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Original poster

Driving without licence - WWYD

321 replies

Washingyourcurtains · 28/09/2019 20:32

I've recently found out my father in law has never had a driving licence. He's in his 60s and has owned and driven cars all his adult life, just never took his test. I'm shocked about this so would be interested to know what others think and if this is more widespread. Obviously it's a big secret so I can't discuss it with people in real life.

He drives my 2 young children around, sometimes long distances and on motorways as we live the other end of the country and sometimes meet half way to hand over the children and they go to theirs by themselves (which in itself is great for all of us). But I feel really uncomfortable about them being in his car now as he doesn't have insurance (presumably). It will cause a massive issue with my partner if I stop them from being driven by him as he will think I'm overreacting. But what if he has an accident and they are seriously injured and there is no insurance? Should I just overlook it? What would you do.

OP posts:
BigChocFrenzy · 28/09/2019 21:21

Yes, back when I took my test in the 1980s, I didn't have to show ID
So, impersonating someone else would have been easy enough

However, if he says he has no licence, it sounds like even that didn't happen

You must phone 101, give his name, address and car reg
Better for him to get a rap on the knuckle now than be facing charges after an accident
and definitely better for other road users

lyingwanker · 28/09/2019 21:21

I can't understand how he got away with regards to the speeding ticket. My husband has just received one and it obviously came to this address due to the logbook being registered here but he had to fill in his license number on the form they sent.

EggysMom · 28/09/2019 21:22

He may have been given a Speed Awareness Course rather than points for speeding. Cannot remember if I had to give my licence number for that or not.

I'd shop him. Anonymously. Now, before the next time he's due to drive the kids somwehere.

Amanduh · 28/09/2019 21:22

(But don’t get the insurance/kids link. Insurance won’t improve your kids safety!)

Hangingwithmygnomies · 28/09/2019 21:22

If he got a speeding ticket, assuming he took the course rather than take the points? Otherwise he must have a lisence if he took points?

ChicCroissant · 28/09/2019 21:25

I think the lack of insurance is just a red flag that the driver doesn't think that the law is worth obeying - and if they are willing to take a risk with that, what else are they willing to take a risk with? Makes you view them differently.

BigChocFrenzy · 28/09/2019 21:25

If he is driving on a provisional, then he must always be under the supervision of an adult aged 21+ who has had a full driving licence for at least 3 years

AND
he is not allowed to drive on motorways^

So he is undoubtedly breaking the law often, if he claims to have a provisional licence^

diddl · 28/09/2019 21:25

"The penalty for driving without a licence can be 3 to 6 points"

How can you get points on a licence that you don't have?

Maybe that's for driver's who are disqualified?

Is your FIL actually The Queen?

Wizzbangpop · 28/09/2019 21:27

How has he brought cars in the past? I’ve been test driving cars recently and every single one has needed to look at my license and take a copy before I’m allowed to go out. And I wouldn’t be surprised if when buying a car you needed more than a provisional license.

Surely you need to show proof of a driving license when you send off / get the log book for your car

BigChocFrenzy · 28/09/2019 21:27

OP
You need to report him
He is breaking the law even with a provisional licence

RoLaren · 28/09/2019 21:27

Amanduh

If he was in a serious crash the insurance would pay out for long term care for the children's injuries. Electric wheelchairs, carers etc.

Ginfordinner · 28/09/2019 21:27

I don't recall ever having to give my licence details when insuring my car.

CherryPavlova · 28/09/2019 21:29

I haven’t had many speeding tickets but last time was a few years back and I did a speed awareness course. I had to fill in license details and all cars are now automatically checked for insurance and MOT as part of process.
My son had two speeding tickets last year and did one awareness course and got away with other as he was deploying and couldn’t attend. He was only allowed two courses because one ticket was from Wales. He had to fill in license and car details.
Something isn’t true.

Vqui · 28/09/2019 21:33

My half sister was in a car crash aged 3. She's in a wheelchair, lucky to be alive, now in her 20s. Without the insurance payout she'd be completely screwed.

He's driving your kids, he's not insured.

This sounds like a truly awkward situation, good luck in dealing with it. He should take a test, he'd probably pass it in a breeze. Why doesn't he?

diddl · 28/09/2019 21:33

If he drives on a provisional, shouldn't he be displaying L plates?

meshofflowers · 28/09/2019 21:34

Yes it’s wrong but safety wise I can’t see the difference between him and someone else that took their test 40+ years ago.

Grannybags · 28/09/2019 21:35

OP - have you spoken to your DP? Can he see your point of view?

longearedbat · 28/09/2019 21:35

I think you have to be pretty certain he hasn't got a licence before you go any further. The fact he's been done for speeding would indicate he does have a licence, otherwise it would have come to light then, unless of course he's using somebody else's, or a fake id.

MotherSpider · 28/09/2019 21:35

I'd report him to the police. It's better that you do it now before he kills someone and ends up behind bars

May I say, he's no more likely to kill someone than I am, proud owner of a full driving license for over 25 years.

However, I do concede that he's not insured if he does.

I don't however see what difference insurance makes to the safety of your children though, unless you intend to make an injury claim against him.

The simpler option to reporting him to police would just be to book him in to take a test, and bingo, he's driving legally. Insurance might obviously go up for a few years high.

billybagpuss · 28/09/2019 21:38

My grandad never took a test, but he was born in 1914 and was one of the last people in the UK who could get a licence without one, my gran was a couple of years younger and couldn't so she never drove.

The first person to pass the test was a Mr Beere, but on the licence itself with the handwriting it looked like Mr Bean Grin

Your FIL is driving illegally if he is telling the truth and as such needs to take a test or never drive again.

AlexaAmbidextra · 28/09/2019 21:38

Maybe your FIL learned during National Service? Or is he younger than that ?

He’s younger than me so he certainly wouldn’t have done National Service.

cdtaylornats · 28/09/2019 21:40

Driving tests were suspended during the war for 7 years and again for 1 year in 1956 due to Suez.

GabsAlot · 28/09/2019 21:41

How did he justg take the fine they give you points usually-unless he was saying smoeone else was driving and they took the points

nonevernotever · 28/09/2019 21:41

When I came up against this in my dh's extended family I refused point blank to get in a car with them and was backed up by dh. It shamed them into taking their test, although I believe other extended connections also do not have a license. If I knew for sure I would report them. And yes it pretty much always means you are driving without insurance. I think it may also mean that if someone crashes into you you'll get a lot more of the blame than you might if you had a licence. Now that you know I think you have no choice and have to refuse lifts for you and your children

Goingonagondola · 28/09/2019 21:42

He sounds incredibly arrogant. Why should he not have to pass the test that everyone else has to pass? And then to drive your children around illegally... it would be a real dealbreaker for me and he'd never drive my children again. Even if he got a licence. He's shown himself to be an untrustworthy person. I think you should report him now because then it'll look like it was linked to him speeding.