Riding without insurance
I got pulled by the police. They said their records showed that my bike was not insured. I explained that I was insured and used my mobile to show the Insurance e-mail I had with the certificate. They were having none of it and said that their records show the vehicle as uninsured and the vehicle could not be moved. It transpired that my insurer had forgotten to arrange cover even though I paid and issued a policy.
Are the police entitled to stop you riding for reasons you believe to be false and if you can produce documentation like I did?
Colin Howell, by e-mail
Answer
The vehicle was not in fact insured so the police were correct although this was clearly not your fault. The police can stop a vehicle for any reason. If they ask you to stop, you should always pull over when it is safe to do so. You are breaking the law if you don’t. They can ask to see your driving licence, insurance certificate and MOT certificate.
If you don’t have these documents with you, you have 7 days to take them to a police station. You are breaking the law if you don’t show the requested documents within 7 days. The police can also give you an on-the-spot fixed penalty notice for many minor offences and make you take a breath test in certain circumstances. You can also have your vehicle seized if you are stopped on suspicion of driving without insurance and for some other offences.
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