Points on your licence

[Richard C]

My lovable but “know it all” daughter has just been fined £60 + 3 points for using her mobile phone in her car. I say she must tell her insurance company or they may well decline to pay any claim in the event on an accident; been there, done that & got the T shirt many, many years ago! She says the police told her she didn’t need to which I just don’t believe!

I’m convinced I’m right or at least it’s the safest option to follow; anyone have experience in these particular circumstances, know for certain or can point in the right direction? Showing her “in print” might make her see sense!

 

[JohnD]

if she hadn't lost her policy and copy of the application form, you could suggest she read them.

 

[Spark123]

Yes, you need to inform the insurance company.

 

[blondini]

It will be a requirement of the policy that any accidents or convictions, or any material changes are notified, and they could refuse a claim if you didn't tell them. It's just not worth the risk.

http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/...motor_insurance_firms_drivers_told_105737.htm

http://www.4road.co.uk/cheap_insurance_tips/motor/driving_licence_points.htm

 

[wotan]

My lovable but “know it all” daughter has just been fined £60 + 3 points for using her mobile phone in her car. I say she must tell her insurance company or they may well decline to pay any claim in the event on an accident; been there, done that & got the T shirt many, many years ago! She says the police told her she didn’t need to which I just don’t believe!

I’m convinced I’m right or at least it’s the safest option to follow; anyone have experience in these particular circumstances, know for certain or can point in the right direction? Showing her “in print” might make her see sense!

Irony is, she could have brought a hands free kit for far less than £60 then there would have been no hassle or points.

wotan

 

[SeanT]

The only enforceable notification of any changes is upon renewal, not telling them until then is frowned upon (by them), but they can't do a busting lot about it. I wouldn't recommend it mind.

 

[Richard C]

Thanks all for the input. My daughter is a well educated & responsible adult & confronted with sources other than mine, she has seen sense & phoned her insurance company; why don’t they ever believe parents! The insurance company noted it but said she must ring back when her licence is returned, something about an offence code? News to me as I’ve been a good boy for quiet a few years now!

To pick up on a couple of points;

Irony is, she could have brought a hands free kit for far less than £60 then there would have been no hassle or points.

She actually has a blue tooth & was wearing/using it when stopped & cautioned by an unmarked police car; they said he would have arrested her if she hadn’t had her baby son in the back. When she protested her innocence, it was explained she was seen to touch the phone (which she admitted) when making the call & that’s an offence! There was also a truck driver done recently because he took his switched off mobile out of his pocket & put it on the dashboard; he went to court & still got done. It seems the law says you’re not allowed to touch the phone even if it’s not switched on so beware what you do with your mobile while driving. There is evidence of absolutely no leniency when there are targets to meet; but that's another story!

The only enforceable notification of any changes is upon renewal, not telling them until then is frowned upon (by them), but they can't do a busting lot about it. I wouldn't recommend it mind.

From personal experience, I know you’re wrong there I'm afraid; it's what made it so frustrating my daughter would not listen to me! blondini is correct, they can refuse to pay a claim if you fail to disclose a change in material facts within a reasonable time. I know this because it happened to me some years ago, when I wasn’t such a good boy! I got done for careless, was going to tell them at renewal but then had an accident; not my fault. My insurance company refused to pay out & solicitors advice deemed it was a waste of time pursuing it; but I did get the balance of my premium returned from the date of my conviction but had to pick up the tab for repairs.

Thanks again for the help, be careful it’s a minefield out there!

 

[Spark123]

She actually has a blue tooth & was wearing/using it when stopped & cautioned by an unmarked police car; they said he would have arrested her if she hadn’t had her baby son in the back. When she protested her innocence, it was explained she was seen to touch the phone (which she admitted) when making the call & that’s an offence!

Possibly part 2 (6) here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20032695.htm

I have heard of drivers being prosecuted for using a mobile phone whilst parked up with their engines running.

 

[Adam_151]

She actually has a blue tooth & was wearing/using it when stopped & cautioned by an unmarked police car; they said he would have arrested her if she hadn’t had her baby son in the back. When she protested her innocence, it was explained she was seen to touch the phone (which she admitted) when making the call & that’s an offence! There was also a truck driver done recently because he took his switched off mobile out of his pocket & put it on the dashboard; he went to court & still got done. It seems the law says you’re not allowed to touch the phone even if it’s not switched on so beware what you do with your mobile while driving. There is evidence of absolutely no leniency when there are targets to meet; but that's another story!

Thats not what the law says at all, it refers to using a handheld phone, your daughter's case rests on how she pressed the button, if she picked the phone up to do it, then that was clearly handheld, if it was mounted in a cradle on the dash and she just prodded at it, then thats not handheld (and in which case, you'd be a fool to accept a FPN for that)

As to the truck driver, he was clearly holding it, but was he using it, chances are, probably not, unless he was using it to show a passenger a new phone he just bought/ using it to squash bugs on the dash board/ any other daft uses for a phone you can think of

 

[JohnD]

Thats not what the law says

That's interesting, can you show us the wording?

 

[Adam_151]

Paul's post links to it

 

[Agile]

You are not allowed to HOLD a phone while driving!

Driving is in this context includes when parked with the engine running.

Having your engine running when parked on a yellow line does not stop you getting a ticket.

Tony

 

[Spark123]

I know, but at the same time a motorist who is using a hand held moble device in a car which has pulled over but which still the engine running is imo taking the law on this a bit over the top.

 

[Agile]

I dont think you mean what you have said Spark?

Dont you mean that a policeman is OTT by doing someone who has pulled over and stopped?

Keeping the engine running is actually safer than having it off!

SAFETY TIP start the engine BEFORE you put on the seat belt on.

Tony

 

[JohnD]

SAFETY TIP start the engine BEFORE you put on the seat belt on.

why?