Uninsured drivers face crackdown

[me283]

Originally Posted by NitroNutter

What really gets me is theres been an easy way to administer MOT/Insurance and road fund licence yet how ever many governments have been in power since the introduction of these requirements not one of them has thought how to combat the problem in a clear and concise way.

Today you can get a dodgy MOT pretty easy, you can go buy an insurance policy 3rd party only basic cover saying you only do 2000-3000 miles a year, and there by the monthly premiums are cheaper, you pay the first payment usually mounting to about 2 months, get your Tax disc and now it appears your all legal.

And thats the ones who arent blatantly driving around with nothing.

The way to do this so reducing who is getting away with either is pretty simple. And even easier today if theres now a national MOT database.

Abolish road fund licence as we know it.
Add a 1p per litre to cover a portion of the lost licence,
add a few % to the Vehicle insurance premium Tax to ensure the government break even.
Insurance cannot be obtained without the vehicle having a valid MOT in the database, the underwriters would have access to that database. The underwriters then send out an Insurance disc similar to the Tax disc of today, if the 12 months are paid up front then the disc covers that, if the premium is paid by DD then a maximum of a quartely Insurance disc is automatically sent out as and when required. As the MOT database will also have milage details no milage tricks can be pulled either.
An underwriter has to be government approved anyway so have as much credibility as a post office
This is now a fair Tax as those who drive less pay less by the fuel and reduced milage insurance, but obviously pay some more if they have a higher grouped car for insurance.

Well it's not a bad idea. One other benefit would be that if you have an accident you can see the other car's insurance details immediately (sore point with me at the moment!). However, it could also be open to abuse, on the insurance side of things.

[Jules]

I think that any one caught driving a car without insurance should have the car taken off them untill they can prove it is insured

[AndrewJ]

So if I going through my test bought a car ( which i plan on doing ) for when I pass and have to park it on my road.

I would have to insure it? or declare it?

[Jules]

As far as I know if it is on the road it has to be taxed and insured even if you do not drive it

[me283]

Originally Posted by Jules

As far as I know if it is on the road it has to be taxed and insured even if you do not drive it

That's right. And to tax it, you must have insurance and valid MOT.

[marky]

But on the bright side saxo, A person that has held a full uk driving licence for over 3yrs can sit in the passenger seat while you drive

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Jules

I think that any one caught driving a car without insurance should have the car taken off them untill they can prove it is insured

No, I wouldn't be happy with that. If I was on my way to work or another important appointment and was pulled over by the police for a spot check only to find the database which stores my details was incorrect which made it appear I was uninsured then I'd be more than a little annoyed to have my car taken away.

[marky]

Originally Posted by Jules

I think that any one caught driving a car without insurance should have the car taken off them untill they can prove it is insured

I take it thats after the 7 days you get to produce your insurance

[me283]

Originally Posted by marky

I take it thats after the 7 days you get to produce your insurance

I was in Poland last week, and it is the law there that you must have your insurance with you at all times. If you are stopped and you cannot produce it, the police may impound the car on the spot. They don't always do it, but they have the power to.

[AndrewJ]

Originally Posted by marky

But on the bright side saxo, A person that has held a full uk driving licence for over 3yrs can sit in the passenger seat while you drive

Could be handy really if I need to dump it off road will use my parents unused driveway lol.

I fancy a TD engined car about M reg but less then £500, not bothered about dings and dangfs just mechanically sound with power steering.

[marky]

I think the whole insurance database is a great idea, it would save police time in stopping people for spot checks, and then if they do stop you, you still have 7 days just incase theres a mistake.

[zoombini]

IMO this won't make much difference.
Those thatd rive without it will just not pay up anyway.

[Jules]

It should be made law that you carry your documents or maybe photocopies of them at all times

[Angua]

Originally Posted by Jules

It should be made law that you carry your documents or maybe photocopies of them at all times

If photocopies they should be signed by a notary (to make sure they are not forged).


BTW Jules nice to see you back from your hols

[MovedGoalPosts]

Insurers already work with the police to maintain a database linked to the PNC system which police can access which indicates if a car might be uninsured.

Problem is that in this country it is a given right that we are not obliged to carry any driving documents with us. Technically if a police officer asks a driver to show his licence, the failure to provide is an offence, but the 7 day wonder process is the legal get out.

Blame the civil liberties bods who would object very strongly to us carrying any driving documents, licence, insurance, etc, just like they object to anyone having to carry the Identity cards if they come in (which IMO would make those pointless - but that's ). Changing that arrangement would be a major change in UK law, one that is most unlikely.