Mot And Insurance: Are You Legal To Drive?

Driving a vehicle without valid insurance or an up-to-date MOT is a motoring offence in the UK. This can lead to hefty fines, points on your driving licence, wheel clamping, or even vehicle impound and destruction. To avoid this, you can use websites such as IsMyCar.co.uk or the UK Government's free online tool to check your vehicle's MOT and insurance status. All you need is the vehicle's registration number.

How to check if your vehicle is insured

It is essential to know whether your vehicle is insured or not. Nearly every state requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage. Driving without insurance is illegal in almost every state, and if you're in an accident while driving an uninsured vehicle, you will be held financially responsible for any damage you cause. Therefore, it is crucial to verify that you have auto insurance and that payments are current. Here are some ways to check if your vehicle is insured:

Check for an Online Policy

If you know which insurance company you or your family have used in the past, you can start by checking their website. Many insurers offer online accounts where you can log in and review, update, or renew your coverage. If you know the insurance company and the email address associated with your account, you may be able to log in and check if your coverage is up to date.

Search for Existing Physical Documentation

Check your vehicle, especially the glove compartment, center console, and other storage compartments, for insurance paperwork or cards. Most drivers carry some form of proof of car insurance, even if it's just an insurance carrier representative's business card. Even if you find expired paperwork, it gives you a starting point, as you can contact the insurance company to inquire about the current policy.

Review Bank Statements and Emails

Review your bank and credit card statements for the last few months to look for payments made to an insurance company. Similarly, check your emails for any communication from insurance companies regarding policy documents, renewal notices, or updates to coverage.

Contact Local Government Resources

You can request car insurance information from your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Secretary of State, depending on your state of residence. They may be able to provide you with coverage details, but you will likely need to provide information such as your vehicle's license plate number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Check with Major Auto Insurance Companies

If you are unable to find any information through the above methods, you can try calling a few major auto insurance companies. Provide them with basic information such as the VIN or license plate number, and they may be able to tell you if there is already a policy in place.

Get a New Insurance Quote

While this may seem like giving up on finding your current policy, it can actually help you find out. When you request a new quote, insurance agents often access an online report that shows your current insurance carrier and whether your policy has lapsed. They can then inform you of your current insurance carrier.

Request a CLUE Report

A Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report contains up to seven years of history regarding your car insurance claims. It includes your car insurance policy number, details about insured property, and specific information about claim dates and amounts paid out. You can request this report directly from LexisNexis, and it will not affect your credit score.

How to check your vehicle's MOT status

Checking your vehicle's MOT status is a straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Know Your Vehicle's Registration Number:

You will need your vehicle's registration number, also known as its number plate, to check its MOT status. This unique identifier is essential for looking up your vehicle in the database.

Choose an Online Platform:

There are several online platforms available to check your vehicle's MOT status. You can use either the official government website (GOV.UK) or other third-party websites, such as Motorway, webuyanycar, BookMyGarage, or cartaxcheck. Each of these platforms offers a similar service but may provide additional information or features.

Enter the Registration Number:

Once you have selected a platform, enter your vehicle's registration number into the provided tool or form. This will initiate the search for your vehicle's MOT details.

Review the MOT Status and History:

After submitting the registration number, you will be presented with information about your vehicle's MOT status. This typically includes the current MOT expiry date, any advisory or refusal notes, and the MOT history. The MOT history may show previous test results, including pass or fail statuses, mileage recordings, and any issues identified during inspections.

Take Necessary Actions:

Based on the information obtained, you can then take the appropriate actions. If your MOT is due for renewal, you can book an appointment at an approved test centre. If there are any advisory notes or issues identified, you may need to address them to ensure your vehicle remains roadworthy and compliant with legal standards.

It is important to remember that driving a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate is illegal in the UK and can result in penalties, including fines, points on your license, and a driving ban. Therefore, staying on top of your vehicle's MOT status is crucial to avoid any legal repercussions and ensure your vehicle is safe to drive.

How to check your vehicle is taxed

To check if your vehicle is taxed, you can use a free online vehicle tax checker. You will need to enter the vehicle's registration number (number plate) to find out if it is currently taxed and when it is next due. You can also use this service to check the current tax rates for your vehicle. You will need the 11-digit reference number from your vehicle log book (V5C).

It is illegal to drive a vehicle on public roads in the UK without road tax, unless it is exempt or you are driving to a pre-booked MOT test. If you are not using your vehicle on public roads, you do not need to pay road tax, but you must declare it off the road with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) and will receive a car tax refund.

The cost of vehicle tax, also known as road tax or Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), varies depending on several factors, including the CO2 emissions of the vehicle, the type of fuel it uses, and the original list price. Electric vehicles are currently exempt from paying road tax, but this will change in April 2025.

You can tax your vehicle online on the gov.uk website, over the telephone, or at a Post Office. You will need the V5C document or the reminder letter posted out to the vehicle's registered keeper, which will have a reference number. If you are the new keeper of the vehicle and do not have the V5C logbook yet, you can still tax the vehicle using the green 'new keeper's details' slip (V5C/2) from the logbook that was given to you when you bought the vehicle.

What to do if your vehicle details are incorrect

It is important to check that your vehicle is taxed, has a valid MOT, and has the correct insurance in place before driving. You can check these details online using the vehicle enquiry service. You will need the vehicle's registration number (number plate).

If you find that your vehicle details are incorrect, you should take steps to correct them as soon as possible. Here is what you can do:

Incorrect Mileage on MOT Record:

• If your MOT was less than 28 days ago, ask the MOT centre to check the mileage. They can update the record in the MOT database if a mistake has been made.
• If your MOT was more than 28 days ago, report the mistake to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to get it corrected. You will need to email proof of the correct mileage, such as a scan or photo of an invoice for the MOT, an emissions printout, or a vehicle job card from the MOT centre. Ensure that any personal information, such as payment details, is removed or blanked out. Once the DVSA has updated the mileage, you can check your vehicle's MOT history and download or print a corrected MOT certificate.

Incorrect Vehicle Details on MOT Record:

Contact the DVSA if your MOT has the wrong vehicle make or model, or the incorrect country of registration. You can reach them by email at [email protected].

Missing or Incorrect MOT Test Record:

If there is an MOT test missing from your vehicle's MOT history or a test that does not belong to your vehicle, you can email or call the DVSA to have it corrected. Provide your vehicle number plate, vehicle make and model, MOT test number (if known), and the MOT test centre name and address. The DVSA customer service centre can be reached at [email protected] or by telephone at 0300 123 9000, Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 6 pm.

Incorrect Vehicle Details on the Motor Vehicle Register (MVR):

If your vehicle's details are recorded incorrectly on the MVR, you can correct them by sending an Application to Change Vehicle Details (form MR16) to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). Most MR16 forms need to be accompanied by supporting documentation to prove that the information on the MVR is incorrect. For example, if the vehicle model is recorded incorrectly, you will need to provide documents from the manufacturer to support the change.

Incorrect Vehicle Insurance Details:

If there is an issue with your vehicle insurance details, you should contact your insurer directly to correct any errors.

What to do if your vehicle has been stolen

If your vehicle has been stolen, it is understandable to feel distressed. However, it is important to keep a clear head and take the following steps:

Check if your vehicle has been stolen:

First, make sure that your vehicle has indeed been stolen. It is possible that it was moved by a family member, towed away by the council, or borrowed by someone with access to the keys.

Contact the police:

If you are confident that your vehicle has been stolen, call your local police station by dialling 101. Do not dial 999 unless it is an absolute emergency. Provide them with your vehicle's registration number, make, model, colour, and any other relevant information. The police will provide you with a crime reference number, which you will need for your insurance claim.

Contact your insurance company:

Alert your insurance company about the theft and provide them with the crime reference number. They will guide you through the process of making an insurance claim. Check your motor insurance policy to see if it covers the cost of a replacement vehicle and if you are eligible for a courtesy car.

Contact the lender and/or registered owner:

If the vehicle is not owned by you, contact the lender and/or registered owner of the vehicle. Inform them about the theft and put them in touch with your insurance company. They will advise on the next steps and any additional information required.

Gather vehicle information:

Collect all the information you have about your vehicle, including service records, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and any vehicle upgrades. Photos or videos of the stolen vehicle can be very helpful for the police.

Contact the DVLA:

If your insurance company pays out a claim for your stolen vehicle, you must inform the DVLA. If your vehicle had a personalised registration number that you wish to keep, apply to the DVLA to retain it. You must do this within 2 years and 6 months of informing them about the theft.

Remember, it is essential to stay calm and follow these steps to increase the chances of recovering your stolen vehicle and resolving the situation effectively.

Frequently asked questions