New penalties for owners of uninsured vehicles

[mk1]

Len (Speedwheel) passed this on to me,

Well worth a read by all owners of classic cars in the UK.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Ow ... M&CRE=Furl

[Simon776]

What a complete waste of time for all concerned.

We already have a penalty for driving an uninsured vehicle (and rightly so) and with most plod mobiles being ANPR equipped these days I don't see how this will make any difference to keeping uninsured vehicles off the road.

[ChrisM]

So does this mean that my currently unsorned, uninsured and untaxed pre-sorn declaration vehicle - been off the road since '84, will now have to be sorned each year?

[Gray]

So they are seizing 180000 uninsured cars a year, they must have plenty of storage!!

[InimiaD]

So does this mean that my currently unsorned, uninsured and untaxed pre-sorn declaration vehicle - been off the road since '84, will now have to be sorned each year?

My same thoughts.

[guru_1071]

So does this mean that my currently unsorned, uninsured and untaxed pre-sorn declaration vehicle - been off the road since '84, will now have to be sorned each year?

My same thoughts.

no, because cars only need to be sornd if they where taxed in 1998

[ChrisM]

If I am correct then DVLA are about to get buried under a mountain of SORN applications for all the "long term projects" sitting festering across the British Isles. I don't see that the system will be sophisticated enough to separate pre SORN declaration eligibility vehicles from the rest. Much easier to just send out threatening letters and let Joe public sort it out. I have three pre-sorn declaration cars.

[guru_1071]

chris

if you try and declare sorn on a 'pre sorn' car it just wont let you do it online.

whenever i buy a new car ive just got into the habit of sorning them straight away on line (its not a exactly a difficult process!) as soon as the v5 comes back.

then when the reminder comes each year i just do it straight away - i can manage to look after my fleet!

[GraemeC]

Rich - a word of caution as I have been burnt before:

Set up your own reminder system via email, phone, calendar whatever - DVLA only send the reminders out as good will and have no written policy to do so.

Every now and again the reminders don't arrive (not sent / lost in post / whatever) and you carry on blissfully un aware your SORN has expired until the fine comes through. They then advise you it is your responsibilty to ensure the SORN is made on time and no reminder is no excuse (as they don't have to send them). You cough up the £80, or whatever it is, and swear profusely to anyone you see for the next few weeks!

With a number of cars in your stable, it is probably only a matter of time.......

[guru_1071]

g

i have a list with dates of when they need doing.

once a year i check each on on the dvla site and check the dates so i know im ok.

ive never not had one come through, but, like you say, it pays to check!

that, and only ever buy cars thats havent been on the road for years

[wil_h]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Basically stopps people getting insurance to get tax then cancelling the insurance. In the past it was easy to get away with both, but now because of SORN and roadside checks/cameras it's not so easy.

I'm all in favour of anything that stops people driving uninsured.

As above, won't affect cars that have been off the road prior to SORN being conceived.

[Ronnie]

But when do all of us that drive insured vehicles stop paying the thirty pounds

[Smiffy]

Just as your SORN notification can be lost in the post, so can the form you send they back declaring it SORN

Used this explanation a couple of times now, even after they have sent me the fine notice. I just rang and said I'd posted it, actually suggested, next time they should send a Recorded delivery S.A.E. with the notification.

[graeme1293]

Here in New Zealand car insurance is not compulsary.

So more people get full cover and the third party is really cheap. We have two cars (both Renault Scenics therefore not worth full insurance) and it costs $220 pa for the two. So about $110 each - I think thats 43 quid per car per year.

Its a much superior system - if you value your car you fully insure it as you know you can be hit by some chump without insurance.

Making 3rd party compulsary means the insurance companies cartel to charge a fotrune. How much do you pay for 3rd party cover - more than 43 pounds I bet?

And BTW if we go another year without a claim our premium will go lower!

[ChrisM]

Thanks for the info Guru.

I will keep an eye on this and probably send off for SORN on my cars. As you say, it's no big deal to do. I just have never bothered as they have all been off the road for so long. Alternatively I could just finish them..... Now there is a novel idea !

Cheers: Chris

[ace01]

Out of interest the new V5c does not allow an individual to scrap their own car, for bits or whatever. It has to be done by a licensed scrap dealer. The only way out, unless of course you know someone in that trade, is to sorn the car.

There is an organisation, not sure of their web address, that will sorn your cars for you year on year, cost is a few pence per car and if they forget, they pay the fine. I'll see if I can find the blurb I read.

[guru_1071]

The only way out,

what will happen, of course is that people will simply scrap the car and fill the v5c in showing that the car was sold to

mr smith
3 any house
odd street
anytown
(obviously a more realistic address than this!)

'thats what the buyer put officer.........'


ive heard of it happening a few times already............

[mk1]

and only ever buy cars thats havent been on the road for years

Rich,

Shouldn't that read "I only own cars that haven't been on the road for years".