Penalty Notice for not insuring the vehicle even if it is not being used

ihaveaquestion

Hi,

I have been issued with a penalty notice for not having my bike insured. The bike has been in a garage for more than 6 months. I forgot to SORN it as I missed/dont remember seeing the reminder for the tax disc. It is currently unusable as it needs a carburetor. I SORN'ed it as soon as I received the penalty notice which was about 2 weeks after the official date.

Is there a way I can fight this penalty? I am a law abiding driver and have had no issues whatsoever wrt to insurance/tax etc.
I did send them a letter explaining however they wouldnt have it. I think it is unfair to penalise such oversight. I can understand the fine if the bike was in working condition. But in my case it is with the mechanic for more than 6 months.

Please advise

Thanks

balmk

Good morning

Unfortunately the law states that you must insure a vehicle (whether in use or not) unless you have completed and submitted a SORN.

My advice - pay the penalty or risk having the bike clamped and then scrapped. It does happen as my neighbour had theirs clamped then taken.

Aretnap

Under continuous insurance regulations all vehicles must either be insured or SORNed, even if not kept on the road or even if they're in pieces in a garage.* It's a pain but it's the law. You can ask them to exercise some discretion, but if they won't then your best option is to pay the fixed penalty - the alternative is to wait for them to prosecute you for the offence, go to court and face a bigger fine (up to £1000). Put it down to experience and move on - it doesn't exactly make you a notorious criminal.

*Unless they've actually been scrapped and the DVLA have been notified.

ihaveaquestion

Thanks for the responses.

Looks like I will have to pay the money. I would be glad if they come to clamp and take the vehicle as I probably have to scrap it anyway

forgotmyname

What about the other fees? They clamp it then if you dont pay up they tow it. Add a release fee.

7 days in the pound and they destroy it and still chase you for the money. Possibly adding costs to destroy it? £21 a day storage?

Scrap or sell it and pay them?