Straight answers to practical questions about driving, travelling, parking and getting around Northern Ireland.
Check the oil level regularly and before long journeys; nidirect includes fluid-level checks such as engine oil in its weekly maintenance guidance.
Yes. Incorrect tyre pressure can worsen steering and braking and can cause abnormal tyre wear.
Grip the steering wheel firmly, avoid sudden braking or steering and let the vehicle slow so you can stop safely at the side of the road.
A damaged tyre can be unsafe and may be illegal, so a significant cut, exposed cord, bulge or structural defect should be inspected and replaced as necessary before driving.
nidirect recommends checking tyre pressures weekly and when the tyres are cold.
Cars and light vans need at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the full circumference.
Comprehensive insurance normally includes third-party liability plus insured damage to your own vehicle, but the exact benefits and exclusions depend on the policy.
It covers your legal liability to other people plus specified loss from theft or fire, but it usually does not cover your own accidental collision damage.
Often yes, because insurance can be arranged around ownership and keeper details before the new V5C physically arrives, but you must give accurate information.
Tell the insurer when the policy terms require it and answer renewal questions accurately about convictions and endorsements.
Yes. Your address is a major rating factor and must be updated when you move.
Usually yes. Tell the insurer about vehicle modifications because they can affect risk, value, theft exposure and policy terms.
Fronting is misrepresenting who the main driver really is, usually to obtain a cheaper premium for a higher-risk driver.
A named driver can drive regularly, but the policy must truthfully identify the main driver; deliberately naming someone else as the main driver to get a cheaper premium can be insurance fronting.
Ordinary commuting and business use are different policy classes, so check whether your journeys go beyond travelling to one regular workplace.
No-claims discount is a premium reduction insurers may give for claim-free years; it is not a guarantee that your total premium will always fall.
It can. Even where another driver was responsible, insurers may still consider the incident in future risk pricing.
The excess is the amount you must contribute toward a covered claim before the insurer pays the remaining eligible cost.
Not automatically. 'Driving other cars' is a separate policy extension with restrictions and should never be assumed from comprehensive cover.
Report the accident to police and notify your insurer; uninsured-driver claims may also involve the Motor Insurers' Bureau depending on the circumstances.
Avoid making legal admissions of liability at the scene; exchange facts and let insurers assess responsibility using the evidence.
Photograph the overall scene, vehicle positions, damage, number plates, road markings, signs and any debris or skid marks, but only when it is safe.
If required details were not exchanged after an accident involving damage or injury, report it to police as soon as possible and within 24 hours.
If an accident causes injury or damage, you must give your name and address, the vehicle owner's name and address and the vehicle registration to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask.
Yes. nidirect says you should report an accident to your insurer even if you do not intend to make a claim.
At minimum, you need third-party motor insurance to use a vehicle on the road.
Yes. Assigning or removing a personalised registration triggers a new V5C, and you must tell your insurer about the new registration number.
No. Vehicle tax is not transferable between vehicles or between keepers.
Alongside the normal tax documents, Northern Ireland Post Office taxation requires paper insurance evidence and MOT or Temporary Exemption Certificate evidence where applicable.
Sometimes. If you have just bought the car, the green new-keeper slip can usually be used; otherwise you may need to apply for a replacement V5C.
