This is an Insurance Advisory Letter (IAL). You may have received an IAL regarding a vehicle you own, or you may be assisting a friend or family member with their IAL.

You may have received an FPN regarding a vehicle you own, or you may be assisting a friend or family member with their FPN. Click below to find out why this has been sent to you, your obligations, and what to do next. 

Why have I received a letter (an IAL)?

You would only receive an IAL, like the one shown at the top of the page, if the DVLA detail you as the registered keeper of the vehicle registration detailed in the IAL. IALs are sent when a vehicle registered with the DVLA is not showing as registered on the Motor Insurance Database (MID). It is a legal requirement for a vehicle to be continuously insured, unless it has been declared off the road using a valid SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notification) issued by the DVLA. This is called Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE).

What should I do first?

We would encourage you to check askMID to confirm if your vehicle is on the Motor Insurance Database (MID)
- My vehicle has been found on askMID - Excellent, there is no further action needed. There may have been a cross over in the date our letter was issued to you and the date your insurer loaded your vehicle to the MID, meaning it was not showing when cross checks were run. Thank you for ensuring you are compliant.
- My vehicle has NOT been found on askMID - Not to worry, there is usually an explanation for this. We suggest that you call the insurance company you believe your active policy is with, without delay. They are best placed to advise why it has not yet been loaded to the MID or any rectifying activity that is needed.

The vehicle registration on the IAL doesn’t match the registration on my insurance documentation

Please first check the registration on your insurance policy matches the licence plate displayed on your vehicle. Your vehicle registration may have been input incorrectly with/by your insurance company, meaning you have a live insurance policy but there is a typo on the registration. This would cause there to be no match between the actual registration and that on the Motor Insurance Database (MID). This is simple enough to fix by contacting your insurance company and asking that they rectify the error.

Please note that only your insurance company can update details of your vehicle on the MID.

I have a cherished/personalised licence plate

You will need to ensure a request to change the licence plate has been actioned with DVLA before you make any changes. The vehicle registration that relates to you as the registered keeper should be that displayed on the vehicle and on your insurance policy.

Please note that only the DVLA can assist with the transfer and retention of a plate, whilst only your insurance company can update MID details.

I have a temporary insurance policy

Depending on the length of your temporary policy, your insurer may not load the policy to the Motor Insurance Database (MID). In this instance we recommend you contact the DVLA. Most actions can now be carried out online here. If you cannot find the service you require, or you would like to speak with someone, you can also reach the DVLA on 0300 790 6802 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm & Saturdays, 8am to 2pm.

I am with a foreign insurance company

Your insurance details can only be submitted to the Motor Insurance Database (MID) by an insurer who is a member of the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) and is authorised to underwrite motor insurance business in the UK. Most of these insurers are UK based however there are a small number of insurers who also operate within Europe and submit information to the MID. A list of members can be found here.

If you reside outside of the UK for periods of time and still have a UK registered vehicle, you will need to check that your insurer is a member of the MIB and submits your vehicle details to the MID.

I have received a letter for someone that is not known at my address

Our letters include a return address on the envelope. Please kindly write 'not known at this address' on the outside of the sealed envelope and pop it back in a post box.

I have recently sold/exchanged the vehicle

You would only receive an IAL, like the one shown at the top of the page, if the DVLA still detail you as the registered keeper of the vehicle. We recommend that you contact the DVLA - Most actions can now be carried out online here. If you cannot find the service you require, or you would like to speak with someone, you can also reach the DVLA on 0300 790 6802 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm & Saturdays, 8am to 2pm.

If you have sold the vehicle as part or full exchange with a motor trader, you can also contact the person you handed the vehicle to and ensure they have completed and sent off the V5C to change the keeper details. Whilst you are still listed as the registered keeper with DVLA, you are still responsible for the vehicle and will receive correspondence regarding it.

I have recently scrapped the vehicle

You would only receive an IAL if the DVLA still detail you as the registered keeper of the vehicle. We recommend that you contact the DVLA - Most actions can now be carried out online here. If you cannot find the service you require, or you would like to speak with someone, you can also reach the DVLA on 0300 790 6802 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm & Saturdays, 8am to 2pm. 

The vehicle has been declared a total loss/written off

We are sorry to hear this. However, you would only receive an IAL if the DVLA still detail you as the registered keeper of the vehicle. Your insurance company may have advised they will take care of everything, however, it is worth calling to ensure they have informed the DVLA.

You can also contact the DVLA to advise of this yourself. Most actions can now be carried out online here. If you cannot find the service you require, or you would like to speak with someone, you can also reach the DVLA on 0300 790 6802 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm & Saturdays, 8am to 2pm.

I am not currently using the vehicle

It is an offence to be the registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle. If you are not using the vehicle and it can be kept on private property, you must declare it SORN with the DVLA if it is uninsured. Most actions, including declaring a vehicle SORN, can now be carried out online here. If you cannot find the service you require, or you would like to speak with someone, you can also reach the DVLA on 0300 790 6802 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm & Saturdays, 8am to 2pm.

If you are unable to keep the vehicle on private property, you will be unable to SORN it. This means that you will need to take a minimum of third party, fire and theft insurance cover. 

I am exporting/importing this vehicle

If you are in the process of importing or exporting your vehicle, please contact the DVLA. Most actions can now be carried out online here. If you cannot find the service you require, or you would like to speak with someone, you can also reach the DVLA on 0300 790 6802 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm & Saturdays, 8am to 2pm

The registered keeper has passed away

We are sorry for your loss. We understand there can be a lot of admin to do in what is already a difficult time. You will need to contact the DVLA directly, or use the gov.uk Tell Us Once service.

What happens if I ignore the IAL?

If no rectifying action is taken after receiving a letter, like the one shown at the top of the page, a fixed penalty notice (FPN) will be issued directly by DVLA. The penalty is set at £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 33 days. If the penalty is not paid, as a criminal offence the case may be pursued through the magistrates’ court. The maximum penalty is £1,000.

I am looking for more information relating to Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE)

Even if you’re not using your vehicle, it is a legal requirement for it to be continuously insured unless it has been declared off the road using a valid SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notification) issued by the DVLA. To find our more, please visit our Continuous Insurance Enforcement page.

I am looking for an insurance company

Don’t fall victim to a fraudulent policy, if an insurance deal looks too good to be true, it likely is.
- Check the seller has a legitimate website, a UK phone number and address
- If buying through a broker, check they’re registered with British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA)
- If buying directly through an insurer, check they’re a member of Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB)
- Check your insurance provider is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

What are the legal references?

The offence itself is being the registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle. Relevant references lie within Sections 144A, 144B, 144C and 144D of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and The Motor Vehicles (Insurance Requirements) Regulations 2011.

Why have I received an FPN?

A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) regarding the insurance status of a vehicle is issued by the DVLA. For more information, please click here.

How do I dispute the FPN?

We can advise that anyone in receipt of an FPN is given the opportunity to dispute the fine if they believe it should not have been issued to them. Instructions on how to dispute are given on the reverse of the penalty letter itself.

Please complete the relevant section on the back of the fixed penalty letter and send it to the local DVLA office (this will be the address on the top right-hand corner of the letter). The DVLA will then investigate further and contact the registered keeper once the investigation is complete.

I have lost my letter

Please contact the DVLA directly. They will be able to find your information by your name and the vehicle registration number. You can reach the DVLA on 0300 790 6802 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm & Saturdays, 8am to 2pm.

Can I dispute this with MIB?

FPN’s are issued by DVLA. MIB have no power to stop or delay an FPN.

What happens if I don’t pay/ignore the FPN?

DVLA have the power to prosecute. Not paying/ignoring the FPN will escalate matters rather than making it go away. If penalty is not paid, as a criminal offence the case may be pursued through the magistrates’ court. The maximum penalty is £1,000. 

What are the legal references?

The offence itself is being the registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle. Relevant references lie within Sections 144A, 144B, 144C and 144D of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and The Motor Vehicles (Insurance Requirements) Regulations 2011.