 4.2% in 2024 (MIBI report).
The Scale of the Issue for Commercial Vehicles
While private vehicle insurance compliance has improved, commercial vehicles remain a challenge. According to MIBI, there are 710,708 commercial vehicles in Ireland. Of these, 108,671 are either uninsured or not properly listed on the NFD. This means that around 15.3% of commercial vehicles are breaking insurance laws.
These vehicles are often part of fleet or motor trade policies. In some cases, insurance is tied to individual vehicles. In other cases, insurers allow coverage to transfer across a fleet. Either way, the details must be correctly uploaded to the database to comply with the law.
Why Proper Van Insurance Matters
Having the right insurance is about more than meeting legal requirements. It protects your business from financial loss if one of your vehicles is involved in an accident. It also gives peace of mind to your drivers, ensuring they are protected on the road. Businesses with uninsured vehicles risk heavy fines, legal action, and reputational damage.
Even if your fleet is properly insured, it’s important to ensure every vehicle is correctly listed on the NFD.
Gardaí can now check insurance status in seconds, and vehicles that are not compliant can be seized. More information about vehicle insurance regulations is available on Gov.ie.
Steps for Fleet Owners
Fleet owners should take proactive steps to stay compliant:
- Ensure all vehicles are included on the National Fleet Database.
- Verify each vehicle has a valid insurance policy.
- Keep documentation up to date for audits or checks.
- Consider comprehensive insurance that covers accidents, theft, and liability.
By taking these steps, businesses can avoid penalties and ensure their operations run smoothly.
The MIBI data highlights that while Ireland is making progress in reducing uninsured private vehicles, a significant number of commercial vans remain non-compliant. For business owners, this is a clear signal to review your commercial insurance policies and ensure all vehicles are listed correctly on the database.
Protect your business, drivers, and fleet by investing in reliable van insurance in Ireland. Explore Insure My Van today to get a quote and make sure your fleet is fully covered and compliant with the law.
