What exactly happens if there's no tax, insurance, or MOT on a vehicle?

Car_54

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856008#Comment_81856008

DVLA do not issue fines. They offer out-of-court settlements.

oldagetraveller1

"can you tax a vehicle that doesn’t have a current MOT ?"

Yes, if it's over 40 years old and MoT exempt like my 1962 classic car.

Car_54

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856038#Comment_81856038

Or less than 3 years old and MoT exempt, like my 2024 car.

Mildly_Miffed

Perfectly legal to have a car that's not insured, taxed, or tested. Just not on the road. And, if not taxed, SORNed.

If it's taxed, it HAS to be insured.

If it legally needs an MOT (over 3yo, under 40yo, but some exceptions - including NI where it's over 4yo), then it has to have one current on the date the tax starts in order to pay for tax. But it can expire while the car's taxed. So long as it's not on the road…

Betterthanlife

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81855599#Comment_81855599

My lad was parked up and the police had a word with him as he MoT had run out a couple of months before. Car was taxed and insured and in good condition. The officer said he was making a note of his reg and if he saw him again without an MoT he'd report him. The officer also went on to say that they didn't have time for all the paperwork, it was too much hassle. Scared my lad and we MoT'd the car the next day. He's older now and a bit more responsible.

MyRealNameToo

If it's taxed, it HAS to be insured.

If it's not SORNed it has to be insured, would be a more accurate way of expressing it. If it was on the road untaxed it would still need to be insured. The DVLA CIE processes are based purely on looking at vehicles in their DB that arent SORNed and comparing that to the MID list of who are insured. Anyone in their list and not in the MID list gets a letter.

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81855547#Comment_81855547

Ah Utopia….🤣

You would be lucky to get a PCSO to come & have a look. Then toddle off not knowing what to do.

Mildly_Miffed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856988#Comment_81856988

Exactly the same difference, because the car has to be EITHER taxed OR sorned, legally. The third option, unlicenced, is illegal anyway.

(We're ignoring cars "in trade", obvs.)

Nobbie1967

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856966#Comment_81856966

My car was without an MOT for about 6 months and parked on the road taxed and insured. Someone reported it to the local police and I got a knock on the door to remind me to get it MOT’d. I did a couple of weeks later. Probably depends on the attitude and workload of your local police whether they do anything.

Betterthanlife

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81857118#Comment_81857118

I agree, we are semi-rural, I think if you were in a major city they'd poke about a bit more and wouldn't let you off.

Many years a go I bought a mini cooper s and on the first day I ragged it up the local by-pass, the weather was good and road empty. Spotted a police car and slowed down, however he pulled my over and said I first clocked you at 101mph but you saw me and slowed down so your speed was 83, 2mph more and you'd be in court. No telling off and just 3 points and £100. He could have got me at 101mph, but he knew I was being a bit over the top in a new car and probably realised I'd learnt my lesson. Was a local copper (for local people 😅) I'm sure if it was a traffic cop or in a big city I'd have been in court. I didnt repeat speed trial exercise again so good policing in the end.