Driving colleague's cars in work carpark

Bobbyblu

Hi,
I work for a company where parking is in very high demand. There are no other options of where to park other than public transport which is difficult as it's out in the sticks.
We are expected to park up very tightly in front and beside each other and leave our keys in the office. We go out on our work vehicles for the day and all return at different hours which vary day to day. If we need to leave before others we have to move their cars in order to get to our own and likewise they move mine
Work have now made it clear they are not responsible for any accidents or damage in the carpark etc so where do we stand legally. What happens if I damage someone's car when I move it. I'm only a named driver on my own car insurance so on days when I have to take the car where do I stand. It really doesn't sit right with me that we have to do this.
Many thanks for any advice.

hollie.weimeraner

You are almost certainly not covered by any motor insurance policy and depending on whether the car park is classed as private or a place where the public have access you could also possibly be liable to police prosecution for driving without insurance.

If the car park is employees only it's likely to be private land but you would need to clarify that with your employers.

Additionally, by leaving your keys for anyone to move the car you may also be liable to not having insurance cover if your car is stolen with the keys.

Sounds like a can of worms to me

Bobbyblu

Thank you, as I said it doesn't sit right with me. It is on a farm, and my employer rents some units but there are other units that are rented out to other businesses. Work wpuld be unlikely to be helpful if I broached the subject with them.

Quentin

You are right to be worried. Your insurance as a named driver doesn't give you any cover at all when driving other cars. You do so illegally!!


If you do any damage to any person or property when driving a car you are not covered by insurance to drive then you will end up being personally liable for any costs - could be very expensive should you injure someone!

n217970

I am sure work will be inclined to take some form of action when they start to see everybody in the office wasting an hour a day shunting cars around if you get what I mean...

Bobbyblu

They wouldn't get paid for any moving anyway, it's a 'your only earning when the wheels are turning' type place.

onomatopoeia99

There is also Vnuk to consider. Google it (it happened on a farm).

Bobbyblu

Thank you everyone

loskie

It will be classed as a public place if used by various employees/employers. Rules of the road apply. It sounds like a recipe for disaster.

facade

Your only option is to refuse to move someone else's car, or to leave the keys for your own.

Your employer won't care in the slightest that you all have to wait (unpaid) until the last person to arrive (who logically will be the last to finish) gets back to move his car.

I'd look for a better job, or get a bicycle, that could go in the van with you....

Warwick_Hunt

loskie wrote: »

It will be classed as a public place if used by various employees/employers. Rules of the road apply. It sounds like a recipe for disaster.

No it won't, it will be a public place if it's open open to the public.