Driver details on a Test Drive?
Discussion
I'm feeling a little worried.
I'm trying to sell one of my cars and last week I let someone have a test drive in it.
He showed me his driving licence and also his Insurance certificate that said he could drive another car. He had a very nice Merc AMG so I felt quite relaxed about it all.
He drove for about 10 miles and at times exceeded the speed limit 'trying' the car. A little scary at times!!
After he'd finished he said that it wasn't for him and left.
I'm now worried that if he got caught by a speed camera I don't know his full details. I think I can remember his name but can't remember his address and certainly couldn't give his driving licence number.
Would that leave me in a pickle?
I'm trying to sell one of my cars and last week I let someone have a test drive in it.
He showed me his driving licence and also his Insurance certificate that said he could drive another car. He had a very nice Merc AMG so I felt quite relaxed about it all.
He drove for about 10 miles and at times exceeded the speed limit 'trying' the car. A little scary at times!!
After he'd finished he said that it wasn't for him and left.
I'm now worried that if he got caught by a speed camera I don't know his full details. I think I can remember his name but can't remember his address and certainly couldn't give his driving licence number.
Would that leave me in a pickle?
It shouldn't, as you took reasonable steps to satisfy yourself that the bloke was insured and as for speeding you can respond to a S172 notice with the name and any contact details you have (eg phone number or email).
Edited to add see also the decision that agtlaw cites in the thread linked to above.
Edited to add see also the decision that agtlaw cites in the thread linked to above.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 17th September 12:16
agtlaw said:
I quite like this bit:High Court said:
The question posed by the Magistrates' Court in the case requires to be answered in the negative.
So much more gravitas than, "no" 
(Also, a pleasingly sensible decision)
Thanks for sharing the link. Very interesting but still worrying.
The last thing I want to do is end up in court because I wasn't sure who the driver was.
It's a real lesson that I should always take down the details in full of anyone who test drives my car.
The problem I may have is that we met at a 'Performance Car Dealership' and were both looking at the cars for sale. We got talking.
He was in an AMG and I was in my GTR that I was looking to part-x.
He expressed a real interest in buying my GTR so I let him have a drive.
I gave him my phone number but I don't have his number nor email. I did see his name on the documents but a week later I'm not even 100% sure of his surname. I think I know what it was.
Yikes! I've been a little foolish but these things just happen. When I looked at his papers I didn't know he was going to drive to the 'limit'.
I'll keep my fingers crossed. :-(
I assume after 14 days I'm ok.
The last thing I want to do is end up in court because I wasn't sure who the driver was.
It's a real lesson that I should always take down the details in full of anyone who test drives my car.
The problem I may have is that we met at a 'Performance Car Dealership' and were both looking at the cars for sale. We got talking.
He was in an AMG and I was in my GTR that I was looking to part-x.
He expressed a real interest in buying my GTR so I let him have a drive.
I gave him my phone number but I don't have his number nor email. I did see his name on the documents but a week later I'm not even 100% sure of his surname. I think I know what it was.
Yikes! I've been a little foolish but these things just happen. When I looked at his papers I didn't know he was going to drive to the 'limit'.
I'll keep my fingers crossed. :-(
I assume after 14 days I'm ok.
wilwak said:
He drove for about 10 miles and at times exceeded the speed limit 'trying' the car. A little scary at times!!
wilwak said:
...we met at a 'Performance Car Dealership'
...my GTR...
...I didn't know he was going to drive to the 'limit'.
Did he "exceed the speed limit", or "drive to the limit"? In a GTR, they're about a million miles apart, and whilst a simple speeding ticket may well go away on a "Umm, sorry, but it was being test-driven by a bloke who I think was called Dave Smith, drove an AMG Merc, and probably lived in Somewheresville", there's no way that it'll be let go so lightly if he really was driving it to even a significant proportion of the potential....my GTR...
...I didn't know he was going to drive to the 'limit'.
If you found it "scary", did you not say anything at the time?
The other possibility is, I s'pose, that you're confusing "driving to the limit" with the speed limit - in which case, are you sure a nice automatic Kia Picanto wouldn't be more up your street than a GTR?
Point taken..
The whole drive was in a 60 limit A Road.
He did most of the drive at 65-70. Overtook a couple of vehicles and may have touched 80 on the overtakes and on a couple of straights.
For a GTR that's quite tame really but still illegal.
I did say to him "Be careful... you don't realise how fast you're going in this car" and "It's your licence".
I'm never a good passenger so I guess he didn't drive too bady but he was asking to be nicked due to the speed.
I know the police do watch that road, hence my worry. I'm always careful on it.
Oh well. What will be will be. I'll try to stop worrying.
I can certainly see why people just take the points rather than facing loads of court hassle.
The whole drive was in a 60 limit A Road.
He did most of the drive at 65-70. Overtook a couple of vehicles and may have touched 80 on the overtakes and on a couple of straights.
For a GTR that's quite tame really but still illegal.
I did say to him "Be careful... you don't realise how fast you're going in this car" and "It's your licence".
I'm never a good passenger so I guess he didn't drive too bady but he was asking to be nicked due to the speed.
I know the police do watch that road, hence my worry. I'm always careful on it.
Oh well. What will be will be. I'll try to stop worrying.
I can certainly see why people just take the points rather than facing loads of court hassle.
wilwak said:
He did most of the drive at 65-70. Overtook a couple of vehicles and may have touched 80 on the overtakes and on a couple of straights.
And you found that "scary"?wilwak said:
I did say to him "Be careful... you don't realise how fast you're going in this car" and "It's your licence".
He was already driving an AMG? A tad patronising, p'raps?Have you seen this thread?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gAssing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
80mph only scares me when someone I don't know is driving me in my car!
This only happened last week. No NIP. Hopefully there won't be one.
It just suddenly occurred to me that I didn't actually have all the details of the guy driving.
Sounds like I'd be in a spot of bother if something does come through.
Thanks for the feedback. At least I know have a better idea of where I stand. Glad I asked.
I think I'll stick to part-x'ing in future!
This only happened last week. No NIP. Hopefully there won't be one.
It just suddenly occurred to me that I didn't actually have all the details of the guy driving.
Sounds like I'd be in a spot of bother if something does come through.
Thanks for the feedback. At least I know have a better idea of where I stand. Glad I asked.
I think I'll stick to part-x'ing in future!
LoonR1 said:
This is a very well scripted thread. OP have you by any chance just received a NIP and are looking to build a "clever" defence using this thread as part of it? Let's be honest if 80mph scares you then why have you got a GTR?
He. He. This is exactly why I'm concerned. Who would believe me? You clearly don't.If a NIP does come through I'll go and see if there's any CCTV cameras anywhere that could help!
You happened to meet at a performance car dealership?
You allowed a stranger to drive you car having seen an insurance certificate? You didn't even take an mobile phone copy of the policy for a stranger you just met - who drove your pride and joy?
You know that "drive other cars" on a policy is often limited to 3rd party cover - or did he have a fully comp, drive anything, anywhere policy?
You allowed a stranger to drive you car having seen an insurance certificate? You didn't even take an mobile phone copy of the policy for a stranger you just met - who drove your pride and joy?
You know that "drive other cars" on a policy is often limited to 3rd party cover - or did he have a fully comp, drive anything, anywhere policy?
Breadvan72 said:
wilwak, chill out. Do not worry about stuff until it is worrying. If you receive a section 172 Notice, just answer it honestly to the best of your recollection.
Thanks. I'm going to forget about it. I only came on here to find out where I stood as it suddenly occured to me that I should have taken his details down properly.He seemed a really genuine guy who was looking at a Maserati, as was I. He wanted a weekend toy.
I told him I was looking to part-x my GT-R which is mint. It's just not-me.
He said he'd always been intrigued by GTR's and had money ready. He'd never driven one. He seemed very interested and I was trying to sell it. Giving him a test drive seemed a totally reasonable thing to do at the time.
He drove it and said quite clearly.... "Thank you, great car but it's too unrefined for me". I said ok, shook hands and we went our separate ways.
Anyway. Now I know where I stand I'll forget it.
Thanks for the feedback.
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