Unlicensed Driver?

[ANewNameANewDay]

I have recently found out that my little sister is being driven around by her boyfriend who has no driving license. He has been learning to drive but is awaiting his test which is delayed due to COVID backlog etc so is driving on a provisional licence. They have been doing some long trips (eg an hour away on the motorway) as well as smaller trips around our town.

AIBU to think this is insane?

Would you report this to the police?

My parents and I have tried reasoning with her but she is 20 so not much anyone can actually do.

Has she passed her test?

Yes, report to the police.

No she doesn’t drive.

I think it would probably depend on whether I thought he was an essentially safe enough driver (as much as any new driver is) who is being a massive idiot and could get himself into serious trouble (and warn DSis/him directly of this) vs whether I thought he was a dangerous lunatic and wanted to protect my sister.

The former I wouldn't report but the latter I would.

I'm unsure if your sister could get into trouble herself by being a knowing passenger? If so then I would be more inclined to stress this danger to her.

It doesn't make any difference - she's too young to supervise a learner and learners aren't allowed on motorways.

It's quite likely he will get caught surely because of those insurance checks the police can do remotely?

The difficulty is that she will know either me or my parents have reported him, which will undoubtedly cause tensions between us all. We have a delicate relationship with her at the best of times.

Could you report a specific journey you know they are going on so police pull him over? I know they do this for drink driving but I dont know about driving without a licence

And if the idiot kills someone else? Are you happy to be partly responsible?

Report.

For a start he won't be insured, probably not mot'd or taxed either. Added together with no licence makes him a high risk driver. Do you think he's the type to pull over quietly and accept fines, points, possibly jail or be involved in a high speed police chase which could result in your sisters death if stopped?

Just fucking report.

ANPR cameras and speed cameras are everywhere especially on motorways judging by those motorway cop programmes - I don't think it would be obvious it had come from you. If they flag learner insurance with no L-plates that's instantly suspicious.

The car is probably insured. Technology has no way to check who is driving, so if the car shows as on the insurance database then it won't trigger a pull.

Yanbu at all but I found that lots of people do this and it’s considered normal. When I surrendered my license due to my health issue, I had COUNTLESS people tell me just to drive around, it would be fine 😡 I heard tales of people drunk or having seizures and still driving, it’s made me very fearful tbh.

Ah OK. I thought it was specific learner driver insurance that you had to have.

He has no insurance or licence. What if he crashed and killed your sister? Another innocent motorist or pedestrian?

You would be a moron to not report him. So what if he can't drive anywhere? You are putting your 'delicate' relationship with your sister above the wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with him and his car. Grow a spine and do what is right.

You do need to be insured as a learner, but the database doesn't know who is driving.

My car is insured only for me. If DH took it for a spin (he has no license now) it wouldn't trigger anything because the car itself is insured.

Most cars are insured for certain drivers. Only a stop by the police can check the drivers.

Thank you, this hits the nail on the head for me.

My poor mum is beside herself. There’s every chance my sister will stop speaking to us but you are right that it is the morally right thing to report it.