Friend drove car without insurance

Mars33

Hey..

A few months ago I allowed my friend to drive my car... I thought he was covered on my policy... We got pulled over at a routine check point he was asked to produce insurance policy within 2wks... We produced my insurance policy and his own insurance policy turns out he wasn't covered... He received a summons for drivin with no insurance he got lucky on the day and case struck out... I'm in court this wk for allowing someone to drive vehicle with no insurance... Does anybody have any idea what sort of punishment I could b facing??

MascotDec85

Mars33 wrote: »

Hey..

A few months ago I allowed my friend to drive my car... I thought he was covered on my policy... We got pulled over at a routine check point he was asked to produce insurance policy within 2wks... We produced my insurance policy and his own insurance policy turns out he wasn't covered... He received a summons for drivin with no insurance he got lucky on the day and case struck out... I'm in court this wk for allowing someone to drive vehicle with no insurance... Does anybody have any idea what sort of punishment I could b facing??

Any decent solicitor should argue that both cases were connected and his was struck out, therefore yours should too. It was a genuine mistake by the sounds of things. Good luck

jimgoose

Theoretically there is no distinction between the offence of driving without insurance and allowing your car to be driven without insurance. In practice, convictions for the latter are relatively rare. As said, it appears that the judge decided the first time that since you both had insurance there was little to be gained by stringing either of you up, and this should hold this time as well provided that solicitor is awake. Did your mate have no standard driving-other-cars extension, no?

Del2005

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Any decent solicitor should argue that both cases were connected and his was struck out, therefore yours should too. It was a genuine mistake by the sounds of things. Good luck

+1

OP get a solicitor, it'll be cheaper than the potential fines.

Mars33

Hey..

So went to court today got a shock... I've to go back on the 10th December and I'm lookin at a possible 2 year ban for allowing somebody to drive my car with no insurance... Even tho his case was thrown out they said mine is a separate case because I allowed him to drive... Solicitor says could b lookin at 2 year ban cause its classes as just drivin without insurance even tho it was genuinely a mistake... I have to go back and try convince the judge of that... I'm shocked that the punishment could b so harsh... Thanx for the advice

MascotDec85

Mars33 wrote: »

Hey..

So went to court today got a shock... I've to go back on the 10th December and I'm lookin at a possible 2 year ban for allowing somebody to drive my car with no insurance... Even tho his case was thrown out they said mine is a separate case because I allowed him to drive... Solicitor says could b lookin at 2 year ban cause its classes as just drivin without insurance even tho it was genuinely a mistake... I have to go back and try convince the judge of that... I'm shocked that the punishment could b so harsh... Thanx for the advice

Solicitors ALWAYS give you worst case scenario. They need to prepare you for what could happen.

When you go back in December and give evidence show genuine remorse and explain calmly that it was a genuine mistake. Explain that under no circumstances would you have allowed your friend to drive if you thought for one minute that he/she wasn't covered.

Your solicitor should strongly argue that it would be unfair in the extreme if you were the only one punished. Both cases are intrinsically connected. If you've a good driving record, no points, no claims they should make a point of that also.

Depending on your financial situation claim hardship too. Increased insurance costs in future, needing a car for work blah, blah, blah

Best of luck but do remember your solicitor has to warn you of the stiffest conviction you could get.