Home / Statutory documents / Vehicles
Motor insurance certificate
The insurance policy and certificate that cover the vehicle for use on the road.
This is general information for UK goods-vehicle operators. It is not legal advice. Use the official source on this page, and your operator licence conditions, before you rely on it.
What it is
It is an offence to use a vehicle on a road without at least third-party motor insurance that covers the use. Fleet policies, hire agreements and occasional business use all need to match how the vehicle is actually driven. The certificate, or proof the insurer provides, is the document that shows the cover.
Who holds it
The policyholder holds the certificate. Drivers need to know the vehicle is covered for their use, including hire and reward where that is what the job is. Operators should keep the schedule of vehicles on the policy in line with the fleet.
At a visit
Police can seize a vehicle that they believe is uninsured. A traffic commissioner looking at repute will also treat running uninsured vehicles as a serious failing.