According to the DfT, the number of road users without adequate car and van insurance, or road tax rose from 3.6 per cent of all drivers in 2006 to five per cent in 2007.

MPs have called for the government to introduce targets in a bid to reduce the number of illegal road users. Van insurance customers could see their premiums increase if they are involved in a collision with an uninsured driver.

Louise Ellman, chair of the transport select committee, said: "The department must be clear about identifying its main priorities and showing how progress can be measured."

In related news, Wales on Sunday has reported that more than ten per cent of drivers in the country are using vehicles that have no car or van insurance and road tax.