Is a Garda insured to drive your car?

millington · 31-12-2013 03:27AM #1

Searched about this and couldn't find anything so lock it up and post the relevant thread if there is 1.

Is a Garda insured to drive your car when it's being seized, if you do not give him permission to drive it?

And I know nothing will come of it, but if he does so, is there any form of complaint that can be made about it?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 31-12-2013 03:29AM

Who's gonna stop him ?

and even if you don't give permission for them to drive your car they still can, thats why its called seizing i.e. your car from your possession

wonski · 31-12-2013 03:34AM

Pretty sure they are covered to drive seized car. Even if it is not an insurance policy as such.
Sorry for your loss:D

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy · 31-12-2013 03:40AM

You could try complaining to the Garda ombudsman. Not sure how far you'd get. I'd imagine gardai are covered to drive any vehicle once it's in the course of their duties.

How would any car ever be seized if you could just "refuse permission"?!

Peregrine · 31-12-2013 03:46AM

millington wrote: »

And I know nothing will come of it, but if he does so, is there any form of complaint that can be made about it?

Assuming the Garda was enforcing a law by seizing your vehicle, not really. It would be stupid to let people make complaints about Guards doing their job.

foggy_lad · 31-12-2013 03:46AM

millington wrote: »

Searched about this and couldn't find anything so lock it up and post the relevant thread if there is 1.

Is a Garda insured to drive your car when it's being seized, if you do not give him permission to drive it?

And I know nothing will come of it, but if he does so, is there any form of complaint that can be made about it?

Considering how they don't need to be licenced to drive gardai vehicles I would think they are allowed drive any vehicle they want if it is part of their duties. In this case the gardas driving would be insured in the same way they are insured while driving garda vehicles. If they seized your vehicle they no longer require your permission to move it or drive it. They would be entitled to remove the vehicle if they thought that someone might return to it and drive it away with a spare set of keys before the tow truck got there.

gctest50 · 31-12-2013 03:47AM

Could be worse :

https://www.youtube.com/v/zadq9usA2SQ

carzony · 31-12-2013 03:50AM

They can drive anything. Not nice seeing your car been driven away from you, is it? lol

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy · 31-12-2013 03:59AM

foggy_lad wrote: »

Considering how they don't need to be licenced to drive gardai vehicles I would think they are allowed drive any vehicle they want if it is part of their duties. In this case the gardas driving would be insured in the same way they are insured while driving garda vehicles. If they seized your vehicle they no longer require your permission to move it or drive it. They would be entitled to remove the vehicle if they thought that someone might return to it and drive it away with a spare set of keys before the tow truck got there.

Do you know of a source for this information? I've heard there are two types of garda drivers, "official" which would be one who has successfully completed the garda driver training course, and "unofficial" which is a garda who holds a full license. I'd be amazed and disappointed to hear that a garda could just hop into any car without at least having a license to drive it.

wonski · 31-12-2013 04:03AM

Johnny Electricity wrote: »

Do you know of a source for this information? I've heard there are two types of garda drivers, "official" which would be one who has successfully completed the garda driver training course, and "unofficial" which is a garda who holds a full license. I'd be amazed and disappointed to hear that a garda could just hop into any car without at least having a license to drive it.

They had a permission or something in the past, but i wouldn't call it a regular thing. As much valid as the folks who had their licences without taking the test. By today most, if not all Gardai do have a full driving license.

carzony · 31-12-2013 04:04AM

Johnny Electricity wrote: »

Do you know of a source for this information? I've heard there are two types of garda drivers, "official" which would be one who has successfully completed the garda driver training course, and "unofficial" which is a garda who holds a full license. I'd be amazed and disappointed to hear that a garda could just hop into any car without at least having a license to drive it.

It was in the news a while ago. A detective on his way to court knocked someone down and it turned out he didnt even have a license. Gardai are not required to hold a license when driving patrol cars..

I'm sure they'll say all drivers have a license but these days with cut backs ect.. I'd say anyone can jump in the drivers seat of those patrol cars..

angelfire9 · 31-12-2013 04:13AM

The permission ye are referring to is known as "Chef's permission" where the Chief Super of a district gives permission to members who have not completed the driving course to drive marked vehicles
This generally does NOT happen anymore, mainly because there are more trained Gardaí than there are available cars

All Gardaí driving official vehicles have basic category B driving licences :rolleyes:
And to answer the OP driving of vehicles while in the course of their duties is covered under the same insurance as Garda cars, ambulances, fire engines etc etc

As a side note would love to see a link to that alleged incident with the detective with no licence

carzony · 31-12-2013 04:16AM

angelfire9 wrote: »

As a side note would love to see a link to that alleged incident with the detective with no licence

I believe he was on his way to court and couldnt be charged because he didnt actually break any laws.. I'll look for the link.

carzony · 31-12-2013 04:17AM

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CFgQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishkop.com%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D12339&ei=FTfCUsSSPMXm7AaOx4DYAg&usg=AFQjCNEN1ZV93sYKGKp7IvpPGapprWnQvQ&sig2=js-m2uXyOOBlOeo51uqtcA

angelfire9 · 31-12-2013 04:18AM

carzony wrote: »

I believe he was on his way to court and couldnt be charged because he didnt actually break any laws.. I'll look for the link.

Rules of the road do not apply to Gardaí in the course of their duties which would include driving to court but will wait & see the article anyway :P

Edit: Read the article
The incident was in 2007 when there was alot more Gardaí and alot more cars
But still he shouldn't have been on the road IMHO

wonski · 31-12-2013 04:20AM

angelfire9 wrote: »

The permission ye are referring to is known as "Chef's permission" where the Chief Super of a district gives permission to members who have not completed the driving course to drive marked vehicles
This generally does NOT happen anymore, mainly because there are more trained Gardaí than there are available cars
All Gardaí driving official vehicles have basic category B driving licences :rolleyes:
And to answer the OP driving of vehicles while in the course of their duties is covered under the same insurance as Garda cars, ambulances, fire engines etc etc

As a side note would love to see a link to that alleged incident with the detective with no licence

Here is a good one:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0419/317748-limerick-based-garda-fined-900-for-offences/

Not the one you sked for, but 900euro fine says it all. He was of a good character and all this.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy · 31-12-2013 04:25AM

That garda was driving his own car, but in the course of his duties. Fair enough.

Anyone else curious about whether or not he drove it outside the course of his duties, and how he managed to obtain insurance, despite having no license?

carzony · 31-12-2013 04:28AM

Johnny Electricity wrote: »

That garda was driving his own car, but in the course of his duties. Fair enough.

Anyone else curious about whether or not he drove it outside the course of his duties, and how he managed to obtain insurance, despite having no license?

Still proves having a license means f.all in a patrol car.. Why that's part of the law doesnt even makes sense. Why on earth would you put someone in a patrol car without even a license..

He was in his own car but i'd bet he has driven patrol cars in the past. Just didnt wanna admit it in court.....

angelfire9 · 31-12-2013 04:30AM

Geez lads I don't know
My husbands super must be a right dick their cars get checked for tax, insurance, NCT, tyres, lights etc etc every three months

Nonetheless my first comment stands:

angelfire9 wrote: »

The permission ye are referring to is known as "Chef's permission" where the Chief Super of a district gives permission to members who have not completed the driving course to drive marked vehicles
This generally does NOT happen anymore, mainly because there are more trained Gardaí than there are available cars
All Gardaí driving official vehicles have basic category B driving licences :rolleyes:
And to answer the OP driving of vehicles while in the course of their duties is covered under the same insurance as Garda cars, ambulances, fire engines etc etc

carzony · 31-12-2013 04:33AM

angelfire9 wrote: »

Geez lads I don't know
My husbands super must be a right dick their cars get checked for tax, insurance, NCT, tyres, lights etc etc every three months

Which is hopefully done in most stations across Ireland

might aswell sack traffic so

wonski · 31-12-2013 04:33AM

angelfire9 wrote: »

Geez lads I don't know
My husbands super must be a right dick their cars get checked for tax, insurance, NCT, tyres, lights etc etc every three months

Nonetheless my first comment stands:

He should have started from checking their documents then. Would save a lot of hassle;)
We went fully OT, those Garda threads always end this way...

angelfire9 · 31-12-2013 04:37AM

wonski wrote: »

He should have started from checking their documents then. Would save a lot of hassle;)
We went fully OT, those Garda threads always end this way...

He did the first week he arrived
Led to a massive search of the house for hubby's licence which turned up in my car

angelfire9 · 31-12-2013 04:38AM

carzony wrote: »

Which is hopefully done in most stations across Ireland might aswell sack traffic so

There are less than 13k Gardaí in the state and over a million drivers I don't think Traffic Corps is gonna be out of a job anytime soon

Pat Mustard · 31-12-2013 04:39AM

Gardai who are acting in the course of their duties are exempt from various requirements of the Road Traffic Acts, to include insurance, speeding, etc.

mcgarrett · 31-12-2013 09:51AM

Johnny Electricity wrote: »

That garda was driving his own car, but in the course of his duties. Fair enough.

Anyone else curious about whether or not he drove it outside the course of his duties, and how he managed to obtain insurance, despite having no license?

More than likely obtained insurance when provisional licence was in force and paid the renewal each year after.

ted1 · 31-12-2013 09:55AM

Do they even drive seized cars? Any time I've seen them there put on a car transporter

Cabaal · 31-12-2013 10:08AM

ted1 wrote: »

Do they even drive seized cars? Any time I've seen them there put on a car transporter

Wouldn't they have to be driven onto one and off again at the very least?
Also wouldn't they have to be driven into place in the impound lot?

tbh I'd rather they drive the car to the place its going to be held instead of wasting tax payer money getting a car transporter.

If people are going to do stupid things causing their car to be seized then hard luck to them

delly · 31-12-2013 10:35AM

Cabaal wrote: »

tbh I'd rather they drive the car to the place its going to be held instead of wasting tax payer money getting a car transporter.

Well you could equally think of the wasted money of a Garda unit being out of action for an hour while they escort the car to the pound.

knifey_spoonie · 31-12-2013 11:34AM

Cabaal wrote: »

tbh I'd rather they drive the car to the place its going to be held instead of wasting tax payer money getting a car transporter.

It doesn't cost the tax payer anything considering the owner of the vehicle pays all charges.

I'm pretty sure the garda are insured by the state. Hence why there is no coverage issues regarding other vehicles

No Pants · 31-12-2013 11:36AM

angelfire9 wrote: »

The permission ye are referring to is known as "Chef's permission"

Can he/she be local or does it have to be one off the telly?

Pappa Charlie · 31-12-2013 11:40AM

carzony wrote: »

It was in the news a while ago. A detective on his way to court knocked someone down and it turned out he didnt even have a license. Gardai are not required to hold a license when driving patrol cars..

I'm sure they'll say all drivers have a license but these days with cut backs ect.. I'd say anyone can jump in the drivers seat of those patrol cars..

Gardai have to have a full licence to drive patrol cars end of story. In some cases a licence may have expired unknown to management and only come to notice with spot checks which happen regularily. Seized cars can be driven as the car is in the custody of the state and covered by the same policy as patrol cars when being driven. If the OP taxed and insured the car they would not have this problem!

Is a Garda insured to drive your car?

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