Continuous insurance enforcement (CIE) letters

An insurance warning letter means DVLA's records show a vehicle registered to you as uninsured and not SORN. Here's what to do.

Checked against GOV.UK guidance · Updated 25 October 2026

Why you got the letter

Under continuous insurance enforcement, a registered vehicle must be insured unless it's declared SORN (GOV.UK). DVLA matches its records against the Motor Insurance Database (MID). If there's no match, the registered keeper is contacted. Common causes:

• your policy lapsed or was cancelled before a SORN was in place
• a renewal went through late, or under a different registration (for example after a private plate change)
• the policy is in a different name and the MID record has an error
• you sold the vehicle but DVLA still has you as keeper

The penalties

GOV.UK says the registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle that isn't declared SORN could:

• be fined £100
• have the vehicle clamped, impounded or destroyed
• face court and a maximum fine of £1,000

What to do now

1. Insured? Check the vehicle on askMID. If it shows as uninsured but you have a policy, ask your insurer to correct the MID entry, then respond to the letter with your certificate.
2. Not insured and off the road? Make a SORN straight away (how to SORN). Then respond to the letter as instructed.
3. Not insured and you're using it? Stop driving it and insure it immediately. The police can give a £300 fixed penalty and 6 points for driving uninsured.
4. Sold it? Tell DVLA (GOV.UK) and keep proof of the sale date.
5. Fined? Pay through Pay a DVLA fine, then make sure the vehicle is insured, SORN or recorded as no longer yours.

Avoiding CIE letters

• Make the SORN before you cancel insurance.
• Set renewal reminders and check the MID after any change.
• Update DVLA when you sell, scrap or move (address wrong on V5C).

More: SORN and car insurance.