urban

iTrader: (1)

Guys

On behalf of a friend.

He lent his car to a family friend who was on holidays from the states.
Yankee went home a couple of weeks ago, but turns out he was caught speeding whilst in possession of friends car.

What should friend do, simply tell the cops that USA person was driving and here's his address?

CREWJ

I doubt they'd follow it up if you did.

douglasb

If he names a foreigner the police will be very interested in proof that the foreigner exists and was in this country at the time.

They will also be interested in what insurance cover the foreigner had (even if the American friend has their own "driving any car" insurance at home this is very unlikely to cover driving other cars outside the USA). The penalty for "permitting to drive uninsured" is the same as driving without insurance so expect 6 points and a £500 fine.

Of course if the American friend was driving fully insured and is contactable your friend should name him and let the American deal with the consequences, but your friend should then be prepared for further questions.

alloy

His obligation is to notify the filth of who was driving the car, so at a guess yes simply tell them the person who was driving!!!

urban

iTrader: (1)

Cheers for that
The insurance - my friend says he got him added to his insurance policy while he was visiting.

douglasb

I guess that it would do no harm then for your friend to include a copy of the insurance certificate naming the american friend when he replies. That would pre-empt the questions about whether or not he exists, was in the country and was insured.

scud8

iTrader: (1)

I would just name the friend in the NIP and give his US address. Don't volunteer more than is asked for. Keep the proof that the friend was a named driver on the vehicle at the time in case they follow-up.

speedking

How much would it cost to add an 'American friend' to an insurance policy on an annual basis?

SirFozzalot

urban

iTrader: (1)

I'd already thought of that earlier
The problem would be proving that this "American friend" was in the country

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

But surely, under UK law, it's NOT up to you to prove yourself innocent, it's up to THEM to prove you guilty?

Oh.........wait............Blair...........Lying Labour..............motorists..........

speedking

He never flies, he always comes over on the ferry

Harryr34

iTrader: (9)

You dont need to show any proof what so ever, just provide a name and address, the rest is down to them!

If you read the notice it says something along the lines of "As the registered keeper of the vehicle you are legally obliged to provide contact details of the driver of the vehicle at the time of offence" i.e. you don't need to provide anything else!

A friend of mine has been in a similar situation many times over the last few years, when asked for proof i.e. copy of the drivers insurance/license he replied saying he had been shown the original documents but did not get a copy.

scoobysewell69

Was he caught by a camera or man in the van? cant you ask for a photo off the dvla. My sister got caught speeding, when she got the notice through she requested a photo and it showed that she was driving. maybe if this is the case then request a photo which should then prove it was your friend.

r32

A friend of mine was caught on camera while driving with his Argentinian girlfriend. He said she was driving, she was happy to have her name used. (I dont condone this by the way) she was contacted twice in Argentina by the authorities here before they dropped it.