DVLA proposes to cut red tape

The DVLA is proposing to abolish the current requirement to show an insurance certificate when buying a tax disc.

Thanks to the recently introduced Continuous Insurance Enforcement (‘CIE’) rules, the Motor Insurance Database is compared regularly with the DVLA’s records to identify registered keepers of vehicles with no insurance.

Continuous car insurance now law

Cars that avoid road tax

That makes the requirement to show an insurance certificate when taxing a vehicle at the Post Office unnecessary, reckons Roads Minister Stephen Hammond:

“We are committed to getting rid of unnecessary red tape. There is absolutely no benefit in making motorists prove they have insurance when they buy a tax disc now that we regularly check existing databases for insurance under Continuous Insurance Enforcement rules.

“These proposals will make the whole process quicker, easier and cheaper.”

The CIE rules make it illegal to own a vehicle without it being insured – unless the DVLA have been provided with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). Owners without insurance face a fine of £100 and possible court action unless they comply with the rules.

The DVLA says the latest proposals for overhauling road tax procedures will allow an additional 600,000 motorists to tax their vehicles online – and will save millions of motorists turning their house upside down trying to find their insurance certificates.

Ashton West, MIB Chief Executive: “Motor insurance remains a legal requirement and this consultation by DVLA recognises the value and importance of the insurance records held centrally on the MID.

“The introduction of Continuous Insurance Enforcement last year was always designed to provide a more robust and technology driven solution to ensuring that vehicles have insurance in place.

“The successful introduction of the new process by the DVLA and the MIB has enabled these proposals to be made now, which will bring benefits to millions of motorists.”

A period of official consultation will happen before any decisions are made. It starts today and closes on the 26 November 2012 and the full consultation document can be found on the DFT website.

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