Buying a car

[brahim]

i am going to buy a car in Scotland, can i drive home without insurance?

[Buenchico]

The law on motoring insurance is the same throughout the UK. If you're not insured to drive it, you can't drive it.

If you've already got insurance for another vehicle, this MIGHT permit you to drive the new one. (Most insurance policies allow you to drive another vehicle with third party cover only. Some policies, however, specifically exclude a second vehicle owned by the insured person)

Otherwise it's safest to take your mobile phone with you and arrange your new insurance before you drive a single yard.

Chris

[Grunty]

Remember that many of the roadside cameras can read the number plate and check instantly on insurance, MOT and road tax. If you do decide to risk it, you must be prepared for a lynching if an accident happens.

[gammaray]

Your existing insurer (if you have one) will provide a temporary (24hr) cover note to enable you to drive the car from Scotland to your home. If you don't have an existing insurer, as Buenchico says, take your phone and arange it before you attempt to drive.

[PhilLew]

Why dont you take a friend who has their own insurance and will therefore be covered to drivre your new purchase home for you, although they will only have third party cover so if the worst should happen the insurance would not pay for damage to your car!

[whqttt]

I believe not having insurance is also a criminal offence, rather than a civil one which could get you a fine - so you could well end up being in a lot of trouble for want of a few minutes on the phone while in Scotland.

If you can't get a friend to drive (as others have said their policies might let them drive a car they don't own) could you not borrow a trailer and drive it home on that?