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My record is good, just no paperwork. In fact, my insurance carrier is still covering me, because they have no reason not to, because I'm a good driver with no claims.

No insurance carrier would cover you because you don't have a license. If and when you came up for renewal, they'd cancel you in a heartbeat. The first thing the insurance agent across the hall from me does when someone wants a car insurance policy is to ask for a copy of the person's driver's license and then runs a motor vehicle records check on that person (about 75% of the people lie about their driving record, BTW). No license, no coverage--it's as simple as that. If, for example, your spouse had a driver's license and was insured, and you were driving and you had the accident, there'd be no insurance coverage of the accident. They'd deny the claim. And if you're in an accident, even if it's not your fault, and you have no license, besides the tickets you'll get from the cops, the other person's insurance company will say you're at fault because you're not a licensed driver and the person they cover is.

Check with your insurance agent, if you have one, about this. But the insurance agent I know spends enough time in my office (and me in his--he makes better coffee than I do), ranting and raving about these situations.

I'm licensed. I'm insured. I was painting a scenario for you. You are right. EVENTUALLY, the insurance/license thing would catch up with you. But in reality, insurance renewals and license renewals are not concurrent and one COULD drive with insurance but without a license.

My main question was regarding the safety of the driver WHO IS A GOOD DRIVER, but currently without the paperwork. With all the BAD LICENSED DRIVERS on the road, what good does licensing do for safety?

No insurance carrier would cover you because you don't have a license.

Is it truly moral to force a person to pay for the mistakes of others?

Or is it morally just because of the 'big picture'? (This argument sound familiar? It should.)