: : September 2006 Well last month it was the news about insurance for all cars, now comes another little bomb shell from the Government. As from October this year garages performing the Ministry of Transport Test (MOT) will be allowed to charge a maximum of £56.00 per test. The Ministry state this is to offset the cost of the recent change to a computerised system and that this is a maximum the garage can charge. In reality they, the garages, can set their own rate for the test, but it must not exceed this maximum. Furthermore the Government guarantee the cost will not rise again until a review in 2008. Two things spring to mind, first I bet every garage I can think of will charge this maximum to start with. Why? “Because it is not our fault the Ministry has put the price up”. The second is the Ministry’s promise on a price hike, could it just be like British Gas's promise to consumers earlier this year? I promised to keep you posted on the insurance implications of the forthcoming Road Safety Bill. Well the tide has come in a little and washed SOME of the mud away. The stance that seems to be emerging is 'If you own a vehicle that has a valid tax disc, it will HAVE to be insured. This applies even to vehicles kept off the road'. So how will it work? According to the DVLA it will be a system of databases and shared information between them, the police and the Motors Insurance Bureau. The fine for those caught flouting the law will be a fine of up to £100. The only way you can keep a vehicle off road and uninsured is to declare it a statutory off road notification (SORN). Janette Kircough, DVLA spokesperson said “If no vehicle insurance is in place, but a SORN has been made, no offence will have been committed”. So what does it mean in reality? These two Q&A’s may help: Q. What happens if my tax is due on Sept. 1st But my insurance runs out on Sept. 18th? A. You will be able to purchase a new tax disc. But if you fail to renew your insurance to run continuously from the 18th you will be breaking the law and liable to a penalty. Q. If my insurance runs out but the tax on the car is still valid, am I breaking the law? A. Yes, to avoid being liable for a penalty YOU must either renew the insurance immediately OR return the tax disc with a SORN declaration when the insurance runs out. So there you have it, the latest information I can glean so far, but I’ll keep you posted. < Return to previous page