Owning a car comes with a few legal must-haves.
Your car must be taxed, have a valid MOT certificate and be covered by car insurance to legally drive it. And, even if you're not driving, you can't leave an uninsured car on a public street. The only exception is if it's registered with a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN).
Below, we'll walk you through the ins and outs of keeping your car legal. Let's dive in!
Car tax rules
Can you tax a car without insurance?
Taxing your car isn't always straightforward, especially when insurance and MOT rules get involved!
Here's what you need to know:
Can you tax a car without insurance?
Nope, you can't tax your car unless it has car insurance in place.
The good news? You don't need to have your insurance documents when taxing your car. The DVLA keeps track of that through its motor insurance database.
Now, if your car is officially off the road with a SORN, you don't have to insure or tax it. But, there's a catch - you'll need to keep it in a garage or private driveway. If you still want to protect it from damage, you can look into laid-up cover, which can offer cover for fire-damage or theft.
Can you insure a car without tax?
Technically, yes.
Your car insurance might still be valid even if your car isn't taxed or, if it runs out mid-policy. But, some insurance companies require your car to be taxed as part of their conditions. So, it's always smart to check the fine print.
That said, driving an untaxed car? That's a no-go. Fines start at £80 and can go up to £1,000. If the police catch you, they could issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) up to £1,000 on the spot!
And, let's be real - insurance companies aren't big fans of driving offences. If you get caught without tax, you might see your car insurance costs go up come renewal.
Can you tax a car without an MOT?
No, you can't. That's because your car needs to have a valid MOT certificate before you can tax it.
Can you MOT a car without tax?
Yes, you can! A car doesn't need to be taxed to get an MOT. As we've said, you'll need a valid MOT before you tax it. So, this step comes first.
MOT rules
Your MOT isn't just another box to tick, it's what keeps your car roadworthy. But what happens if you don't have one? Let's find out:
Can you drive without an MOT?
Short answer - no! It's illegal to drive or park your car on the road if your MOT has expired.
The only times you're allowed to drive without a valid MOT are when you're heading to the test centre or a garage for repairs. If you're caught driving around without one for any other reason, you could be given a fine of up to £1,000.
Top tip: Want to check if your MOT is up-to-date? Use our MOT check tool! Just pop in your car's registration number, and it'll tell you whether your MOT is still valid. You'll also see when it's about to expire.
Can you insure a car without an MOT?
You might be able to get insurance without an MOT, but it's not a guarantee.
But, even if you're insured, you won't be able to legally drive without a valid MOT certificate.
There's a few exceptions to this:
- If you’re driving to a pre-arranged MOT appointment at a garage
- Your car is less than 3 years old and doesn’t require an MOT
- Your car was built or first registered more than 40 years ago, making it a classic car
Car insurance rules
Let's go over the key details:
Is car insurance mandatory?
Yes. If you're driving, car insurance isn't just a good idea, it's the law. At the very least, you need third-party insurance, which covers damage or injury you might cause to others.
Get caught without it? You can face fines, penalty points or even a driving ban. And remember, third-party coverage won't pay for damage to your own car or if you get injured. So, if you want extra protection, you might want to consider a fully-comprehensive policy.
Whatever you choose, make sure you're checking the policy details carefully to know exactly what you're covered for.
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