Under UK law, every vehicle kept or driven on a public road must either be covered by a valid motor insurance policy or declared off the road via a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
Failure to comply invites significant penalties, including fines, penalty points, and vehicle seizure.
This guide explains how continuous insurance enforcement works, how to check your car’s insurance status, what the Motor Insurance Database (MID) tells you, and what to do if your vehicle isn’t showing as insured.
Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE)
Since 2011, the Continuous Insurance Enforcement legislation requires that any vehicle not declared SORN must have active insurance at all times. The DVLA and Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) share data to identify uninsured vehicles. Uninsured keepers may receive:
- An Insurance Advisory Letter warning to insure the vehicle or declare it off the road.
- A £100 fixed penalty, plus clamping, seizure, and disposal of the vehicle for non-compliance.
- Prosecution in court with a maximum £1,000 fine.
Police also use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to catch uninsured drivers, leading to on-the-spot fines of £300 and six penalty points, or unlimited fines upon prosecution.
The Motor Insurance Database (MID)
The MID is the national register of all UK vehicles with recorded insurance policies. It is maintained by the MIB and used by the police, DVLA, and insurers to enforce CIE.
What it shows:
- Confirmation of whether a valid policy is recorded (“Yes/No”).
- Vehicle make and model if provided by the insurer.
What it does not show:
- Policy details such as cover type, excesses, or named drivers.
Using AskMID/Navigate
Visit askMID.com (now branded Navigate).
- Enter your registration number.
- Declare you are the vehicle’s owner, keeper, or insured party.
- Receive an instant confirmation of your insurance status.
Both services are free, and no documents are required beyond your registration number.
When Insurance May Not Appear
New or short-term policies can take several days to appear on the MID. Different insurers update the database at varying intervals (some update only weekly). If you’ve just bought cover:
- Don’t panic—your policy is legally in force from the moment you purchase.
- Keep your insurance certificate or digital policy document as proof when stopped by police.
If delays persist beyond a week, contact your insurer to request they update the MID record.
Checking Someone Else’s Vehicle
You may only check another vehicle’s insurance details in these circumstances:
- You were involved in an accident with that vehicle.
- You are representing someone involved in such an incident.
A single one-off search costs £10, or you can subscribe for frequent use. If eligible, you’ll need to provide:
- Your details (name, contact).
- Accident date and each vehicle’s registration numbers.
Penalties for Driving Uninsured
Driving without insurance (or failing to declare SORN) can result in:
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Driving without valid insurance | £300 fine + 6 penalty points on licence |
| Failure to insure / SORN or update MID | £100 fixed penalty + vehicle clamp/seizure |
| Court prosecution for uninsured driving | Unlimited fine + potential driving ban |
Even if a vehicle is insured, you must be a named driver or have explicit cover (e.g., “Driving Other Cars” extension) to drive it legally.
Declaring Off Road: SORN
If you will not use your vehicle on public roads:
- Apply for a Statutory Off Road Notification via GOV.UK.
- Your vehicle must be kept on private land.
Once SORN is granted, insurance is not required, but you cannot drive or park on any public highway.
Staying on the right side of the law means regularly verifying your insurance via the MID/Navigate service, keeping proof of cover with you, and notifying DVLA if your vehicle is off the road. By doing so, you avoid fines, points, and the risk of losing your vehicle.
