Fuel Drive off in my car wasn't me

stressedboymum

I have received several drive off letters from 2 different companies stating that I drove off without paying for fuel . They have photographs clearly showing it was not me but my son ,I have informed them of this . I am the registered keeper on the log book and the car was taken without my permission on each occasion, I have told them this also . They are refusing to chase my son for this ,insisting it is my debt as registered keeper. How can I be responsible for something I haven't done when they have sent me photographic evidence proving it was him . I am refusing to pay on principle, I did not enter a contract to pay with them ,it was my son ! Advice needed please , I despair with him !

la531983

Demand the money from your son to settle the debt?

FrugaiMacDugal

Did you contact police when car was stolem?

Is your son insured to drive the car?

Herzlos

In order I'd:

1. Secure your car keys so your son can't steal your car in future

2. Pay the fuel money before the debt and hassle increases.

3. Talk to the police about the car theft and fuel drive offs. 

Keep_pedalling

You really need to secure your car so he can’t do this again, the last thing you need is the police turning up on your doorstep after your car has been involved in a serious accident. 

I am pretty sure they cannot hold you responsable for the theft of fuel carried out by your son. 

Mildly_Miffed

Will you be reporting your son, and supporting his prosecution, for Taking the car Without the Owner's Consent (TWOC)?

https://sentencingcouncil.org.uk/guidelines/vehicle-taking-without-consent-revised-2017/

Because, if not, I would suggest that - as the keeper - you are best off just paying now and dealing with him yourself.

Then keep your car keys somewhere he can't find them.

tacpot12

This issue is covered in this thread: QDR Solicitors non-payment of fuel advice required — MoneySavingExpert Forum

It says that you can't be help liable. I am inclined to believe it, but you might want to take professional legal advice from a solicitor with experience of civil litigation. If you have home insurance and have legal expenses cover, you can get this legal advice for free. You might be able to get it for free if you ask a local solicitor for some advice over the phone on the basis that you will use them (and pay them something) if you need to go to court to defend yourself. 

Keep_pedalling

tacpot12 said:

This issue is covered in this thread: QDR Solicitors non-payment of fuel advice required — MoneySavingExpert Forum

It says that you can't be help liable. I am inclined to believe it, but you might want to take professional legal advice from a solicitor with experience of civil litigation. If you have home insurance and have legal expenses cover, you can get this legal advice for free. You might be able to get it for free if you ask a local solicitor for some advice over the phone on the basis that you will use them (and pay them something) if you need to go to court to defend yourself. 

If the OPs car insurance company get wind of this they might find that they get their policy cancelled so I would be cautious about using the legal services of an insurance company. 

Nasqueron

The vehicle was TWOC - therefore you report your son to the police and support the prosecution. Your son learns a valuable lesson about life and consequences of actions.

Or you don't report and accept the penalties and your son sees you as a pushover and continues to steal your car and fuel and you will pay.

Also "did not enter a contract to pay" sounds legal legal woo freeman of the land stuff, hoping you're not going to argue that

matt_drummer

What are you doing with the stolen fuel?

Using it yourself?

paul_c123

This is nothing to do with the police or the insurance company. This is purely down to a payment recovery firm trying to press the RK for a payment, because they have assumed the RK was also the driver and the miscreant not paying for the fuel. They have no right to demand payment from the RK, they only have recourse against the non-payer (ie driver at the time). They also don't have the right to demand the RK to name who was driving at the time.

The fact that the son was taking the car without permission is an entirely separate matter for the OP to resolve with his son.