Your Legal Obligations As A UK Driver

This article looks at your obligations as a UK driver – whether you drive a vehicle or a motor cycle - and addresses important issues such as vehicle tax, insurance, when to renew your licence and how to avoid being prosecuted for falling foul of your obligations as a UK driver.

You

To obtain a provisional – and latterly a full – drivers licence in the UK you must be of minimum age for the particular kind of vehicle you are wishing to drive. For scooters/small motorcycles and cars this is usually 16 years of age and 17 years of age respectively. The licence you hold must be appropriate to the type of vehicle you drive. For example, larger vehicles and HGVs will require your licence to specifically cover you to drive these type of vehicles. It may be that due to changes in your lifestyle and/or job you will be required to change your licence to reflect a higher category of vehicle. In order to obtain a UK drivers license – either full or provisional – you must also satisfy the minimum eye sight standards as set out by the DVLA. Certain health problems, such as epilepsy or heart conditions, may affect your driving ability and you are obliged to inform the DVLA of such conditions. In the case of epilepsy, you will be required to surrender your licence from the date of the attack but may apply to renew it if you are free from any further attacks for one year. If you do not inform the DVLA of any relevant medical conditions, you may run the risk of invalidating your driver’s licence, which is a serious offence. When you reach the age of 70 you will automatically need to apply for your licence to be renewed.

Your vehicle

You must register your vehicle with the DVLA so that they have an accurate record of who owns the vehicle and where it is kept. You are legally required to advise the DVLA of any changes, such as change of name, address or ownership. Your vehicle must be road worthy and must have a valid MOT certificate at all times. You should also ensure that you vehicle displays a valid road tax disc at all times. Driving without an MOT certificate or a current tax disc is against the law. It is important that you take out motor insurance relevant to the type of vehicle you are driving and the type of journeys you make in your vehicle, i.e. business or domestic. Driving without a valid certificate of motor insurance is also an offence and you may be liable to prosecution if caught.

In summary, there are many steps you need to take when acquiring a UK driving licence and becoming the owner of a motor vehicle or motorcycle. Make sure you are fully aware of your obligations and legal responsibilities to stay within the law.

Bookmark This Article With:

• Tweet This
• Delicious
• Digg
• reddit
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon

We Help You Across England and Wales

Although we operate from offices near Gatwick in Surrey we regularly accept instructions across England and Wales and have barristers ready to represent you in all courts even at short notice. We can take full instructions on the telephone or in person.

Call us free on 0808 178 9002 or complete our Online Enquiry Form now for a
free no obligation opinion and discussion.

Credit Card Payments Accepted

Legal Website Design - Samson Consulting © Gray Hooper Holt LLP.

This web site has been developed with valid XHTML / CSS / Site Map / Terms

Gray Hooper Holt LLP is a firm of solicitors and is Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Its registered office is at 6 Linkfield Corner, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1BB and its company number is OC318445.