DVLA Prosecutes 76-Year-Old Dementia Patient Over Uninsured Car
A 76-year-old woman from Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire, who suffers from dementia and receives 24-hour care, has been convicted by the DVLA for failing to insure her car. This prosecution occurred even though the vehicle has not been driven since 2024 and has been stored in her garage for over 18 months.
Court Proceedings and Absolute Discharge
In a hearing at a magistrate's court in Leicester, the woman was found guilty of keeping a vehicle without valid insurance. Her son-in-law pleaded guilty on her behalf, as she is unable to understand legal documents due to her condition. The court granted her an absolute discharge, meaning no fine or costs were imposed.
The son-in-law explained that the car, a Ford registered in her name, was not insured because she had given up driving. However, the necessary documents to declare the vehicle off the road, known as a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), were not completed. He stated, "Unfortunately, the SORN was not completed. We are currently unable to find her V5C and logbook."
Challenges with Legal Paperwork
The prosecution was initiated after the DVLA noticed the lapse in August last year. The son-in-law highlighted the overwhelming nature of the paperwork, noting that it would be impossible for his mother-in-law to comprehend on her own. He said, "If in fact she was trying to understand this on her own, it would be impossible for her as the paperwork is very overwhelming."
He added, "I am pleading guilty on her behalf because we understand an offence has been committed, as we do not have up-to-date insurance for her. But I think really the only offence here is that we didn't apply for the SORN. It is unclear to me what the fine might be as there is no explanation on the paperwork."
This case raises questions about the handling of legal matters involving vulnerable individuals with cognitive impairments, particularly in situations where they are no longer able to drive but remain vehicle owners.
