Motor Insurance Database

jammin_2

I have a UK registered car, but since I spend most of my time in the Republic of Ireland, I've insured it under an Irish policy.

Question is, when I am in the UK with the car, although my Irish insurance policy covers me when in the UK, non-UK policies are not listed in the Motor Insurance Database.

This means that if I drive past one of those big brother cameras, they could send the boys in blue after me, since (according to the Motor Insurance Database), I'm not insured.

I suppose the answer is to simply carry my insurance cert (and policy?) with me at all times, when driving in the UK. But, would this be sufficient to keep the feds happy?

I read on www.askmid.com that "By allowing someone to drive this vehicle, the driver is at risk of being STOPPED by the police and having their vehicle impounded, and possibly DISPOSED OF, if proof of insurance cannot be provided".

Motmac

jammin wrote: »

I have a UK registered car, but since I spend most of my time in the Republic of Ireland, I've insured it under an Irish policy.

Question is, when I am in the UK with the car, although my Irish insurance policy covers me when in the UK, non-UK policies are not listed in the Motor Insurance Database.

This means that if I drive past one of those big brother cameras, they could send the boys in blue after me, since (according to the Motor Insurance Database), I'm not insured.

I suppose the answer is to simply carry my insurance cert (and policy?) with me at all times, when driving in the UK. But, would this be sufficient to keep the feds happy?

I read on www.askmid.com that "By allowing someone to drive this vehicle, the driver is at risk of being STOPPED by the police and having their vehicle impounded, and possibly DISPOSED OF, if proof of insurance cannot be provided".

They'd have to be pretty stupid to do that if you have valid proof of insurance with you.they could always give them a call??...i wouldnt worry too much,i run about with cars that ive just bought and arnt on the mid but i'm covered with my traders policy and thats what i tell em....usually no problem

raskazz

You could get hassled by the police quite a bit, unfortunately. The DVLA run checks of the MID and produce 'hit lists' of cars that are taxed but not showing on the MID, these lists are then passed to the police - so they may actively look for your car, rather than simply passively being alerted by an automatic number plate recognition check.

What some police officers still (surprisingly) don't realise is that not being listed on the MID doesn't mean that you're not insured - it means that the Police may need to make further enquiries. Just make sure you keep a copy of your certificate of insurance in the car, and your insurer's telephone number. Your Irish certificate will prove that you are covered to at least the legal minimum requirements of any other EU country.

Might be worth looking into registering the car in Ireland - especially if Irish road tax is cheaper (not sure whether it is though).

jammin_2

raskazz wrote: »

..Might be worth looking into registering the car in Ireland - especially if Irish road tax is cheaper (not sure whether it is though).

Road tax would be about the same for my 2008 1.2 Corsa (139g/km), £120 in the UK, or €150 in Ireland.

The reason I'm not registering it in Ireland (at least not just yet), is because the Revenue would want €2181 from me in Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) - that's to register it in Ireland, with Irish plates. Plus, because the car's less then 6 months old and has less than 6k kilometres on the clock, they'd want me to pay VAT on the estimated current market value of the car (which is €13634 according to https://www.ros.ie/VRTEnquiryServlet/showCarCalculator). VAT in Ireland is 21%. So that's €2181 VRT plus €2863 VAT = a grand total of €5044 for Irish numbers plates.

Hence why I'm not so eager to register her in Ireland!

naquadria

jammin wrote: »

Road tax would be about the same for my 2008 1.2 Corsa (139g/km), £120 in the UK, or €150 in Ireland.

The reason I'm not registering it in Ireland (at least not just yet), is because the Revenue would want €2181 from me in Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) - that's to register it in Ireland, with Irish plates. Plus, because the car's less then 6 months old and has less than 6k kilometres on the clock, they'd want me to pay VAT on the estimated current market value of the car (which is €13634 according to https://www.ros.ie/VRTEnquiryServlet/showCarCalculator). VAT in Ireland is 21%. So that's €2181 VRT plus €2863 VAT = a grand total of €5044 for Irish numbers plates.

Hence why I'm not so eager to register her in Ireland!

Ouch. Seems wherever you go, Mr Taxman is there to screw you over!

cyclonebri1

Don't worry about that, the database is flawed. I got pulled off the outside lane of the M1 last year because my car flagged up as having no insurance. I don't do that!

oh, and I'm Uk registered:mad:

Very interesting conversation in the police car when they called my insurers to check and they rfused to speak to the police:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Not the registered policy holder :rolleyes: :rotfl: :rotfl: