Vnuk insurance rules for vehicles on private land scrapped in UK

The Government is removing an EU insurance rule that requires vehicles used on private land to be insured.

The Vnuk law It would have forced owners of a wider range of vehicles beyond cars and motorbikes to have motor insurance, such as golf buggies, mobility scooters and quad bikes.

It would have extended to vehicles on private land, meaning even people with a ride-on lawnmower at home would have potentially required motor insurance.

A bill to scrap the EU’s Vnuk motor insurance law has passed through Parliament today (April 25, 2022) and will go on to receive royal assent to confirm changes in the law.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Sacking this nonsensical EU rule will protect the pockets of hard-working British people as we continue to help ease cost of living pressures.

“This is another Brexit win and I’m delighted this bill has rightfully passed through Parliament, saving billions of pounds of additional insurance costs and protecting our world-leading motorsports sector.”

The CEO of The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), Dominic Clayden, added: “The MIB welcomes the passing of the Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Bill. We have campaigned on this issue for a number of years and we’re delighted that the necessary legislation to remove the effects of Vnuk has now passed.”

RAC Insurance spokesperson Simon Williams said: “We welcome legislative changes that will scrap the controversial Vnuk requirement. Insisting people take out compulsory insurance for all manner of vehicles such as ride-on lawn mowers, quad bikes and golf buggies used on private land would have been an expensive and complicated process for the insurance industry, as well as one which could have led to higher premiums for all drivers. For these reasons we feel common sense has won out.”