Caught driving without insurance

claire23

Hi

need to know if someone was caught driving someone elses car without their own insurance, is that an automatic charge of theft of a motor vehicle?
Bit puzzled about this, will give background if needed.

Claire

goldspanners

they deserve everything they get as its people like this that is putting everyone elses premiums up year after year.

claire23

Thanks but its the theft issue i need help with. He knows hes done wrong, not asking for compassion or forgivness, just advice.

Claire

claire23

Ok, Ive been told that as he drove my car without his own insurance this is an automatic vehicle theft charge. Is this correct?

vikingaero

Is it the Police saying that your friend will be charged with theft?

In a lot of cases where you drive without insurance they often only pursue the driving without insurance charge and don't bother the owner with additional charges. The only time they seem to pursue the owner is if the driver was a complete a-hole and they throw the book at him and everyone.

claire23

He had the car to fix it as he has some mechanical knowledge. When the police came to take my statement she said the permission wasnt the issue. She already knew he was getting charged with car theft. This is why im puzzled, as im getting the blame for him getting this charge becos i said he didnt have permission to drive.

Claire

claire23

vikingaero wrote: »

Is it the Police saying that your friend will be charged with theft?

In a lot of cases where you drive without insurance they often only pursue the driving without insurance charge and don't bother the owner with additional charges. The only time they seem to pursue the owner is if the driver was a complete a-hole and they throw the book at him and everyone.

Hi yes, its the police saying that he will be charged with theft, amongst other charges. My problem is im gettin blamed (by his family - my "friends") for him gettin this charge cos i said he didnt have permission.

Claire

Crabman

What they usually do is give the owner two options:

1) Owner allowed driver to take their vehicle with permission despite lack of adequate insurance cover, thus the owner may be partly liable to prosecution.

2) Driver took vehicle without consent in which case they'll probably prosecute the driver for theft and not being insured. This way the owner escapes potential prosecution.

What I'm not understanding is if you've said he had permission to drive, how they are saying it's theft.

claire23

I havent said he had permission to drive. Wot im asking is, the policewoman who took my statement said whether i gave permission or not wasnt the issue. Then said he was getting charged with car theft. This is why im puzzled, someone has told me that if he didnt have his own insurance then its an automatic theft charge. All i'm wondering is if this is correct.

Claire

bestpud

It seems to me that the police are avoiding the need to drag you into it.

I don't think driving your own car without insurance is theft but driving someone else's would be unless the car owner is going to take responsibility for allowing him to drive it without insurance.

Perhaps you could contact the officer you spoke to, or someone else at police the station and ask them to clarify the situation?

startrekker

claire23 wrote: »

He had the car to fix it as he has some mechanical knowledge. When the police came to take my statement she said the permission wasnt the issue. She already knew he was getting charged with car theft. This is why im puzzled, as im getting the blame for him getting this charge becos i said he didnt have permission to drive.

Claire

Well for my tuppence..... you told the police he didnt have permission to drive the car so, in a nutshell, he stole it and based on the statement you gave, it is your fault unfortunatley...................