The police use the database, and it can be a pain if you're stopped. They believe the database and it's up to you to prove you're insured.
Tell me about it.
Stopped 10pm Sunday evening, bike apparently not on MID, bike impounded (cost of £105), meds had well faded by then so arrested for losing the plot, etc, etc.......subsequently found not guilty of public order offences, still waiting for refund of £105 recovery fee 14 months on.
Here's the kicker for me.....
The bike is registered to me, at my home address.
My driving license (verified at roadside) is at my home address.
The bike is MOT'd
The bike is Taxed
Everything you can think of is above board, so why the f**k would I not have insurance (especially when it is so cheap).
The double kicker.....we were less than 5 minutes from my home address.
Although I guess it was just too obvious to take me home so I could show the insurance certificate
