Tough new enforcement action to crackdown on uninsured drivers has been unveiled by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.
From today, police forces across the country can use automatic number plate recognition cameras to spot and ultimately seize and destroy cars being driven without insurance.
The cameras are linked to a database which contains details of all vehicles registered in the UK which are believed to be uninsured.
Alistair Darling said: "Today we are sending out a very clear message to those who drive without insurance - there is now no place to hide.
"The new powers to link up cameras and the insurance database will make it far easier for police to tell if passing cars are uninsured and take action against the driver.
"On top of these powers we are creating a new offence of keeping a vehicle without insurance. This will be enforced through a new database of insurance details which means that uninsured drivers don't even need to be on the road to be caught.
"It is estimated that every law-abiding motorist pays an extra £30 a year because of uninsured drivers. Drivers are rightly fed-up with those who flout the law and we are determined to rid the roads of this small hardcore of anti-social drivers."
Earlier this year the government gave the police new powers, to seize and ultimately dispose of any vehicle being found driven uninsured.