Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE)
The Road Safety Act became law in November 2006, and introduced a new offence which is aimed at overcoming the problem of vehicles not specifically covered by any insurance policy (even a blanket policy) being used by drivers who claim cover under their “driving other vehicles” extension. The requirement for insurance will apply to vehicles whether they are being driven or not.
The new approach will also have the added benefit that, like continuous vehicle registration, it can be enforced “from the record”, and vehicles need not be seen on the roads before action can be taken.
Once the necessary regulations are drawn up, it will be an offence to be the keeper of a vehicle which is not covered by a specified policy or by a blanket policy (“open cover contract”) covering vehicles owned by the policyholder or other party named in the policy. There will be specific exemptions, the main two of which will be that the vehicle has been statutorily declared off the road (SORNed) or a change of keeper is in the process of being completed by the DVLA.
The Act can be found at http://www.uk-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/20060049.htm
The detailed enforcement process is under discussion with the Government, and will not be finalised for some time. See press release No Place to hide for UK's uninsured drivers.
This page was last updated on
24 April 2009