My friend driving my car without Insurance

[skgmit]

Hope someone can help me with my question

I have a comprehensive insurance where myself and my wife are the named drivers. Last month I offered my to a friend whom I though has comprehensive insurance to drive other cars ( I realised later his insurance has expired). He was stopped by police and the car was taken away. Next day a police officer came and interviewed me and told that I will be reported to the court as its my responsibility to check he has valid insurance to drive my car. I was told that I will be getting summons from the court.



Have i commited a criminal offence here????

[blue..colour]

Sadly yes. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that anyone driving his/her car is insured to do so. Unfortunately ignorance is no defence.

[skgmit]

OK. My friend has borrowed the car earlier when his insurance was valid and i have seen his valid insurance(though that purticular day i didnt check again). Will this provide me any defence?

[New Judge]

No.

[Buenchico]

As others have stated, the law expects you to check that anyone driving your car has valid insurance.

The penalties for anyone failing to ensure that the driver of their car has valid insurance are exactly the same as for the driver. The maximum fine is �5000. (In practice, fines are generally much lower than this and also income related. Expect a fine of around �200, plus perhaps �70 costs plus �15 victim compensation scheme payment). In addition the court will endorse your licence with between 6 to 8 points. (In practice it will almost certainly be 6 points).

Chris

[skgmit]

Hi,

This incident happened on 10FEB and there is no further news from Police. Is normal for Police to take this long to come back with summons. Or am i lucky here