Police SEIZE a car owned for just 45 minutes – are you at risk?
POLICE were left scratching their heads after pulling over a car in Wiltshire. The orange Vauxhall Corsa had been flagged as having no insurance, prompting the traffic cops to investigate. It turned out the driver had only owned the car for 45 minutes and had forgotten to insure it. Wilts Specialist Ops tweeted: “RPU had […]
POLICE were left scratching their heads after pulling over a car in Wiltshire.
The orange Vauxhall Corsa had been flagged as having no insurance, prompting the traffic cops to investigate.
It turned out the driver had only owned the car for 45 minutes and had forgotten to insure it.
Wilts Specialist Ops tweeted: “RPU had another car off the road today for no insurance after the driver had owned it 45mins.”
They reminded drivers: “it is the case you do actually need to get insurance when you get a new whip.”
It is illegal to drive a car on any public road without insurance, even if you’ve just bought it and are travelling home.
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According to Gov.uk; “It’s illegal to drive a vehicle on a road or in a public place without at least 3rd party insurance.
“Even if the vehicle itself is insured, if you’re not correctly insured to drive it you could get penalised.”
The repercussions for driving without insurance are severe, including points on your licence and a fine.
Gov.uk says: “The police could give you a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points if you’re caught driving a vehicle you’re not insured to drive.
“If the case goes to court you could get and unlimited fine or be disqualified from driving.”
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Citizen’s Advice reminds drivers: “The police can check on the spot if your vehicle is insured using the Motor Insurance Database.
“If it isn’t they can seize it immediately, even if you then arrange insurance at the roadside.
“You’ll have to produce a certificate of insurance and pay charges to get your vehicle back.
If you don’t, the police can dispose of your car 14 days later. If they sell it, you can claim money back from the sale.”
The only situations when a car doesn’t need insurance is if it is SORN and off the road, if it has been off the road since before 1st February 1998, if it has been scrapped, stolen or exported and you have given notice of it or it is in stock at a dealer.