New motor insurance regulations (Off Road Notice) – June 2011

From June 2011 (following new regulations in April 2011) all vehicles registered in the UK must be insured at all times or declared off the road with a statutory off road notice (SORN)

The registered keeper of a vehicle is responsible for checking that their vehicle has up to date insurance, and will be liable to receive an Insurance Advisory Letter (IAL) or a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) if they fail to prove that they have either valid insurance or a valid SORN.  The registered keeper of an apparently uninsured vehicle will continue to receive FPN’s until their vehicle is insured.

DVLA – The DVLA’s register will be frequently checked against the Motor Insurance Database to identify vehicles that are not insured

Registered Keeper – A letter will be sent to any registered keeper whose vehicle appears not to have valid insurance or a valid SORN.  The letter will explain that:

• If they have valid insurance, they need to use www.askMID.com to check that their details are entered correctly, and if they are not insured to advise their insurer immediately
• If they are no longer the registered keeper of the vehicle, they must inform the DVLA
• They will also be given the opportunity to explain that they are exempt.

Comparison – Once the keeper has been given time to respond a further comparison will be made, and if the vehicle still has no valid insurance or SORN a £100 FPN will be sent to the registered keeper (reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days).

Enforcement Action – If the vehicle continues to be uninsured, the keeper will become liable for further enforcement action, including:

• Their vehicle being clamped, seized and destroyed
• Court prosecution and a fine up to £1,000

Exemptions

A vehicle is exempt from CIE regulations if it:

• Has a valid SORN
• Is registered in NI, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
• Was exempted from SORN
• Is recorded as stolen and not recovered by the Police
• Is between keepers
• Is scrapped
• Is held in stock by an authorised Motor Dealer

For further information please contact ourselves at mail@lwood.co.uk or on 01274 515747.