05-07-2025
'More DIY than B&Q' - Gardai seize vehicle with screwdriver as a gear stick
Gardai made a startling discovery after they pulled over a vehicle in Co Laois earlier this week.
Members of the Laois Road Policing Unit were on patrol on Wednesday when they came across a motorist travelling in a Volkswagen vehicle.
Officers ran the vehicle's details though the Irish Motor Insurance Database, which allows gardai to instantly check whether or not a vehicle is covered by insurance, where they discovered that the car was uninsured.
When gardai pulled over the vehicle, they were shocked to discover that the car was not only being driven without insurance but that the gear stick has been replaced with a screwdriver.
The vehicle was immediately seized with the motorist now facing a series of hefty fines.
Sharing the story on the An Garda Siochana Facebook page, a garda spokesperson said: "Just when you think you've seen it all. Laois RPU stopped this vehicle being driven without insurance yesterday.
"The gear stick was replaced with a screwdriver. This Volkswagen had more DIY than B&Q. The vehicle was seized."
The garda spokesperson added that the vehicle was "dangerous, illegal and not even slightly roadworthy," with the driver now facing a court appearance for a series of traffic offences.
Under the rules of the road, you must have motor insurance to drive a car in your own name or as a named driver on someone else's policy. If you don't, Gardaí have the power to impound your vehicle, serve you with a massive fine and penalty points, and you may even be hit with a jail sentence.
Offences for driving without insurance are prosecuted in court. Failure to display an insurance disc carries an initial fixed charge of €60, which rises to €90 after 28 days.
If you drive while uninsured, you could be fined up to €5,000 and get five penalty points. You could also go to prison for up to six months. The judge may also decide to disqualify you from driving instead of giving you penalty points.
