James May in court for no insurance
James May in court for no insurance
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Discussion

aceofspades1

Original Poster:

390 posts

52 months

Thursday 26th March
quotequote all
https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/james-may-settl...

Are the news articles on James May missing some context?

At face value, seems like he just forgot to insure a motorbike he had parked up in his garage. Did he then choose to ignore the letters from the DVLA trying to fine him?

AFAIK, it's a £50 fine for failing to insure or correctly SORN a vehicle. Seems harsh to have to turn up to court about it

the tribester

2,952 posts

117 months

Thursday 26th March
quotequote all
I understand he was summonsed to court, entered a not guilty plea, but has settled the case without a trial. I imagine he's just paid the original penalty.

martinbiz

3,703 posts

176 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
the tribester said:
I understand he was summonsed to court, entered a not guilty plea, but has settled the case without a trial. I imagine he's just paid the original penalty.
It was settled out of court so he wouldn't have entered any plea. Yes I would imagine he just paid the enhanced DVLA penalty for breaching the CIE rules. The usual enthusiastic reporting, never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Jeremy-75qq8

1,779 posts

123 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
I have a 50 plus year old Honda st70 in the garage that I have had since childhood. It was registered in my dad's name then but I think it is in my name now. No idea what address.

Am I supposed to insure it ?

Not moved for 40 years.

Bill

58,895 posts

286 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
Jeremy-75qq8 said:
I have a 50 plus year old Honda st70 in the garage that I have had since childhood. It was registered in my dad's name then but I think it is in my name now. No idea what address.

Am I supposed to insure it ?

Not moved for 40 years.
If it's been off the road since before the SORN rules came in it's fine.

Riley Blue

23,214 posts

257 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
Bill said:
Jeremy-75qq8 said:
I have a 50 plus year old Honda st70 in the garage that I have had since childhood. It was registered in my dad's name then but I think it is in my name now. No idea what address.

Am I supposed to insure it ?

Not moved for 40 years.
If it's been off the road since before the SORN rules came in it's fine.
How do you prove that? In my case it's easy as the car I have that is neither SORN'd nor insured is in a state of total disassemblement - no engine, no interior, no glass etc. Perhaps James's bike is similar?

Bill

58,895 posts

286 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
Riley Blue said:
How do you prove that? In my case it's easy as the car I have that is neither SORN'd nor insured is in a state of total disassemblement - no engine, no interior, no glass etc. Perhaps James's bike is similar?
When it was last taxed, I guess.

SS427 Camaro

8,666 posts

201 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
Jeremy-75qq8 said:
I have a 50 plus year old Honda st70 in the garage that I have had since childhood. It was registered in my dad's name then but I think it is in my name now. No idea what address.

Am I supposed to insure it ?

Not moved for 40 years.
Then sell it to me…..!

sixor8

8,657 posts

299 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
Since it was an old bike, it would be £0 VED.

I'm assuming the insurance expired and he forgot to renew it. scratchchin If a vehicle is SORN (or untaxed since before it was invented in 1998), it doesn't have to be insured. I don't understand how it came to need a court appearance, or non appearance it seems. Perhaps he was abroad / letter was lost, and the time to pay the fine expired before court action?

carinaman

25,293 posts

203 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
Is driving without insurance a criminal offence and a mandatory six points?

paul_c123

2,536 posts

24 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
carinaman said:
Is driving without insurance a criminal offence and a mandatory six points?
James May was not driving without insurance.

carinaman

25,293 posts

203 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
paul_c123 said:
carinaman said:
Is driving without insurance a criminal offence and a mandatory six points?
James May was not driving without insurance.
So it's just 'keeping it' not riding it?

Thanks for the clarification.

I've been looking at images of orange GT750 Kettles.

_Rodders_

5,100 posts

50 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
What a waste of time and resources.

Jeremy-75qq8

1,779 posts

123 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
Bill said:
If it's been off the road since before the SORN rules came in it's fine.
Good to know thanks !

Jeremy-75qq8

1,779 posts

123 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
SS427 Camaro said:
Then sell it to me ..!
Original flower seat. Sentimental value I am afraid !

donkmeister

13,107 posts

131 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
I've got a (modern) car that I've SORN'd no fewer than three times that still doesn't show up as SORN. I've tried emails to the DVLA, they just tell me it's not recorded as SORN and direct me to the process. Hence why I've SORN'd it three times now. Last insured less than 10 years ago.

I gave up trying about 5 years ago, never had any threats of fines. It's registered to my home address, I have the V5 and so on. I've SORN'D several other cars at the same address. All very weird.

agtlaw

7,431 posts

237 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
martinbiz said:
It was settled out of court so he wouldn't have entered any plea. Yes I would imagine he just paid the enhanced DVLA penalty for breaching the CIE rules. The usual enthusiastic reporting, never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
SJPN issued. Plea entered online (or by post). Court hearing. D attends court and agrees an 'out of court settlement' with the prosecuting authority. Case adjourned. If D pays as agreed then proceedings are discontinued.







Edited by agtlaw on Saturday 28th March 03:35

John D.

21,160 posts

240 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
What has the DVLA got to do with insurance?

How did the bike not comply with insurance requirements?

agtlaw

7,431 posts

237 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
John D. said:
What has the DVLA got to do with insurance?
Wow. CIE offence.

John D.

21,160 posts

240 months

Friday 27th March
quotequote all
agtlaw said:
John D. said:
What has the DVLA got to do with insurance?
Wow. CIE offence.
Never knew that was thing (obviously!).