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Original poster

DS taking car out once a week - acceptable?

38 replies

fourpeasinapod · 30/04/2020 15:42

DS, 19, has his own car and is obeying by the social distancing rules.

However, he takes his car out for a drive at night time once a week as he’s read that if the car were to sit for too long, it can cause mechanical issues such as flat tyres, battery problems etc.

If he were to be stopped by the police, would he be fined for this?

OP posts:

mollibu · 30/04/2020 15:45

I think most people will disagree with me but I see this as essential.

Much better giving it a run around once a week rather than the AA having to come to your house because it won't start up.

BeforeIPutOnMyMakeup · 30/04/2020 15:46

How far is he going?

He only needs to drive his car every 4-6 weeks for a reasonable distance and he should do it in the day time so he doesn't need to use his lights.

vanillandhoney · 30/04/2020 15:46

I think it's absolutely fine.

Better to give the car a regular "run out" than be stuck when you need it and have to call breakdown services.

mollibu · 30/04/2020 15:46

Oh sorry I've just seen your question at the bottom

I don't think he would be fined for this, no.

silverdollarcity · 30/04/2020 15:47

I would agree that it's essential and we are doing something similar. DH or I will drive the cars for a little bit, not actually getting out of them. We try to do it once a week.

Bagelsandbrie · 30/04/2020 15:48

Why doesn’t he just do it during the day? He could always say he was off to Tesco...!

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 30/04/2020 15:48

Mine decided it would get to the supermarket fine then conk out in the car park.
So definitely better to keep it going.

BeforeIPutOnMyMakeup · 30/04/2020 15:48

I should add I've had old cars and cars with diesel filters, and the advice I was given by my local garage was to drive the car a decent distance every 4-6 weeks using minimal electrics.

In my case I would drive to a supermarket about 30 miles away where most of my journey was on a dual carriageway, do some shopping and then home again.

BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 30/04/2020 15:49

Had to take ours out for a 40min run today because the DPF light was on.

nexttimestop · 30/04/2020 15:51

I had a flat battery last week from just sitting on the drive so I take it out a couple of times a week now just to keep it going.

CaroleFuckinBaskin · 30/04/2020 15:52

Yes of course that is fine. The police aren't going to be stopping anyone anyway, there are shit loads of people out on the roads!

CorianderLord · 30/04/2020 15:53

He's in a car and not getting out? I hardly see how that's spreading it. If stopped by police just say what he has to you 'I'm going for a quick drive so the battery doesn't go flat'.

Original poster

fourpeasinapod · 30/04/2020 15:53

Thanks all.

I understood his reasoning for doing this but I was afraid that the law wouldn’t agree and that he would be penalised!

OP posts:

Gnome134 · 30/04/2020 15:56

My nearly 19 year old was told by his insurance company to run his car every week so the 'black box' doesn't flatten the battery. He has driven me to the supermarket a few times and waited in the car. He also is complying with everything else, much as he hates the loss of freedom.
I don't think the police would fine him. He could always come up with a reason to be out... visiting vulnerable person, doing shopping etc.

Original poster

fourpeasinapod · 30/04/2020 15:58

Yes actually @Gnome134 that’s another thing.

How do the police actually verify that an individual has travelled non essentially? I’m not condoning non essential travel, but if one were to go out and was stopped and said that they were visiting a sick relative when they weren’t, how can the police prove it? So it must be down to what the person says?

OP posts:

PinkSubscriber · 30/04/2020 15:59

Yes I had an email from rac saying cars do need moving a bit because of flat tyres breaks etc

Gnome134 · 30/04/2020 16:04

@fourpeasinapod exactly! I don't condone lying obviously, but currently nobody is expected to have proof of why they're out so the police would have to accept what was said. As long as you're not a ridiculous distance from home I don't think anything could be disproved.

Cheeseandwin5 · 30/04/2020 16:05

I dont think the rules would penalise your DS in the UK for taking the car out for short rides, but in Spain and other European countries he would be ( and I can only assume if the situation stays the same we will be taking the same steps)
In spain you can only go out if you are an essential worker (although this has now been relaxed but still most ppl arent allowed out) or going shopping or a medical emergency, and even then you need to go to your local clinic or shop. You can go out with dogs and kids for about an hour and only in a 1 km vicinity.

If you get caught for any other reason you will be given a hefty fine.

PurpleDaisies · 30/04/2020 16:06

Absolutely fine.

DdraigGoch · 30/04/2020 16:39

He only needs to drive his car every 4-6 weeks
My (admittedly old and in need of replacement) battery went flat in eight days.

ifonly4 · 30/04/2020 16:57

I know two people who've had problems with the battery in they're cars. Could he take it out for a task that might stop from going out, ie doing the shopping, if you need to use public transport for work, perhaps pick you up instead.

Goatymcgoaty · 30/04/2020 17:05

It’s classed as non essential, well it was when the lock down started. I got emails from the car breakdown company saying as such, suggesting we turn the (diesel) engine over on the drive, and then we should push the car a few metres up and down the drive so the brakes don’t seize up).

I think this is taking it too far, honestly if I tried to push the car down the drive I’d end up in A&E . But if stopped I would tell the police I’m going shopping, I wouldn’t risk a fine for something I deem essential.

BeforeIPutOnMyMakeup · 01/05/2020 22:55

@DdraigGoch your battery shouldn't go flat in 8 days as you should be able to go on a 2 week holiday without using your car. You need a new battery.

Nochangeplease · 02/05/2020 09:04

My battery went flat in around a week, probably 8-9 days and it was new last year. I as to call AA out so now I take it out every few days

Nochangeplease · 02/05/2020 09:05

I say 8-9 days but hadn’t used it that
Much before that either. Only very short journeys

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