This page lets you know what you have to do from a legal viewpoint if you are driving on the roads, including insuring your car, getting road tax and sorting an MOT certificate.
Car Insurance
Insurance is compulsory - you just have to have it. The vehicle you will be driving must be insured for you to use. Driving without proper insurance is illegal and you can be heavily fined for doing so.
There are several types of insurance.
- Fully comprehensive insurance
- Third party
- Third party fire and theft
- You can be ‘added on’ to someone else’s existing insurance.
The Direct Gov website has useful information about car insurance.
Car insurance is becoming very expensive for young drivers. Make sure you shop around and compare the market to get the best deal.
Road Tax
If you have a car, it must be road taxed if you are using it on the roads. This tax is the government’s way of collecting money from car owners to pay for the maintenance of roads etc. You can get forms from any main Post Office. Prices vary depending on engine size. Check out the DVLA for more info.
If you choose not to tax your car and are still driving it, or it is parked in public, you could be fined an automatic penalty of £80 and a minimum fine of £1,000. Your car could also be clamped, impounded or even crushed.
Should you choose not to tax your car because you will not be driving it on the roads then you still have to notify the DVLA. You should fill in and send of The Statutory Off the Road Notification (SORN) declaration.You can get the paperwork from your local Post Office.
Ministry of Transport (MOT) certificate
If your car is more than three years old, it must be MOT tested. The MOT will check your car is safe and roadworthy. This can be done at local garages and test centres. If your car passes the test successfully you will receive a Test Certificate (VT20). If not, you will receive a VT30 form which lists all the necessary repairs.
If there are some very important problems ("Section D – Warning" is completed), then you can only drive the car home or to the nearest garage. If you have your car inspected at a garage, then the repairs can be done immediately and you will not have to go back. You must carry your MOT certificate in your car at all times.
It is worth getting your car serviced prior to its MOT to maximise its chances of passing. If you want more advice speak to a mechanic. MOTs must be done annually after the car is three years old..
Drink driving
It is against the law to drive with more than 80mg of alcohol in every 100mls of blood - but basically having a drink and then driving should always be avoided.
If you drink and drive then you are endangering other people’s lives as well as your own. Don't get into a car when the driver’s been drinking, even if they seem okay. You will thank yourself later.
If you get caught driving over the limit you could:
- lose your licence
- be imprisoned
- be fined.
Driving or attempting to drive whilst above the legal limit carries a maximum penalty of 6 months' imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum 12 months driving ban.
Your friends may seem fit to drive if you've all been drinking and it may seem OK to get a lift home with them, however you should never accept a lift if the driver has been drinking.
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