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Owning a Vehicle

If your vehicle is 3 years old or more it must be tested for an MOT certificate. If it does not have one

it is illegal to drive it on the road. Make sure you check for this certificate when you buy a car. You must

renew the MOT certificate every 12 months.

To get an MOT certificate, take your vehicle to a local garage that offers MOT testing. They will test it

to see if it is roadworthy.

In the UK it is illegal to drive, travel in, or even leave a motor vehicle on the road without insurance.

When applying for vehicle insurance make sure the details you give are correct, if you do not the

insurance will be invalid. It is an offence to knowingly give false information when applying for insurance

and when claiming from insurance.

Some insurance companies will give you a discount if you have driven without having an accident for a

number of years. They may accept proof of this from other countries if the evidence is translated into church1

English.

Any vehicle which is being used or allowed to stand on a public

road must display a current tax disc (vehicle licence) on the

front windscreen.

To get a tax disc, you need to apply for one you need to fill

out a form available from your local Post Office. You will be

required to show your:

• Insurance certificate for the vehicle

• MOT certificate for the vehicle

You can also apply online for a tax disk online.

It is illegal to use a tax disc registered to a different vehicle.

Here are a few basic rules of the road that you should remember when driving any vehicle:

• Your vehicle must be roadworthy and safe to drive / ride, having passed its MOT.

• Drive on the left-hand side of the road.

• Your vehicle must have a valid tax disc.

• It is illegal not to wear your seatbelt.

• Make sure all your passengers are wearing seatbelts.

• Children up to 135cm or the age of 12 (whichever is reached first) must be seated in an

appropriate child safety seat.

• Make sure you are fit to drive. It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• UK speed limits are in miles per hour (MPH). Make sure you are reading the correct speed on

your speedometer.

• The national speed limit in the UK is 60mph on single carriageways and 70mph on dual

carriageways.

• There are a variety of other speed limits in force. Make sure you are aware of them as

you are driving.

• It is illegal to drive while using a mobile phone.

• Motorcycle drivers and passengers are legally required to wear protective helmets.

• If you are involved in an accident you must stop, and if anyone is injured or there is

any damage you must inform the police.