A vehicle must have valid insurance cover whenever it is on public roads, whether it is being driven or simply parked on the street. In the UK, the law requires every car on the road to have continuous insurance coverage with no gaps, except for specific situations like when the car is formally registered as off-the-road with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), or when it is between registered keepers or held in stock by an authorized dealer. Driving or having a vehicle on the road without valid insurance can lead to severe penalties, including unlimited fines. Valid insurance is necessary before taxing the vehicle and is essential to protect all road users financially in case of accidents or damages. This insurance requirement applies even if someone else is driving the car; the registered keeper is responsible for ensuring valid insurance coverage on the vehicle.