Insurance disc and speedo legalities

Ger Roe

Can anyone please advise on the legal situation regarding the following :

I know of a company where van drivers have been provided with vehicles that are not displaying insurance discs. I have heard that this might be common practice for companies with large fleets, but I have not yet been able to find any legal explanations other than insurance discs must be displayed on all vehicles. What is the legal situation if the driver is stopped for an insurance check?

Also, the vehicles are newly registered, but have the speedometer indication printed in MPH as the dominant display with Km/h far less visible, to the point of being practically ineffective in daylight. Again, does anyone know if this is legally acceptable?

Thanks.

R.O.R

Ger Roe wrote: »

Can anyone please advise on the legal situation regarding the following :

I know of a company where van drivers have been provided with vehicles that are not displaying insurance discs. I have heard that this might be common practice for companies with large fleets, but I have not yet been able to find any legal explanations other than insurance discs must be displayed on all vehicles. What is the legal situation if the driver is stopped for an insurance check?

Also, the vehicles are newly registered, but have the speedometer indication printed in MPH as the dominant display with Km/h far less visible, to the point of being practically ineffective in daylight. Again, does anyone know if this is legally acceptable?

Thanks.

Speedo is legal. I don't think it even has to display KM/H to be re-registered in Ireland, so the fact it's there is a bonus.

I think you have 10 days grace to display a valid insurance disc. If the vans are being provided by who I think it is (not south fence) then I'm not sure they provide insurance, and it should be displaying an insurance disc from the company who are leasing/renting the vehicles.

Drivers should kick up a fuss about not having valid insurance discs on the vans.

coylemj

It is a 'good defence' for a driver prosecuted for driving with no insurance to show that he was driving in the course of his employment, this basically lets the employee off the hook. The employer as owner of the vehicle can be prosecuted instead.

(6) Where a person charged with an offence under this section was the servant of the owner of the vehicle, it shall be a good defence to the charge for the person to show that he was using the vehicle in obedience to the express orders of the owner.


http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1961/en/act/pub/0024/sec0056.html#sec56

oldyouth

There are exempt persons

Ireland[edit]
The Road Traffic Act, 1933 requires all drivers of mechanically propelled vehicles in public places to have at least third-party insurance, or to have obtained exemption – generally by depositing a (large) sum of money with the High Court as a guarantee against claims. In 1933 this figure was set at £15,000.[7] The Road Traffic Act, 1961[8] (which is currently in force) repealed the 1933 act but replaced these sections with functionally identical sections.

From 1968, those making deposits require the consent of the Minister for Transport to do so, with the sum specified by the Minister.

Those not exempted from obtaining insurance must obtain a certificate of insurance from their insurance provider, and display a portion of this (an insurance disc) on their vehicles windscreen (if fitted). The certificate in full must be presented to a police station within ten days if requested by an officer. Proof of having insurance or an exemption must also be provided to pay for the motor tax.

Ger Roe

I appreciate the replies guys - thanks.

dr.fuzzenstein

So it looks like your company deposited a large sum of money with the high court.