UK authorities are reminding motorists that new insurance regulations and fines will go into force next month.

New adverts are popping up to ensure that car owners know that from the 20th of June they can be fined for an uninsured vehicle even if it’s not being driven. Officials say that there are currently some 1.4 million uninsured motorists in the United Kingdom.

Under current regulations, uninsured motorists only see prosecution if they’re caught behind the wheel of an uninsured vehicle. Police cars are already equipped with license plate recognition technology that can access a database to check for insurance, however it still takes time for police to enforce the laws.

But the new rules will mean that owners of uninsured vehicles will receive a warning letter from authorities; those that fail to act will face court proceedings and a fine of £100. If the vehicle is still not insured following the fine, even if paid, then the vehicle may be seized, champed and/or destroyed, or the owner may face further court action and a fine of £1,000.

Those who declare their cars to be ‘off road’ will not be prosecuted.

MPs have said the move will enable police to crack down on hardcore insurance offenders. Mike Penning, the road safety minister added that uninsured drivers cost the taxpayer some £500 million annually and said that some 23,000 people were injured and 160 killed last year by drivers without insurance.