Long story short, I was pulled over while driving a car that wasn't mine. (It belonged to a relative) , and the car's registration was not up to date. And to make things worse, the car was not insured either. I had no idea either of those problems. I got a ticket for $925 I'm the mail. Has anyone been in a similar situation? If so, what did you do?
Misdemeanor citiation for lack of insurance, but not my car?
- Thread starter Ivan_13
- Start date
i haven't been in that situation but the only advice i can offer is what you've probably already thought of, and that is to schedule a court date and plead your case in front of a judge/magistrate. the few times i've done this for various traffic violations they've always reduced my citation amount, removed points, etc. Just show up, dress nice, and state your case. usually that's all it takes to get some leniency unless your violation was for something that was uber bad. best of luck...
By the book response: you are responsible for everything when you are driving. Sucks I know, some things you just assume to be good aren't.
What a judge might say: "these are your fines, but I'd suggest you try to recoup your money from the owner."
Around here, no proof of insurance is mandatory court appearance.
Curious, why did you get the citation in the mail and not on the site? I'm surprised they didn't impound it then and there.
Good luck.
What a judge might say: "these are your fines, but I'd suggest you try to recoup your money from the owner."
Around here, no proof of insurance is mandatory court appearance.
Curious, why did you get the citation in the mail and not on the site? I'm surprised they didn't impound it then and there.
Good luck.
Lucky they didn't put you in cuffs. In Indiana they used to put you in the back of the squad car for failure to provide proof of insurance.
When I was hit by the idiot kid last year on my bike, he was driving his gf's car and she did not have proof of insurance in the car. He was cited at the scene and would have been heavily fined if she didn't provide proof of insurance and didn't authorize him on record to drive her vehicle.
It's a serious deal, I would always check that glove box before driving in anyone elses vehicle. :thumbup:
bloodypulp
New Member
La has more uninsured cars than anywhere else. A while back I stated about cars with orange stickers on them. The interstate is littered with them. A very dangerous place to ride.the state troopers take ur plate and stick big orange unremovable sticker. Cars sit there till all fines r paid.
alaskanflyboy
Premium Member
Unfortunately, the driver is generally regarded as having a responsibility to ensure those things are in place for whatever vehicle he is operating. You are also responsible for any items brought into a vehicle you are in control of in a lot of states, so your buddy's weed in his pocket is now legally also your weed in his pocket if you get pulled over. The driver is typically pinned with a lot of legal responsibilities and obligations that most of us, myself included, forget about.
One thing I'd check into is if your insurance covers you for whatever vehicle you are driving. You might be able to argue that you actually were insured at the time if your policy goes that far.
One thing I'd check into is if your insurance covers you for whatever vehicle you are driving. You might be able to argue that you actually were insured at the time if your policy goes that far.
Kdubb223
New Member
Try to fight it. But remember CA is broke... They want/need that $925
In California, most insurance policies will cover you for basic liability regardless of whose car you're in. Obviously they won't insure anything on the vehicle if you're in an accident, but you should have at least the minimum liability if you have an insurance card in your pocket from a California insurer with your name on it. There can be some limitations. Mine only covers me for driving a non-owned vehicle for up to 30 days per year, but it does cover me. (That limitation is mostly only in there to prevent employers from forcing you to provide full-time insurance for a company vehicle.)
I'd check with your insurance company. If you were covered, show up to the court date with proof that you had coverage as of that date, and tell the judge straight out that while the vehicle didn't have a policy, you did, and apologize for misunderstanding the terms of the policy and wasting the court's time, blah, blah, blah...
I'd check with your insurance company. If you were covered, show up to the court date with proof that you had coverage as of that date, and tell the judge straight out that while the vehicle didn't have a policy, you did, and apologize for misunderstanding the terms of the policy and wasting the court's time, blah, blah, blah...