Driving without insurance (but not aware!)?

One nation under God.

get a lawyer to represent you !!! if you get convicted your insurance rates can double for up to five years and that is a lot more money than the lawyer will cost /

rowdy

Well, from your question (and I've read it several times), I can't see what you've done wrong.

It was being driven "by any other person (you) for travel to and from a place of business", and that's what you were doing.

I've got a feeling that the police are trying it on, to get a collar. Wouldn't be the first time.

C T

Have you got car insurance of your own for a different car? You may have third-partly cover for whatever car youâ€™re driving check it out.

Also, the section about â€œto and from a place of workâ€ sounds like it is just talking about â€œbusiness useâ€ of the car. It may also be worth checking what they mean by that because they could mean a â€œfixedâ€ place of work like an office. If your partner uses the car to drive around all day visiting patients, she may need â€œclass-1 business useâ€ best to call her insurer before they screw her too.

Good luck with court, hope you get let off.

Bardic

The certificate's the thing. It'll usually say which clauses in the "catch all" policy document apply. As you're going to court anyway, you'll have the chance to explain how the misunderstanding arose. I'd have a word with a solicitor first, though, they usually give the first interview free.

Don't panic about going to court, they'll explain what to do, where to stand etc.. Just dress neatly, be quiet and polite to the bench, it's (usually) three normal people from the community who know how real life works. Oh, and if they find you guilty they'll ask if there's anything you want to say before they pass sentence. Now's your chance to be contrite, apologise for your misunderstanding and for taking up the court's time.

musicalj2

Unfortunately, ignorance of the law is no defence, no matter how confusing the law may be. Insurance law is a minefield. If you often drive your partner's car, she should put you on her insurance as a ~named~ driver; that will give you all the cover that she is entitled to as well.

greybeard

Sorry, I don't know! go to court, be as honest as you can, and hope that the magistrates show a little common sense.
Good Luck!

WelshLad

Just go in there and state you honestly thought you were legal to drive and be remorseful.

Bear

It would be best to consult with her insurance company to find out exactly who and what is covered under this policy.

Not having insurance is an absolute offence, i.e you're insured or your not. If it turns out you were not insured then consult a solicitor prior to going to court. Its not like you are blatantly driving around without insurance like some people we see.

Plead to the better nature of the magistrates and hope for a lesser penalty. Good luck.

g_a_n_d_al_f

A lawyer willl be the best person to advise you on this.
Please go and see a lawyer that specialises in traffic offences, if you are lucky you will not be charged for the initial consultation.
Take all the insurance paperwork with you.

Going to court is a daunting experience and I can appreciate that you are worried, all I can say is that while the courts do try and be fair they are bound by the law and if you broke the law they can try and show understanding but you will not be let off completely

Oracle

It isn't 100% clear from your submission exactly what level of cover your partner has on her insurance. If you are not a named driver on the policy, providing you have motor insurance in your own name, you may have Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover which allows you to drive a vehicle not owner by you, or hired to you, with the owners permission. Cover would be Third Party Only (TPO) but this would at least give you lawful cover to drive the vehicle. If the car was being driven in connection with a business or profession, the cover may well be compromised unless you were specified on the policy.

Normally, where Class 1 Business Use is included for the insured, it is also extended to the spouse (or common-law partner) where they are also named.

If you do not have insurance in your own name, and are not named on your partner's policy, you were technically driving uninsured and could be prosecuted accordingly.

If you would like to discuss the matter in more depth, respond with some more information and I'll try and assist you further.

taffy36@btinternet.com

dont worry, once they see the documents and realise how easy it is to make that mistake they will let you off with only five years.

2kool4u

You need to see a lawyer. Where I live, car insurance involves "strict liability". In other words, it doesn't matter if you thought you were insured or not. The only question is whether you were insured or not. But even if that's the case in your jurisdiction, it's probable that they will take mitigating factors into account in deciding on the penalty. But in any case you need to see a lawyer to make the case for you. Hope that helps.

Broker Man

It would appear you are referring to the policy wording and not the actual cover in force.I am surprised your partner is not being prosecuted for aiding and abetting the offence. If you already have points on your licence, you may need to consider expert legal representation. A conviction for 'No Insurance ' in the UK carries between 6 - 8 points. The fact that the person who's car you were driving is your partner's could make things worse; as she would have taken out the insurance and therefore must be aware you were not included in the insurance application. Good luck with this one, you are going to need it !

tturbod2001

Since you have not been to court yet.You can change your plea.Never plead guilty to any ticket.It is up to the courts to find you guilty.I believe so long as the car was insured, you should have been covered if you are the policy owner and the insurance had not expired.

it doesnt matter if you knew or not in the eyes of the law but with the paperwork you have and the fact you dont own the car you may just get a small fine. good luck and in case you didnt know you wont get jail time

samwise_boffin_of_whitfurrows

As Far as I can see you were not insured .
If you are not named on the certificate or if the certificate is not any driver.
the only other way you could be insured is if you have a comprehensive insurance policy in your own name third party is no good as it does not allow driving any other vehicle.
One possible way to get covered is if your partners employer gives you a letter saying you had permission to drive the vehiicle on the date you were stopped.

bobcatlady2u

Her car may have only been insured for pleasure or part time. Did the insurance policy expire or did someone not recieve another insurance card with the new year? I ask because i was pulled over last summer and was toldl I wasdriving under asuspended license. That came as a big shock. Come to find out I never had my new insurance card several months earlier when I had gotten a speeding ticket. It never dawned on me when the officer told me to give them proof of insurance, i never once thought about it. Why don't you just go down to the courthouse and do some brain picking with these people and se what can be done.

marguis

i think you need to go to the citizen bough to get legal advise as this is very serious and you need to be clear as what is you legal stand and responsibility

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