What Car? Q&A - Must I insure my unused car?

Q: I can’t use my car at the moment, and as it is so expensive to insure, I wondered if I have to keep it insured? My car is parked on the road outside my house, but I live in a quiet cul-de-sac.
J. Lewis

A: Unless you can park your car off the road, on a private driveway, or in a garage, you must keep it insured. Under section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is a serious offence to ‘use’ a car on a public road without insurance.

The Act lays down a maximum fine of £5000, six to eight penalty points and discretionary disqualification. ‘Using’ a car, according to the 1988 Act, means more than simply driving it.

You are using your car if it is parked on the road outside your house, even if you have no immediate intention of driving it. Provided it is capable of being driven, and so comes within the legal definition of a ‘motor vehicle’, you breach section 143 if the car is not insured.

Keep it off the road on your own land and you can declare it SORN (a statutory off-road notice). That way you won’t have to insure yourself or pay vehicle excise duty.