Failure to Insure FPN

[Eski1991]

Just opened a lovely brown envelope from our friends at the DVLA

£50 FPN rising to £100 if not paid soon enough. Call me ignorant but I had no idea what I was doing was illegal.

I stored my Triumph for the last few months in a locked garage on private property and can categorically state it has not moved since the insurance lapsed in July. I left the tax running as I had hoped to get back on the bike by now but just haven't had time due to other commitments.

The FPN states I should have SORNed the vehicle in July but I cannot understand why? If the vehicle is taxed, MOTed and roadworthy why must it be insured if it is stored in a secure location on private property and not used on the roads at all. I also wonder if the DVLA tactic is a bit strong in going straight to the fine, especially as this legislation is reasonably new.

I doubt I have any rebuttal as I am guilty of the offence, just was not aware it was actually on offence.

Anyone else had any experience? Did any of you manage to weasel out of paying?

Most importantly, can someone explain the idea behind this law?

[mondeoman]

The rules are the rules - its all about the money.

[Eski1991]

mondeoman said:

The rules are the rules - its all about the money.

I try not to be cynical but this is really the only conclusion I can draw. How can this legislation help anyone?

[SS2.]

CIE isn't especially new - it was introduced in 2011.

[Eski1991]

SS2. said:

CIE isn't especially new - it was introduced in 2011.

Wow, from what I'd read so far I was of the understanding it came in alongside the scrapping of tax discs.

I really have no excuse. The pitfalls of owning toys.

[TooMany2cvs]

Eski1991 said:

especially as this legislation is reasonably new.

Well, four and a bit years since it was introduced in a fair-sized blaze of publicity...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13836625
http://www.independent.co.uk/money/insurance/five-...
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/insurance/20...
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/general-pistonhead...

Eski1991 said:

Most importantly, can someone explain the idea behind this law?

Since there's no legitimate reason to have an uninsured car taxed, it enabled the once-only insurance check on buying tax to be done away with (three years ago), replacing it with a constant background check on whether any taxed car was insured or not, and setting the ground for getting rid of the daft piece of paper in the windscreen (last year). Simpler bureaucracy, lower costs, lower hassle. What's not to like...?

It's off the road, and uninsured? SORN it. Why not...?

[vanordinaire]

Eski1991 said:

Anyone else had any experience? Did any of you manage to weasel out of paying?

I got this a couple of years ago, telephoned the DVLA and told them that I was pretty sure I had declared SORN but couldn't find any proof. The very nice lady offered to 'put a hold' on proceedings with regard to the fine for a month to allow me to find proof that I had declared SORN. I couldn't find any proof so 're' declared SORN the next day. I never heard anymore about the fine.

[Nigel Worc's]

I've just discovered my mate has been driving without insurance for a year, his car was taxed, they haven't caught or fined him, so I guess you were unlucky.

[Eski1991]

Those articles mention a warning letter being sent first. Is this still the case? I've only received the FPN.

[aw51 121565]

TooMany2cvs said:

Since there's no legitimate reason to have an uninsured car taxed, it enabled the once-only insurance check on buying tax to be done away with (three years ago) ...

16/12/13 .

[Nigel Worc's]

swerni said:

Nigel Worc's said:

I've just discovered my mate has been driving without insurance for a year, his car was taxed, they haven't caught or fined him, so I guess you were unlucky.

Did you report him?

I hope this is sarcasm !

[Nigel Worc's]

swerni said:

Nigel Worc's said:

swerni said:

Nigel Worc's said:

I've just discovered my mate has been driving without insurance for a year, his car was taxed, they haven't caught or fined him, so I guess you were unlucky.

Did you report him?

I hope this is sarcasm !

If he's driving without insurance I hope they take his car away and crush it.

Has been, not is, and he didn't intend it ....... read the thread :

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

And although I sort of agree with your sentiments, don't be an arse, you don't report mates who come to you in a flap because they suddenly realise they've been doing something wrong, that they wouldn't dream of doing in a thousand years.