No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no You cannot take a car to a MOT station without insurance, and if you do, you risk being prosecuted, facing fixed-penalty fines, and even having your automobile seized and destroyed.
There is considerable ambiguity in this area, but that does not give you permission to breach the law. While it is allowed to drive a SORN automobile with no MOT to a MOT station for a pre-arranged appointment, the car must be insured. Furthermore, if you intend to drive your car to a mechanic without a MOT or tax, you should verify your insurance paperwork, as some companies will declare your insurance useless if you don’t have these. You’re effectively driving without insurance if your insurance is void, so double-check with your insurance provider.
If you discover that you are not insured to drive without a MOT or tax, obtain a quote for temporary auto insurance from a firm that will allow you to transport your vehicle to the garage.
Can you drive SORN car to MOT?
Yes, even with a SORN in effect, you will be permitted to take the car to a garage for a MOT appointment.
However, it is critical that the MOT be scheduled because if you are stopped and questioned by police while driving, you will be able to explain the circumstances and the garage will be able to confirm your appointment.
You may only drive a car with a SORN on a public road to attend a scheduled MOT or other testing appointment.
Driving a SORN vehicle on the road in any other circumstance carries a maximum fine of £2,500.
Does a SORN car need to be insured?
If your car is kept off the road and declared as such, you do not need to insure it ( SORN ). ‘Continuous insurance enforcement’ is the name of this rule.
Can I cancel my car insurance if my car is SORN?
When you register your automobile as a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) with the DVLA, you’re effectively registering it as off the road, which means it won’t be driven or parked on a public road.
If you declare your automobile as a SORN, you can cancel your insurance; but, you will be responsible for all costs incurred if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. If your insurance is coming to an end, it may be worthwhile to keep the car insured in order to collect your no-claims bonus for the year.
How do I get my car back on the road after SORN?
If you’ve put a SORN on your vehicle and want to get it back on the road, you’ll need to have it insured. In addition, a MOT is necessary.
The SORN will expire as soon as you apply for tax with your V5C, allowing you to drive the car again once you are insured.
If you purchase a vehicle with a prior owner’s SORN, it will expire when you purchase the vehicle. If you want to keep the car off the road, you’ll need to create a fresh SORN using the processes above.
Do you get 14 days grace for an MOT?
Many people assume that lapsed MOTs have a two-week grace period, which can provide drivers time to get their car scheduled for a MOT test. Unfortunately, the ‘MOT grace period,’ contrary to common perception, is a hoax.
What happens if you get caught driving a SORN car?
A vehicle with a SORN can only be driven on a public road to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing session. If you use it on the road for any other reason, you could face a court case and a fine of up to £2,500.
It’s also illegal to be the registered keeper of a car without insurance unless you’ve told the DVLA that it’s SORN, according to law known as Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE).
CIE was first implemented in 2011 to tackle the growing number of uninsured drivers on our roadways. Uninsured drivers are regarded to be more unsafe than insured drivers and to cause more accidents.
The DVLA and the Motor Insurance Database (MID) are able to cross-reference data and records, making it simple to locate and prosecute uninsured drivers who have not declared SORN.
If you’re caught without insurance, you’ll receive an Insurance Advisory Letter (IAL), which will inform you that you’ll be punished if you don’t act within a certain amount of time.
If you don’t, you could risk a £100 fixed penalty, your car being wheel-clamped, impounded, or destroyed, or a court prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000. According to MID figures released in 2020, approximately 137,000 uninsured vehicles were seized across the UK in 2019.
Driving a car without a valid MOT is also prohibited. A fixed £60 penalty notice, a fine of up to £1,000, or having your car confiscated are all possible penalties.
The only time you can drive without a MOT is if you’re on your way to get your vehicle MOTed. If you’re stopped by the cops, you’ll need to show that you have a scheduled appointment.
It’s also worth knowing that driving an untaxed vehicle on the road is illegal, and your vehicle could be detained or clamped, with a fine of £80 (which can be reduced on appeal or increased up to £1,000).
If you own a classic car, take a look at our fast guide to the 2018 MOT changes for historic cars.
Can you drive without insurance UK?
Driving a car on a road or in a public location without at least third-party insurance is banned. Even if the vehicle is insured, you could be fined if you are not properly insured to drive it.
Do you have to be the registered owner of a vehicle to insure it UK?
Some insurers will only insure a car’s registered keeper as the primary driver; if this is not the case, read the policy terms carefully before purchasing. You don’t have to own a car to be the registered keeper, which is defined as the person whose name appears on the DVLA registration certificate (DVLA V5C).
Can I stop my car insurance at any time?
Whether you determine that switching your car insurance is the best option, you should check to see if there are any penalties for switching car insurance providers before the end of the coverage period, such as a cancellation charge. Fortunately, most vehicle insurance companies allow you to terminate your policy at any time as long as you notify them in advance.
While most vehicle insurers will reimburse any unused premiums, others may levy a fee if you cancel your coverage in the midst of the term. Before canceling your policy, check with your company’s customer service department or your agent to see whether there are any cancellation restrictions.
If you learn that you’ll be charged a penalty if you cancel in the middle of your term, you might want to reconsider switching plans. However, switching carriers may make financial sense if you can discover a new insurance with a premium that covers any cancellation fees paid by your former carrier.