60-second summary
Need to know how to check your van’s still covered? Here’s how to do it:
Check your registration number on the Motor Insurer’s Database.
If you’re struggling to remember which provider you’re insured with, check your emails, bank statements and paperwork.
If you find you’re not covered and you still want to drive your van, you’ll need insurance before you can get back behind the wheel.
It’s illegal to drive without insurance – or even park on a public road.
If you drive your van without insurance, you could face a £300 fine, six points on your licence, have your van seized and destroyed – or even be disqualified from driving.
If you’re no longer driving your van, you’ll need to contact the DVLA and declare it as SORN.
How can I check if my van is insured?
If you don’t know whether your van is insured, the first thing to do is check your registration number against the Motor Insurer’s Database (MID). This is a national register of all vehicles insured in the UK, and it’s free to search.
If you’ve forgotten who your insurance provider is, there are a few easy ways to check:
Search your emails
Check your bank statements
Look through your paperwork – in case it was sent in the post.
What are the penalties for failing to have van insurance?
It’s illegal to drive on any public road without insurance. If you’re caught, you could face severe penalties. These include:
A fixed penalty fine of £300
Up to six penalty points
Having your van seized by the police – and even paying a fee for the seizure
The police destroying your van if it’s seized and not reclaimed within 14 days
An unlimited fine and a driving ban – if you’re a repeat offender.
Do I still need insurance if I don’t drive my van?
Yes. Even if you never use your van, you legally have to have insurance unless you declare the vehicle as Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
Once a vehicle has been declared as SORN, you’re not allowed to drive or even park it on a public road. You’ll need to keep your van on your driveway, in a garage or on private land.
To apply for a SORN, you need to contact the DVLA either:
Online via the DVLA website
By phone on 0300 123 432 1 (24-hour service)
By post using a V890 form and sending it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR.
I’m not insured: What types of van insurance can I get?
If you’re not insured and you’re looking to get back on the road, there are a few types of van insurance to consider.
Private van insurance
If you only use your van for leisure, private van insurance can cover you for social or domestic trips. This might include things like camping, road trips and mountain biking, for example.
You can choose between the following kinds of private van insurance:
Third-party – the minimum legal cover requirement, protecting you against damage you cause to other people and their vehicles. This doesn’t cover you for damage to your van.
Third-party, fire and theft – offers the same cover as third-party insurance but with added protection for your van if it’s damaged by fire or stolen.
Comprehensive – all of the above, plus cover for any damage to your van, no matter whose fault it is.
You can also opt for add-ons to your private van insurance policy. These include things like breakdown cover, personal belongings cover, legal cover and courtesy van cover.
Business van insurance
If you use your van for work, you’ll need commercial van insurance that can cover you for business-specific risks.
There are two main types to consider:
Carriage of own goods – this offers cover for commuting and private use, plus protection for any of your own business goods. For example, tools and equipment if you’re a tradesperson.
Haulage (hire and reward) – cover for if you use your van to transport other people’s goods for payment, eg: if you’re a courier or delivery driver. It also covers you for private use.
Compare van insurance
Whatever you use your van for, we compare some of the UK’s most trusted van insurance providers to help you search for a great deal on your cover.
Simply give us a few details about yourself and your van, and we’ll provide you with a list of quotes to compare. That way, you can choose the one that’s most suitable for you.
Julie is passionate about delivering a great customer experience and rewarding people for saving on their insurance through our loyalty and rewards programme. She’s spoken to the media, including outlets like Sky News, about car and home insurance, as well as our Meerkat rewards scheme.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by AI. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
