You’ve passed your driving test, and you’ve just got your first ever car. It’s an exciting time in your life. Before you put the key into the ignition and get started driving, there are a few legal issues that you should be aware of. Let’s get started.
Road Tax
You need to be aware of road tax when it comes to driving your car for the first time. There are different car tax bands that your car will be eligible for, and they are broken down into a few different categories. For example, it could be to do with when your car was registered, or it could be down to the size of the engine and the amount of C02 emissions that are produced.
Car tax is also known as Vehicle Excise Duty or VED. It has been in place since 1937. Nowadays, it is the DVLA’s responsibility to handle vehicle and driver registrations. You will need to contact them to go over any legal issues with your vehicle registration. This road tax is used to help improve the infrastructure surrounding roads.
Insurance
It’s important that you’re aware of the legal matter regarding your insurance. Growing up, many believe that insurance is more of a benefit and a perk, rather than a legal necessity. In fact, it will be a legal requirement to have motor insurance when driving in the UK.
At the very least, you will need third-party coverage. The type of insurance and its cost can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Some car brands and makes will have more premium prices than others. This could be either due to the car’s materials or the car’s age. A Vauxhall Tigra, for example, shouldn’t be too expensive of a cost when it comes to both purchasing it and insuring it. If this is your vehicle, then look at these quotes that can be found from Quotezone.co.uk. You will be able to compare quotes from multiple providers and find the most suitable deal for yourself.
Compare providers before you choose one, as you will be able to save money via your policy and find a more relevant policy that suits your car and life. Essentially, insurance is something that you absolutely need to have legally before you start driving on the roads.
Important Documents
There are other legal documents that you need to have before you can start driving. Of course, you will need to have a valid driver’s licence, and you will need to also have a valid MOT certificate for your vehicle in order to show any police that your vehicle is roadworthy and that you’re eligible to drive.
If you do not have your documents with you when the police stop you, then you will legally be required to provide them to a police station over the next seven days. It’s important that you have your legal documents on you when driving, including insurance details, so that you can prove your legality. You should ensure you have copies so that you’re covered for all eventualities.