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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIbu to refuse lifts from uninsured driver?

68 replies

Toocautious · 24/11/2014 17:58

Just found out that one of my son's classmate's mum, who occasionally gives him lifts, is driving without insurance. I've cancelled a lift to cubs this week, and explained why but get the feeling she thought I was being a bit precious. So WIBU or just sensible?

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 24/11/2014 19:21

I thought a car could get an MOT without insurance? Isnt it tax that you cant get without insurance?

That said, if you are daft enough to drive without insurance then I daresay you will be happy to drive without an MOT either.

Bogeyface · 24/11/2014 19:26

Had a look and it seems that a non MOT'd car will not have valid insurance as that is a standard condition of insurance on a vehicle. If you dont drive it to and from the test station (on a tow truck say) then it can be MOT'd but you cant drive it on a public road until it has valid insurance.

OwlCapone · 24/11/2014 19:29

How do you know she has no insurance?

Well, she didn't deny it.

BodyMashIndex · 24/11/2014 20:04

Do you know why she doesn't have insurance?
Could it be her car is a bit late for it's MOT and she's waiting to get it booked in with a garage with a courtesy car?
These things can happen.

She might not necessarily be feckless.

Valsoldknickers · 24/11/2014 20:13

I wouldn't take a lift from an uninsured driver, YADNBU.

weresquirrel · 24/11/2014 21:26

If she hasn't got insurance she probably hasn't paid road tax (you need to show an insurance certificate when buying road tax) and she probably hasn't had an MOT. You need to report her asap. What she is doing is not only breaking the law but dangerous. If she hits someone uninsured there will be a lot of problems, both for her and the party she hits. Please don't just ignore this, it is the reason why insurance costs are through the roof, because some people think everyone else should pay for them!

MorelliOrRanger · 24/11/2014 21:34

Yanbu, she is breaking the law. Selfish bitch.

UsedtobeFeckless · 24/11/2014 22:34

I wouldn't want my kids in the car with her ...

Sallyingforth · 24/11/2014 22:34

I would have no hesitation in arranging for the police to wait outside the school or the cubs and check a few drivers. But that's just me.

LurkingHusband · 24/11/2014 23:04
  1. Because the UK car insurance market is irreparably broken, it's highly likely she won't be stopped. Why ? Because we have this ludicrous fiction of the car being insured, and then adding the twiddle of "the driver". So it's entirely possible that Daddys Mercedes sports car will sail past an ANPR check as insured, whilst little Johnny driving it, most certainly isn't. And until the law changes, that's the way it will stay.

I'm not saying that ANPR checks are useless. But they aren't the magic bullet police will tell you this is. (I make a habit of annoying policeman for a living).

  1. Uninsured drivers tend to be uninsured for a reason, the least of which is financial, and the most of which is because for whatever reason, they are crap drivers. Statistically speaking (which is my area of interest) this means they are far more likely to be involved in an accident.

  2. I'd report them.

Bulbasaur · 24/11/2014 23:07

If she gets in an accident she can be charged with child endangerment. Moreover, if she get in an accident she's in shit out of luck with getting help fixing or replacing her vehicle.

dirkdiggler1 · 24/11/2014 23:46

If she is uninsured then she's scum and needs reporting.

Toocautious · 25/11/2014 07:35

So sorry completely forgot I'd posted! Thanks for all the responses, pretty much unanimous - I should be more confident in my own decisions. To answer the question, she complained to a mutual friend about the unaffordable cost of adding herself to her husband's insurance so I assume it's her rather than the car that's the issue.

OP posts:
financialwizard · 25/11/2014 07:41

Then I definitely wouldn't let my child in a car with her and I would be reporting her. Don't drive if you can't afford it, or find a way to pay it.

specialsubject · 25/11/2014 10:08

call 101. Why?

  1. all the reasons above
  2. who is she that the law doesn't apply to her?
  3. we all pay for her and the others who think they are so important.
PurpleSwift · 25/11/2014 10:09

Yanbu. I wouldn't want someone being so irresponsible to be driving my child around.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 25/11/2014 10:16

I would report her to the police, using 101. Especially as she is driving children around - hers and other people's.

Whooshtheyweregone · 25/11/2014 10:21

You absolutely must report get. I would have no hesitation in doing so.

Lucyccfc · 25/11/2014 10:23

MIB uninsured drivers scheme!!!

Have you ever tried claiming through this - it's a nightmare, takes years and they pay out a minimal amount.

OP, you are right not to allow your child to travel in an uninsured vehicle, with a totally irresponsible adult.

Staywithme · 25/11/2014 10:25

So sorry completely forgot I'd posted!

Sorry I've nothing to add that others haven't already said but.... Grin

molesbreath · 25/11/2014 10:27

'unaffordable cost of adding herself to her husbands insurance'

but thats doesn't mean she hasn't got insurance.

I moaned a lot about the cost of getting insurance recently when we bought a runaround - but that doesn't mean I didn't stump up and pay it Confused

ohhhhpieceofcandy · 25/11/2014 10:36

Even if she didn't get put on her husbands insurance she probably won't be pulled over by the police due to their database as the number plate won't be showing as uninsured. Obviously it would come to light if she had an accident or got stopped for speeding etc.

I don't understand why anyone would think this is a good idea. Even if you think you're the best driver in the world there's always a risk of someone else crashing into you and then you're screwed.

writtenguarantee · 25/11/2014 11:07

1) Because the UK car insurance market is irreparably broken, it's highly likely she won't be stopped. Why ? Because we have this ludicrous fiction of the car being insured, and then adding the twiddle of "the driver". So it's entirely possible that Daddys Mercedes sports car will sail past an ANPR check as insured, whilst little Johnny driving it, most certainly isn't. And until the law changes, that's the way it will stay.

We were surprised by this when we moved here. In america (at least where I lived), the car is insured, not the driver. The price of insurance usually depends on the primary driver, and any listed secondary drivers. Unless someone is a regular driver of the vehicle, they don't need to be listed, and anyone with a legal license is insured to drive the vehicle occasionally (convenient. if a friend visits, they can drive the vehicle for a few days).
I am sure one can easily see how this system I described can be abused. I can have a bad driving record and have trouble getting inexpensive insurance, so I will just get DP to insure the car. They do crack down on this (i.e. some insurers make it mandatory to list as secondary drivers all adults with a license living with you).

I don't know how it works in the other countries, but the system in the UK seems to be an odd mix of car is insured and so is the driver. also, it is inconvenient that others people can't drive your car occasionally.

I don't understand why anyone would think this is a good idea. Even if you think you're the best driver in the world there's always a risk of someone else crashing into you and then you're screwed.

I also don't get this. insurance is a very useful thing. if you invalidate it by doing something stupid, that could ruin you financially. Very odd thinking.

OwlCapone · 25/11/2014 11:12

it is inconvenient that others people can't drive your car occasionally.

Most fully comprehensive insurance will cover you to drive other cars but gives only third party cover (ie won't cover damage to the car you are driving)

writtenguarantee · 25/11/2014 11:18

Most fully comprehensive insurance will cover you to drive other cars but gives only third party cover (ie won't cover damage to the car you are driving)

that didn't address our scenario. An adult who is licensed but uninsured (because they don't have a vehicle of their own) can't borrow your insured car.