Explanatory note

These Regulations are made in exercise of the powers in section 8(1) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (c. 16) in order to address failures of retained EU law to operate effectively and other deficiencies (in particular under section 8(2)(a), (d), (e) and (g)) arising from the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Regulation 1(4) to (6) is made in exercise of the power in paragraph 21 of Schedule 7 to that Act.

These Regulations make amendments to legislation in the field of compulsory motor insurance. Part 2 amends primary legislation, Part 3 amends subordinate legislation and Parts 4 and 5 amend Northern Ireland legislation. The amendments in regulations 2, 3, 5 and 6 adjust language and references to recognise that the United Kingdom is no longer a member State of the European Union but otherwise maintain the status quo in respect of compulsory third party liability insurance in the UK. Regulation 4 removes the requirement for the United Kingdom’s Motor Insurer’s Bureau (‘MIB’) to act as a Compensation Body under the European Union’s protection of visitors scheme (‘visiting victims scheme’) which will no longer be appropriate once the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. Regulation 1(4) ensures that the visiting victims scheme continues to apply where court proceedings are commenced before exit day by UK residents against MIB under regulation 11 or 13 of the Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Information Centre and Compensation Body) Regulations 2003.

An impact assessment of the effect of these Regulations on the costs to business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available from the Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR and is published alongside this instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.

An Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared and is available alongside this instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.