My cousin was caught speeding in my car (which he took without permission)

LegacyUser · 30-11-2017 09:20PM #1

As the title says, my cousin was caught speeding in my car (which he took without permission) and now I got a FCPN in the post.

I had been drinking the night before and my home breath tester gave me a positive reading for being above the limit, so I left my car at home and got public transport to work. My cousin (who lives next door) saw my car there and told my dad that I gave him permission to use my car. I never knew about him taking the car until today.

He took my car and was caught at 126 km/h in a 12 km/h zone by a van. My dad was shocked that I didn't know and angry that my cousin lied to him.

I got the FCPN today. I am fuming.

Here's the catch. He's applying for a courier job that requires zero points on his license and he wants me to take the hit. He spent time and money on his C license. So he can't have the points. He wants me to take the hit and take the points (I am in a secure job where they don't care if you arrive by unicycle). I don't want points though but I don't want to spoil his chance of getting a good job.

Tokyo · 01-12-2017 04:03AM

If he cared about his upcoming job that much, he wouldn't have a) taken your car without permission, and b) been speeding in it. The fact of the matter is, he's playing you for a fool if he expects to both get away with taking your car in the first place, and for you to take the rap for his speeding and penalty points. If he'd hit somebody, would he expect your insurance to cover it too?

Report him as the driver at the time - he made his bed, now it's time for him to lie in it.

Big Bag of Chips · 01-12-2017 04:51AM

You know your insurance might also go up a little because of having penalty points. And they stay on your licence for 3 years? I know insurance companies claim that 2 points don't affect your premium, but premiums seem to be steadily on the rise these days.

Your cousin has no respect for you or your property. Yet expects you to be a mug for him. Nice guy.

Odyssey 2005 · 01-12-2017 05:36AM

My ins co doesn't load me if I have just 3 points (I dont) but they do give a decent discount for having no points. As has been said send the FCPN back with his name and address and be thankful be didn't crash your car,wonder where you would stand if this was the case?

Kidchameleon · 01-12-2017 08:03AM

Do not under any circumstances take those points.

SteM · 01-12-2017 08:15AM

He wants a job as a courier that requires a points free license but is happy to go out doing something he knows incurs points. Even if you take the points (don't) its likely that he's not smart enough to stay under the limit in the future and he'll pick up points then anyway.

Hitman3000 · 01-12-2017 08:36AM

OP I know it's a sh*tty thing of your cousin to do to try and get you to take the points. I would however if it were me take the points if it means he gets the job but I would make sure he would be contribute to my insurance for the next 3 years. Just my 2 cents. Good luck whatever you do. Although how close you are to him will help in your decision.

suicide_circus · 01-12-2017 08:37AM

If you do take the points hit he needs to give you a substantial lump of cash compensation.

naughtysmurf · 01-12-2017 09:03AM

If you decide to take the points for him, charge him €1500 for that service, he needs to understand there is a price to be paid for his actions

Caranica · 01-12-2017 09:08AM

If you take the hit you are breaking the law. You were not driving, the penalty does not belong to you. Sure it could screw up your cousin 's job plans but that's his fault not yours. He has to deal with the consequences of his actions

GingerLily · 01-12-2017 09:27AM

I would probably help him in your position, IF he apologied sincerely and gave a generous cash donation to you.

Tenigate · 01-12-2017 09:28AM

I'd take the points but I'd expect to be adequately compensated.

Donnielighto · 01-12-2017 09:32AM

He can pay any increase over your current rate for three years, but will he? Once you have the points what can you do if this scrote acts up.

august12 · 01-12-2017 09:39AM

I certainly wouldn't take the points, you could easily rack up a further 3 points someday and then have 6 on your record, he drove without your knowledge which only came to light because of the points and lied to your father in the process, you are not responsible for him. Also, wouldn't it be illegal to accept points when you weren't driving.

Tigger99 · 01-12-2017 09:51AM

Is that a typo or did he do 128 in a 12 km/h zone?

Wanderer78 · 01-12-2017 09:52AM

Tigger99 wrote:

Is that a typo or did he do 128 in a 12 km/h zone?

Typo, never came across a 12 k zone and he d be banned if he did

farmerwifelet · 01-12-2017 10:14AM

Wasn't there a case a while back in England where a wife took the points for her husband and they ended up in court and I think there may have been a jail sentence involved.

I certainly wouldn't take the hit for him - he is an adult and if he behaves like a child then there are consequences - if he gets rewarded for bad behaviour why would he change? next time he could hit someone or drive drunk. Actions have consequences he has to take responsibility.

redcup342 · 01-12-2017 11:34AM

OP you could end up the guy that's in the paper

"Judge puts two cousins in jail for 1 month to set an example for others that try to cheat the system"

The Princess Bride · 01-12-2017 12:03PM

You know something?
If he'd taken the car with your consent and was speeding, I'd probably consider taking the points in light of the new job etc. ..
But he lied to your dad, he took the car without your consent.
Ironically, you were being responsible by NOT driving your car after a night of drinking, otherwise none of this would have happened.

You know your cousin better than us.
If he's an irresponsible jack the lad who's always taking chances and expects you to take the points, well no way.
If you've a usually good relationship and this is out of character for him, well, I'd probably consider his request.

mordeith · 01-12-2017 12:10PM

If he took someone else's car then wasn't he was also driving uninsured (on that particular vehicle)?

bucketybuck · 01-12-2017 12:15PM

If I was the OP my response to the cousin would be three words, with "go" and "yourself" being two of them.

Dark Phoenix · 01-12-2017 12:39PM

126 in a 12km zone? that is not just speeding that is insane. OP if he cared that much about his job he wouldn't have done it. The reality is you could take the hit now, he goes to his job and he ends up losing it anyway as he will inevitably get caught speeding at work or in his own car at some stage because he hasnt learned anything so you taking the points now will have been pointless.

freshpopcorn · 01-12-2017 12:43PM

OP you are asking should you break the law and I don't know is that allowed here on Boards.
Well the generally answer here on Boards given is don't do it. They'd be talks of the camera having a picture of the driver etc and you'll end up in lots of trouble.
I have heard of countless people taking penalty points for one another over the years and nothing has never come of it.
If I was you I'd look at the situation and view your relationship with your cousin in general and make your choice based on that or have a discussion with him/family. Would it be possible his parents could help out? I know of a few mammy's/daddy's who have there children's points.

donspeekinglesh · 01-12-2017 12:53PM

farmerwifelet wrote: »

Wasn't there a case a while back in England where a wife took the points for her husband and they ended up in court and I think there may have been a jail sentence involved.

Yes, he was a government minister: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R_v_Huhne

December2012 · 01-12-2017 12:54PM

He wants to drive for a living, so he stole your car, got penalty points and won’t take his punishment? It’s his fault. Don’t be a sucker for that idiot.

august12 · 01-12-2017 01:08PM

freshpopcorn wrote:

Would it be possible his parents could help out? I know of a few mammy's/daddy's who have there children's points.

That's a very interesting point, how come he never suggested this to you? Do not under any circumstances accept liability for this,

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 01-12-2017 01:12PM

Very easy for people removed from the situation to say fcuk him let him take the points.

He's a relative, who lives next door to you? Close enough family by the sounds of it?

It's a really unfair situation but you have to weigh up if it's worth it. Obviously he is never to drive your car again and an upfront cash donation to cover some of your insurance seems more than fair.

LegacyUser · 01-12-2017 01:13PM

Please don't take the points on behalf of your cousin; it's obvious that he doesn't have an ounce of respect for either you or the law. He essentially stole your car and then committed an offence whilst driving it - knowing full well that his job depended on having a clean license. Why on earth should you pay the price for his wanton irresponsibility?

freshpopcorn · 01-12-2017 01:14PM

august12 wrote: »

That's a very interesting point, how come he never suggested this to you? Do not under any circumstances accept liability for this,

In all honesty mightn't have taught of it. I know somebody in a similar position and they never taught of it until somebody suggested it to them!

I Am_Not_Ice · 01-12-2017 01:15PM

Please don't take the points on behalf of your cousin; it's obvious that he doesn't have an ounce of respect for either you or the law. He essentially stole your car and then committed an offence whilst driving it - knowing full well that his job depended on having a clean license. Why on earth should you pay the price for his wanton irresponsibility?

dellas1979 · 03-12-2017 01:16AM

Well, my insurance company charges me e75 for every penalty point.

I think you should sit down with your cousin and talk about what happened. And the consequence for you.

All he is thinking now is about himself. As most people in these situations do. And that's not fair on you.

You dont have to take the points for him. Does he have a brother/father/sister who could take the hit for him? In that case, Id be like "sorry not being the fall guy here, sort your own mess out and ask someone else".

My cousin was caught speeding in my car (which he took without permission)

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