Whether traveling for business or pleasure, sharing driving duties with a companion allows you to enjoy the sights, but more importantly, to ease driver fatigue.
But what would happen if you got pulled over in a rental car that is not yours?
Some rental car companies automatically allow spouses or colleagues to drive the car without being added as authorized drivers.
However, being behind the wheel as an unauthorized rental car driver can lead to potentially serious repercussions.
Let’s explore what happens if you get pulled over in a rental car that’s not yours.
What Can Happen If You Are Pulled Over as an Unauthorized Rental Car Driver
There are few things as anxiety-inducing as seeing the flashing lights of a police cruiser behind you, especially when driving a rental car that’s not yours.
What follows a traffic stop may vary depending on the officer, circumstances, location, and your rental company’s policies.
When a Police Officer Pulls You Over
When you are pulled over, the police officer will first run your license plate. While the inquiry reveals the vehicle’s registered owner, in this case, the rental company and their contact information, the officer will not have immediate knowledge of who is behind the wheel.
The officer will then ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. A rental vehicle will not have the registration in the car, but you can provide the rental agreement or contract which should also include the insurance policy.
At this point, the officer may call the rental company to verify the car’s registration. If the officer notices you are not listed as an authorized driver in the paperwork you’ve provided, they may inform the rental company.
The Rental Company
Rental car companies typically have strict policies regarding their vehicles.
Should the rental company find out you are driving without authorization, they may cancel the vehicle’s insurance coverage, terminate the renter’s contract, the renter may incur fines and penalties from the company, and the unauthorized driver and renter may be banned from renting from the company in the future.
Some companies may even report the vehicle as stolen, putting you in a huge predicament with the law.
Additionally, they may take legal action against the driver and the renter for violating the rental contract terms.
Traffic Violations
During a traffic stop, the driver is responsible for all infractions, which include speeding, reckless driving, running a traffic light, and ignoring road signage. The renter and rental company are not responsible for any traffic violations suffered by the unauthorized driver.
Depending on the state where you are stopped, driving without permission from the rental company may lead to additional penalties.
Furthermore, you may incur criminal charges and possible jail time, if the rental company reports the vehicle as stolen and law enforcement may decide to have the car towed.
In the case of an accident or a DUI (driving under the influence), the rental company’s insurance will not cover you as an unauthorized driver. Therefore, you’ll be responsible for any damages to the rental company. You may also face fines and be arrested.
What Can Happen If You Are Pulled Over in a Rental Car That’s Not Yours
While sharing driving duties with a travel companion can be helpful, driving a rental without the rental company’s authorization can lead to potentially serious repercussions.
To avoid complications, ensure you have proper authorization from the rental company and know their policies for additional drivers before getting behind the wheel of a rental car that is not yours.
