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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'm absolutely livid and need advice - pulled over by police

146 replies

SableGrape · 14/03/2024 12:41

Just pulled over in the car with my partner (I have another thread about his shit - the idea today was he'd drop me off at work and go back to his own place, pending a more serious conversation about our relationship going forward.)

We get onto the duel carriageway and he was driving like a bit of a knob (speeding, cutting between lanes), which attracted the attention of a police car. Pulled him over and the car has no MOT, no tax and no insurance.

I am absolutely livid - I had no idea about any of it because on the surface it's really nice car (Astra, about three years old). The car has been seized.

I have a licence but don't drive currently (my car is SORN'D because I had an ankle op and haven't been able to drive) I'm worried that it's going to affect my insurance or license or something - I only passed about four years ago (lived in London before so had no need!)

Told partner to fuck off and that it's over so that's a good thing maybe but what do I do now? Do being in the car affect me in any way? I'm so angry I feel like I can't think straight!

OP posts:
LucyLaundry · 14/03/2024 12:43

It won't affect your licence, you weren't driving.

Pipersouth · 14/03/2024 12:43

It won’t affect your licence/insurance as you weren’t the driver. Good for you getting shot of him though.

Tupperwarefan · 14/03/2024 12:44

Well done at getting rid of your partner, if this has given you the push needed. Im not a professional but I am 99% sure this won't affect you at all. Did the police even take your name?

OpalHiker · 14/03/2024 12:46

It wont affect you - dont worry

Goodadvice1980 · 14/03/2024 12:48

I know your vehicle is SORN but is it still insured? If so, remove him from the insurance (if he’s on it) in case he tries to take your car!

Original poster
SableGrape · 14/03/2024 12:48

Tupperwarefan · 14/03/2024 12:44

Well done at getting rid of your partner, if this has given you the push needed. Im not a professional but I am 99% sure this won't affect you at all. Did the police even take your name?

Yes - the asked me for my ID and how we we related!

Tbh the police woman was lovely - think she could see I genuinely had no idea and it had all come as a big shock!

Fucking hell, still can't believe we've been driving around in a car with no mot! (I know tax and insurance are equally as important but anything could be wrong with the car!) 😞😞😞

OP posts:
Original poster
SableGrape · 14/03/2024 12:49

Goodadvice1980 · 14/03/2024 12:48

I know your vehicle is SORN but is it still insured? If so, remove him from the insurance (if he’s on it) in case he tries to take your car!

He's not on my insurance and has no access ot my car - it's parked up at my friend's farm in the barn at the moment!

OP posts:
Superscientist · 14/03/2024 12:50

You won't be impacted for being a passenger
If you have your partner on your insurance for your car you would pay a premium then
He will have to prove he has all the paperwork in place to get the car returned to him and is likely to get some hefty points and fines to go with them which might result in a driving ban.
He will be facing high insurance premiums for a while and a reduced number of companies willing to insure him
My sister was done for driving without insurance. For her it was an oversight rather than a deliberate action and she hadn't spotted that the insurance payment hadn't gone through. She was able to get insurance through that company as they were able to see that she had tried to complete the renewal but the final page crashed before payment was made but her premium went up by £1000 from a few hundred to one thousand and a few hundred. This continued for 3 years and it's now closed to a more typical price.

I would be looking through the house hold finances to see if there is anything else like home and contents insurance that is being neglected. Are bills and mortgage/rents being paid. There's a reason the police pull over people driving without insurance and so on. One it's illegal but too, if you are willing to ignore this thing that is mandatory you are probably doing it with other things too which may be bigger crimes. I would take this logic and apply it to your life and see what other "short cuts" or "money saving" things he has decided to do.

cardibach · 14/03/2024 12:52

SableGrape · 14/03/2024 12:48

Yes - the asked me for my ID and how we we related!

Tbh the police woman was lovely - think she could see I genuinely had no idea and it had all come as a big shock!

Fucking hell, still can't believe we've been driving around in a car with no mot! (I know tax and insurance are equally as important but anything could be wrong with the car!) 😞😞😞

Show quote history

I’m not an expert, but I can’t see that she was entitled to do that. Driving offences are the responsibility of the driver, offences around insurance and MoT are the responsibility of the owner. You are neither. It’s nothing to do with you and you shouldn’t have been asked for anything. Maybe ask at CAB if she was entitled to ask (I’m pretty sure not) then take it further if she wasn’t.

Original poster
SableGrape · 14/03/2024 12:54

Superscientist · 14/03/2024 12:50

You won't be impacted for being a passenger
If you have your partner on your insurance for your car you would pay a premium then
He will have to prove he has all the paperwork in place to get the car returned to him and is likely to get some hefty points and fines to go with them which might result in a driving ban.
He will be facing high insurance premiums for a while and a reduced number of companies willing to insure him
My sister was done for driving without insurance. For her it was an oversight rather than a deliberate action and she hadn't spotted that the insurance payment hadn't gone through. She was able to get insurance through that company as they were able to see that she had tried to complete the renewal but the final page crashed before payment was made but her premium went up by £1000 from a few hundred to one thousand and a few hundred. This continued for 3 years and it's now closed to a more typical price.

I would be looking through the house hold finances to see if there is anything else like home and contents insurance that is being neglected. Are bills and mortgage/rents being paid. There's a reason the police pull over people driving without insurance and so on. One it's illegal but too, if you are willing to ignore this thing that is mandatory you are probably doing it with other things too which may be bigger crimes. I would take this logic and apply it to your life and see what other "short cuts" or "money saving" things he has decided to do.

We don't live together thank God and have totally separate finances!

OP posts:
alfagirl73 · 14/03/2024 12:59

It won't affect your licence or insurance; it is the responsibility of the driver. You have done right to dump him.

I suppose, theoretically, they could call you as a witness if he has to go to court but I rather doubt it. They have their factual evidence on him which should be enough to prosecute him without involving you in any way. I wouldn't worry about it - just view it as a lucky escape both in terms of the relationship and avoiding a potentially nasty car accident.

Superscientist · 14/03/2024 13:02

SableGrape · 14/03/2024 12:54

We don't live together thank God and have totally separate finances!

Show quote history

Current self must be very grateful for past self being so wise!
It might still be worth checking your credit file to make sure nothing has linked you both and get that removed. I can't remember the rules but it never hurts to check your credit file!

easylikeasundaymorn · 14/03/2024 13:05

cardibach · 14/03/2024 12:52

I’m not an expert, but I can’t see that she was entitled to do that. Driving offences are the responsibility of the driver, offences around insurance and MoT are the responsibility of the owner. You are neither. It’s nothing to do with you and you shouldn’t have been asked for anything. Maybe ask at CAB if she was entitled to ask (I’m pretty sure not) then take it further if she wasn’t.

Show quote history

Terrible advice.

Police officers are entitled to ask anything they want just like any other random person.

If OP had refused to give her name or show ID then the police would have had to explain why they wanted it and proceed from there (and tbh there could be a lot of reasons, a huge proportion of "wanted" people are picked up by police for other offences or it could be as simple as checking that they hadn't made a mistake and OP had insurance under her name or with the slightly wrong details).

Also if it did go to court or even just if the ex tried to dispute the points/fine, like saying she was driving but made him say it was him, or that she had told him she had sorted insurance and taken the car for an MOT, or any other stupid excuse obviously it is better for the police to be able to say "yes x was also in the car but she was in the passenger seat when we pulled them over, showed us her ID and had a visibly injured ankle so we are satisfied she wasn't driving and she knew nothing about the insurance/mot" rather than "Oh yeah there was a woman there but we didn't ask who she was or anything about her."

If they demanded she provide info without a reason and threatened her with arrest or similar if she refused perhaps then OP could complain - but asking is completely fine. How do you think police carry out any investigations at all if you think they can only speak to the person who is suspected of carrying out a crime and not any potential witnesses?

OrchardBlack · 14/03/2024 13:05

cardibach · 14/03/2024 12:52

I’m not an expert, but I can’t see that she was entitled to do that. Driving offences are the responsibility of the driver, offences around insurance and MoT are the responsibility of the owner. You are neither. It’s nothing to do with you and you shouldn’t have been asked for anything. Maybe ask at CAB if she was entitled to ask (I’m pretty sure not) then take it further if she wasn’t.

Show quote history

For gods sake, Police can ask for information on anyone, they don't have to provide it.
I've run someone through before who was passenger in a car with no MOT and he was wanted for murder in Scotland. Guess he should go to CAB as well. 😂

BobbyBiscuits · 14/03/2024 13:05

You've done nothing wrong, and probably looked surprised, shocked and livid when it transpired he wasn't legal. I'm glad you've chucked him though. Stay strong. His antics with the car won't affect you legally or instance wise.

cardibach · 14/03/2024 13:06

easylikeasundaymorn · 14/03/2024 13:05

Terrible advice.

Police officers are entitled to ask anything they want just like any other random person.

If OP had refused to give her name or show ID then the police would have had to explain why they wanted it and proceed from there (and tbh there could be a lot of reasons, a huge proportion of "wanted" people are picked up by police for other offences or it could be as simple as checking that they hadn't made a mistake and OP had insurance under her name or with the slightly wrong details).

Also if it did go to court or even just if the ex tried to dispute the points/fine, like saying she was driving but made him say it was him, or that she had told him she had sorted insurance and taken the car for an MOT, or any other stupid excuse obviously it is better for the police to be able to say "yes x was also in the car but she was in the passenger seat when we pulled them over, showed us her ID and had a visibly injured ankle so we are satisfied she wasn't driving and she knew nothing about the insurance/mot" rather than "Oh yeah there was a woman there but we didn't ask who she was or anything about her."

If they demanded she provide info without a reason and threatened her with arrest or similar if she refused perhaps then OP could complain - but asking is completely fine. How do you think police carry out any investigations at all if you think they can only speak to the person who is suspected of carrying out a crime and not any potential witnesses?

Edited
Show quote history

It’s terrible advice to ask whether the policewoman was entitled to take her details?

Abouttimeforanamechange · 14/03/2024 13:06

I’m not an expert, but I can’t see that she was entitled to do that. Driving offences are the responsibility of the driver, offences around insurance and MoT are the responsibility of the owner. You are neither. It’s nothing to do with you and you shouldn’t have been asked for anything. Maybe ask at CAB if she was entitled to ask (I’m pretty sure not) then take it further if she wasn’t.

Possibly the police officer wanted to establish that the op wasn't a victim of trafficking or otherwise in need of help?

cardibach · 14/03/2024 13:07

OrchardBlack · 14/03/2024 13:05

For gods sake, Police can ask for information on anyone, they don't have to provide it.
I've run someone through before who was passenger in a car with no MOT and he was wanted for murder in Scotland. Guess he should go to CAB as well. 😂

Show quote history

She shouldn’t go to ask wether it’s allowed? You have a problem with someone asking what’s allowed?
No wonder nobody trust the police any more is it?

easylikeasundaymorn · 14/03/2024 13:09

cardibach · 14/03/2024 13:06

It’s terrible advice to ask whether the policewoman was entitled to take her details?

Show quote history

It's terrible advice to suggest she makes a complaint when nothing wrong has happened and OP isn't even annoyed or angry herself about the thing you want her to make a complaint about!

easylikeasundaymorn · 14/03/2024 13:15

You seem to think Cab is like some sort of walk in legal centre staffed by experienced solicitors rather than majority volunteers who have to have a huge general knowledge base.

Whereas you'll probably have to make an appointment for 3 months time only to be told
"Um I don't know" or laughed out of the building when you say "are the police allowed to ask the public questions"

Seriously if you witnessed an accident or a fight and police arrived on scene and asked "did anyone see anything?" Your first response would be "I don't think you're allowed to ask that?"

ntmdino · 14/03/2024 13:22

Abouttimeforanamechange · 14/03/2024 13:06

I’m not an expert, but I can’t see that she was entitled to do that. Driving offences are the responsibility of the driver, offences around insurance and MoT are the responsibility of the owner. You are neither. It’s nothing to do with you and you shouldn’t have been asked for anything. Maybe ask at CAB if she was entitled to ask (I’m pretty sure not) then take it further if she wasn’t.

Possibly the police officer wanted to establish that the op wasn't a victim of trafficking or otherwise in need of help?

And, from the officer's perspective, the exact crime hadn't been completely established - just off the top of my head:

  • The car might've been the OP's
  • The car might've been stolen
  • Driving like that, they may be getting away from the commission of a crime
  • The passenger may have been assaulting the driver, causing the erratic driving (crazy and stupid, I know, but the police have seen everything...)
  • ...etc etc

Had any of those been the case, the OP would have been liable and so it makes perfect sense to establish her identity.

GasPanic · 14/03/2024 13:26

Well one issue is obviously driving a car with no tax, insurance and MOT.

The other is obviously drawing attention to yourself by driving erratically in a car with no tax, insurance and MOT which I think most people would agree is not the smartest thing to do.

cardibach · 14/03/2024 13:53

easylikeasundaymorn · 14/03/2024 13:09

It's terrible advice to suggest she makes a complaint when nothing wrong has happened and OP isn't even annoyed or angry herself about the thing you want her to make a complaint about!

Show quote history

Ah, I see. Failure to read or comprehend.
I said

  • I wasn’t an expert
  • she should consult someone who was
  • she should complain if an expert said it was an unreasonable request
NeverDropYourMooncup · 14/03/2024 13:59

ntmdino · 14/03/2024 13:22

And, from the officer's perspective, the exact crime hadn't been completely established - just off the top of my head:

  • The car might've been the OP's
  • The car might've been stolen
  • Driving like that, they may be getting away from the commission of a crime
  • The passenger may have been assaulting the driver, causing the erratic driving (crazy and stupid, I know, but the police have seen everything...)
  • ...etc etc

Had any of those been the case, the OP would have been liable and so it makes perfect sense to establish her identity.

Show quote history

There is also the aspect that driving like a prick is a very common method of intimidating a partner as part of domestic abuse.

Original poster
SableGrape · 14/03/2024 14:11

cardibach · 14/03/2024 13:53

Ah, I see. Failure to read or comprehend.
I said

  • I wasn’t an expert
  • she should consult someone who was
  • she should complain if an expert said it was an unreasonable request
Edited
Show quote history

She isn't bothered by being asked to show her ID.

OP posts: