UK driving without insurance penalties.

February 17, 2006 12:38 AM

A friend, who is still within their two years probationary period, bought a car at auction recently. Stupidly, they did not have the proper insurance to drive it home, and were stopped by the police. What is the most likely outcome?

I have read the guide here and it sounds very much like they will receive 6 points, a fine, and have their license revoked until they take a retest. They have been asked to present their details at a police station.

Is there any scope for leniency here, given the circumstances? Is the fine and license revokation always applied?

posted by viama to travel & transportation (5 comments total)

You have a probationary period of 2 years for all friends?

My insurance allows me to buy a car and let them know within 30 days to add it to the policy, however it's covered right away. At least according to my agent, I've never read the small print.

If this happened to me, I'd get a letter from my agent saying I WAS insured and be done with it.
posted by thilmony at 6:07 AM on February 17, 2006

thilmony: "You have a probationary period of 2 years for all friends?"

In the UK, after you pass the driving test, there's a two year period before you get your full license. If you get 6 penalty points or more during that period, you have to take the driving test again.
posted by Plutor at 6:21 AM on February 17, 2006

I guess his best bet is to plead leniency with the magistrates. I suppose he could argue that it was an error of judgement, rather than an error of driving, and as such making him resit the test is pointless - and could they please let him off with 3 points and a bigger fine? I don't think the magistrates have any discretion about probationary drivers losing their licence if they get 6 points - but its certainly worth appealing to their better nature. I would guess your local CAB might be a good source of advice, or indeed your friend may qualify for legal aid.

My two years as a probationary driver expired yesterday!
posted by prentiz at 9:23 AM on February 17, 2006

Sounds like something that may be at the discretion of the police when presented with the details and, failing that, a magistrate. Provided they have some documentation that will prove they just purchased the vehicle (a receipt or whatever you get at an auction) I can't see why a rational person would not lift the fine/probationary period for your friend.

Did they receive anything from the police when they were stopped (a ticket perhaps?). A lot of tickets have information on the back that might cover this situation. If not, there is usually contact information that would probably be a lot more helpful than AskMe.
posted by purephase at 9:36 AM on February 17, 2006

In the US, normal practice is that getting insurance in order by the time you see the judge gets the charge dismissed, unless there was some other violation involved (e.g. an accident).
posted by dhartung at 8:32 PM on February 17, 2006