Banned from driving.

[VectraMan]

Glad you've found that out.

Shame nobody told me last week when I could have still done something differently.

I'll probably just put it on Ebay.

[Sysman]

Yes I've learned that one too. Seems like an impossible situation. My previous insurer said they could give me temporary cover for the old car for £80 per 2 weeks, but if it doesn't sell for a few months that's adding up to quite a lot.

I worked this one out in my immediate post student years when I was trying to run one car while doing another one up. I think it was about a third of a year's premium for my main car for something like 6 weeks. It was a ripoff but there wasn't any other option.

I found out many years later that if you were going to do this more than once you were better off setting yourself up as a car dealer, but that implied rather more dosh than was available at the time.

The drive another car thing only applies if it's someone else's car; it doesn't work if you own them both.

Only if the other person has it insured already., and that's something you really ought to check when viewing a second hand motor.

[VectraMan]

Bear in mind that even if it wasn't SORN, they'd actually have to insure the car directly anyway. You can't drive another car using your comprehensive policy unless that car is insured properly too.

Yes I've learned that one too. Seems like an impossible situation. My previous insurer said they could give me temporary cover for the old car for £80 per 2 weeks, but if it doesn't sell for a few months that's adding up to quite a lot.

The drive another car thing only applies if it's someone else's car; it doesn't work if you own them both.

[MyUserName]

Bear in mind that even if it wasn't SORN, they'd actually have to insure the car directly anyway. You can't drive another car using your comprehensive policy unless that car is insured properly too.

Ooh I remember that one. I had two vehicles and wanted to be fully comp on one and use the fact that I can drive any vehicle under 3rd party insurance to drive the other. It seemed to easy so I asked them and they said that would not be valid but a lot of people seem to do it as they don't realise.

[vwdan]

Yes. But that's also a mine field as apparently they send out a letter if you cancel insurance to say that it must be declared SORN. Then nobody can test drive it even if they have insurance.

Bear in mind that even if it wasn't SORN, they'd actually have to insure the car directly anyway. You can't drive another car using your comprehensive policy unless that car is insured properly too.

[VectraMan]

No I wouldn't. However, I was not aware that I was legally responsible for it!

That has freaked me out a little in terms of people borrowing my car. I will have to insist they bring me their insurance documents so I can check whether they really are covered!

Indeed. You'd always assume driving would be the driver's responsibility. You wouldn't want someone to drive your car uninsured because you'd be worried about losing the car and the money if they crash. Nobody would think you'd be prosecuted.

[VectraMan]

Is the old car still taxed?

Yes. But that's also a mine field as apparently they send out a letter if you cancel insurance to say that it must be declared SORN. Then nobody can test drive it even if they have insurance.

[vwdan]

It's not so much that the seller has a responsibility - it's the more general point of being the owner of the car and needing to check.

It's the same as if you let your mate borrow your car and he doesn't have insurance. You are liable for allowing him to drive uninsured - even if he doesn't crash, but is simply pulled over by the police for a spot check and they find out, you can be done.
The common sense bit is that own the car, you have the keys - would you let someone clearly pissed drive your car and say "it's their responsibility"?

Exactly - people are up in arms about this, but the legislation has been in place for years and it does make a lot of sense. It's not taking responsibility away from the driver (That's still a criminal offence in itself), it's EXTENDING responsibility to the owner.

[MyUserName]

The common sense bit is that own the car, you have the keys - would you let someone clearly pissed drive your car and say "it's their responsibility"?

No I wouldn't. However, I was not aware that I was legally responsible for it!

That has freaked me out a little in terms of people borrowing my car. I will have to insist they bring me their insurance documents so I can check whether they really are covered!

[Ticktock]

Good grief. It would certainly be a good idea before letting somebody drive your car but I can't say it ever occurred to me the seller would have a legal responsible for checking insurance. Pity we don't have laws based on a few basic common sense principles, one of which is "adults should take responsibility for their own actions"

It's not so much that the seller has a responsibility - it's the more general point of being the owner of the car and needing to check.

It's the same as if you let your mate borrow your car and he doesn't have insurance. You are liable for allowing him to drive uninsured - even if he doesn't crash, but is simply pulled over by the police for a spot check and they find out, you can be done.
The common sense bit is that own the car, you have the keys - would you let someone clearly pissed drive your car and say "it's their responsibility"?

[VectraMan]

I've just bought a new car (classic contractor's car) and need to sell the old, which is now uninsured.

[xoggoth]

Good grief. It would certainly be a good idea before letting somebody drive your car but I can't say it ever occurred to me the seller would have a legal responsible for checking insurance. Pity we don't have laws based on a few basic common sense principles, one of which is "adults should take responsibility for their own actions"

[barrydidit]

He now helps his new partner run a pub in a Welsh village.

Banned from driving and now living in a pub? Some cants get all the luck

[NickFitz]

This is why I never sell my cars

[zeitghost]

Motorist selling car is banned after buyer was killed during test drive - Telegraph

For dear old Freako of immortal memory, this refers to some unfortunate who didn't check that the chap who'd come to test drive his car was covered by insurance.