Is there an official UK government web site listing all UK criminal laws?

Question

I am looking specifically for laws concerning vehicle ownership, keeping, and motoring offences.

The reason I ask is that I am wondering whether it is a criminal offence to not register your vehicle (the DVLA V5 registration) and drive it on UK roads. Assuming you have tax, insurance, MOT, and a valid driving licence.

People have said it is illegal but try as I will I can't find the relevant UK law regarding this.

Thanks

Thanks for the first four answers so far, but they don't answer the question, which is what is the relevant road traffic act or law stating that you must have a registered vehicle.

Wilfred: When you tax a vehicle it does not get registered by this action.

moggle: you can only get fined if you are breaking the law. It is that law that I cam trying to find.
Also you don't need a V5 to get tax, only insurance and MOT.

If you commit minor traffic offences such as speeding I think it is highly unlikely that the police would track you down through insurance records - how would they know which insurance companies to search?

Jellicoe: The SORN regulations are a requirement for the registered keeper of the vehicle. So if the vehicle is not registered it does not have a registered keeper, so SORN does not apply to the owner (me) as far as I can see.

As an aside, I've taken a look at the DVLA application form to register a vehicle (the V5 registration) here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=85562&Rendition=Web

and nowhere on the form does it say there is a legal requirement to complete it, or that it is a criminal offence not to complete it.

Answer 1

Have you tried http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/ ?

Haven't searched it to see if it has the legislation you're interested in - don't really have the time or the inclination tonight! Should be worth a look though. It's answered me a few questions in the past.

Answer 2

It's the SORN Regulations that you are looking for (Statutory Off Road Notification). Your vehicle MUST be registered with the DVLA as either off or on road. There is no "do nothing" option associated with these regulations.

As suggested by other posters, look at the DVLA website:

http:/www.direct.gov.uk/motoring

Edit:
The police can track you down through your insurance company and in a matter of seconds to boot. Have you ever taxed your vehicle over the 'phone? The robot at the other end knows if the vehicle is insured and MOT'd and will accept or refuse your appliacation accordingly. It takes about 5 seconds to make the check.

Answer 3

How do you tax your car without a V5 (Registration document) When you buy it the current owner tells dvla then it goes on the records and previous keeper details only. You get caught driving you get fined. Your insurance company will ask who is the registered keeper of the vehicle and if you commit offences in this car the police will track you down, not through the keeper detail held by dvla but through the insurance details that are provided to the Police and recorded with your vehicle details on their national computer.

The real question here is why not register the car? What are you trying to hide?

Answer 4

you should go to the DVLA WEB SITE and search for sorn regs.

BUT on reading your question IF the vehicle is taxed and automatically is registererd so I really cannot see what your problem is exactly

got it know you are required to inform the change of ownership at the earliest possible time it is not illegal not do this, but it may cause you a few problems if you get a pull

to neil m you are completely wrongw hen you tax a vehicle what you are doing apart from taxing the vehicle is also registering in your name. you cannot tax the vehicle without the insurance that is valid and in your name.

I think what you are trying to do is to find a loophole because at some point you have fallen foul of the law. let me tell you you will never find any loophole by being such complete arsehole that you refuse to agree with answers that are given that are undoubtably are correct your gripe is with someone else so dont ask questions and if you dont agree with the answers you appear to be a very angry person and you refuse to believe any answers that dont suit your preconcieved theory you are always right ok pal

Answer 5

if you buy a vehicle and don't register yourself as the new owner. If the vehicle is stolen, the previous owner would be still registered as the legal owner, so could create problems for insurance claims....

also should you wish to sell the vehicle later or trade it in for another model. you will not be registered as the owner on the dealers computer, they may assume it is stolen..

also if the police pull you over on a random stop - the computer will not state you as the owner

Registering would be easier, and would save explanations
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/RegisteringAVehicle/DG_4022311
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/

You decide

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

Jesus Christ mate, there isn't a hard disk array yet built that's big enough to store them all!

We are a Police State...accept it.

Answer 8

yes