I was driving someone else's car and was cited for failure to have proof of insurance, since I am not the owner am I liable?
Question Details:
I did receive a citation for failure to have insurance identification in possession. The vehicle I was driving was not mine; the owner did not put the current insurance card into the vehicle. Vehicle has current insurance with no lapses. Reason for being pulled over resulted in a warning only. Received a summons to appear in court. Would I be able to merely submit certified proof of insurance to the court to satisfy their requirements? Do I have any valid defenses? Would I still lose license for 6 months?
Failure to have insurance is taken very seriously because people that injure others who do not have insurance leave people injured without compensation. The state is likely going to take the position that you as the driver of a car has the responsibility to check it out before you drive to make sure it is in compliance with all the laws of the state and to make sure it is properly registered and is insured, regardless of whether you are the owner of the car. I suggest that you bring your own valid insurance card to court. I also suggest that you get the owner of the car to get valid insurance so you can show that the car was insured. This is the best way to get this charge dropped.
