Pictured above: (l-r) Stephen Scully and Chris Grainger

Shropshire residents need to be aware of a new car insurance rule which has recently come into force reports Stephen Scully, solicitor and motoring law expert at local law firm Lanyon Bowdler.

The new law known as the Continuous Insurance Enforcement rule requires all registered vehicles to have valid insurance.

Previously, it has only been illegal to drive a vehicle without insurance but this new law now requires all vehicles to be insured even if they are not being used.

From 20 June 2011 the law will start being enforced. Initially people can expect to be fined £100 rising to £1,000 for non compliance, but other sanctions include clamping, car seizure and ultimately the vehicle being destroyed if warning letters are ignored. 

The only exception to the law is if you can produce a valid SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notice) confirming that the vehicle is kept off road such as in your garage or on a private driveway. 

Owners of vehicles which are not insured should soon be receiving an Insurance Advisory Letter from the Motor Insurance Database (MID) warning that unless insurance is put in place they will be prosecuted. 

Stephen Scully comments "this new law is something that many people will not be aware of, and yet the implications of not adhering to it can be quite severe so it is very important to get the message across. Our team of solicitors are experienced in all aspects of motoring law and can provide expert advice to anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they need legal assistance".  

For more information about Lanyon Bowdler, please visit their website here: www.lblaw.co.uk