Grrr, this one is driving me mad.

A number of government web-sites are reminding drivers about this change in the law, but without specifying when it comes into force ("late spring" is the only time frame I've seen) or mentioning which SI will cover the change (I assume it's the RTA, but it would be nice to have confirmation).

Does anybody have a better Google mojo than mine? If so would you care to see what you can find out?

I can confirm the following regarding the New Motor Insurance Law:-

The Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) regulations were signed by Parliament on Friday 4th February 2011 and it is now an offence to be the registered keeper of a vehicle which may not be covered by insurance following a check against the Motor Insurance Database (MID), even if the vehicle is not driven on the road.

Process
The DVLA and MIB are working in partnership to identify uninsured vehicles by comparing insurance and registered keeper records on their respective databases. Under CIE, the registered keeper of a vehicle will be responsible for ensuring that insurance is in place and will be contacted if the vehicle does not appear on the MID. It is anticipated that the first letters will be issued around June 2011.

Upon receipt of an advisory letter, keepers will be asked to:

update their DVLA record (if vehicle has been sold or transferred)
declare vehicle SORN (statutory off road notice)
buy insurance
If the vehicle is insured and does not appear on www.askMID.com (Motor Insurance Database accessible to the public) then the insurance provider should be contacted.

Enforcement, in the form of a fine, will only follow if the keeper fails to comply with one of the above.

Exemptions
CIE does not apply in Northern Ireland. NI has a separate registration and licensing authority and they will make a decision whether or not to adopt CIE.

Vehicles are exempt from CIE, if

Vehicle has a valid SORN (Statutory off road notice)
Vehicle is exempted from SORN (as untaxed before 31/01/98 and has had no tax or SORN activity since)
Vehicle recorded as scrapped
Vehicle recorded as stolen and not recovered
Vehicle recorded as disposed to the trade
Vehicle recorded as disposed
Vehicle recorded as exported
Vehicle is owned by the crown, tax class (60)

I hope this helps Andrew

Regards
sarah

Thanks again, Sarah.

I had a bit more luck Googling once I realised that the key phrase was "Continuous Insurance Enforcement", but the SI (Road Safety Act 2006) is a pig to read.