driving a manual on an auto license? WCPGR?

[dieselnutjob]

I have quite a close friend who is currently driving a manual car, despite having only a license for an automatic.  I have told them that we should sort this out, and tried to get other friends to back me up but no-one seems to give a $#!t.

 

They are taxed, insured and MOTed, so I am guessing that if they did have an accident their insurance would at least pay out to the other party.  Wouldn't they?

 

From a moral point of view I'm not really comfortable about this, and I have offered to help them find an auto and sell off their manual.  I don't quite see what else I can do.

 

Their driving appears to be quite safe and acceptable but whether they (or many other people for that matter) would pass the test again after so many years, I don't know.

 

Is this worth loosing a friendship over?

[RayMK]

You have done your bit.  No one is being murdered, so sometimes you just have to step back and ignore life's little irregularities.  Other opinions may be available.

[Robson3022]

Would imagine insurance would be void in an accident they wouldn't pay anything.

[SiC]

Licence only covers driving automatic vehicles. So driving a manual is driving without a licence. Exactly the same if I jumped into a lorry and started driving it, as I have no lorry licence.

 

As driving without a licence, the insurance company could say you lied on your policy as you'd have to say you have a manual licence for a manual car. So they could nullify the policy as if its never existed. So effectively driving without insurance.

 

Of course nothing will happen until they either get caught from a road side stop, have an accident or someone shops them in...

 

Pretty sure the police would take an anonymous tipoff like they do with drink drivers. But then obviously that person will loose the car (as no insurance), policy will be mega expensive because driving with no insurance on licence and possibly loose job, etc, etc.

[DVee8]

I wouldn't of thought any insurance would be valid.

 

Edit as said above

[purplebargeken]

In the real world it is driving without a licence. No doubt he or she will be happy as Larry until he or she is stopped by the cops or has a bump. Then they be fucked. It's not like there are no cheap auto's around. It's stupid behaviour in my opinion but there you go.

[Tickman]

As above, no licence.

 

I have a neighbour who is 81 and has never renewed his licence according to his son-in-law (who also drives the car in the street with no licence!)

[Tamworthbay]

One simple question, why? As said above plenty of cheap autos about (two or three on here for less than £500). Just stupid.

[purplebargeken]

It's always ok until it isn't. I'd be pretty pissed off if I was hit by someone who turned out to have no insurance in all honesty.

[Pillock]

Yeah, you end up claiming through the MIB (not Will Smith, the other ones) and it takes yonks.

 

It's one thing to be driving uninsured and without a licence, it's another one entirely to be so blasé about it. But if you've had a conversation, and they get shopped to the cops or insurers next week they're gonna know it's you.

 

Personally I'd start making petty remarks about it almost constantly and make sure they know you're annoyed.

[purplebargeken]

They are either being hugely stubborn or hugely stupid about not getting an auto.

[Uncle Jimmy]

Cut off his knob.

[gadgetgricey]

Reverse into his car and ask to claim on the Insurance 

[purplebargeken]

Just a thought and in no way is it a reflection you in any way. Do you travel in this persons car? 

[DSdriver]

I would give him a time limit. Warn him that if he doesn't rectify the situation within X weeks you will be reporting him because of the good reasons given above. If he chooses to ignore your warning he is a fool and deserves whatever punishment he gets.

[stripped fred]

I would leave it. Not worth losing a friendship over. You've told them and I'd leave it at that. It's not right that they're doing it but for me it's not the same as drink driving. I would report them for that without a thought.

[rantingYoof]

Report them.

 

If they are a friend you value, reporting them makes even more sense.

 

Better for them to get pulled over and have a crappy afternoon with the rozzers than for them to, say, have an accident (with someone who could easily be a relative of yours, someone you know, someone from here etc), and for lots of people to have a crappy six months.

 

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[Tamworthbay]

Steal the clutch pedal?

[barrett]

Why are there even automatic licenses anyway? I get that some people have physical disabilities that prevent them from driving a manual, but for everybody else it basically means you can't drive a car and you deffo shouldn't be on the road. When I become king of the world one of my first jobs will be to revoke any auto only license.

[myglaren]

Surely if he is a competent and experienced driver a test for a manual licence should not be too difficult, a couple or three lessons should refresh him enough to pass.

If he can't pass he shouldn't be driving anyway.

 

My daughter in law has an automatic only licence (American)

There is no way she could take the UK test and pass it so she doesn't drive here any more.

[RayMK]

Interesting opinions.  Does this mean I have to start shopping friends who freely admit to cruising at 80+mph on motorways or who have to use a car to get to work despite knowing that it has serious issues with reliability/condition that could cause it to fail unpredictably on a motorway?  Friends are valued because of the advice they can offer.  The police are valued because they uphold the law.  If you have friends who are in the police, then don't be too surprised if you are shopped.  Duty bound etc..  Anonymous shopping by friends seems to me to be a bit GDR.

[purplebargeken]

We probably all do the odd dodgy thing, me obv included but I have a licence for the cars I drive. Therefore if I cause a smash then it gets dealt with as that. If this person has a smash, not only does it fuck them up but causes a world of grief and hassle for other folk. 

[PhilA]

The thought police will be along shortly.

 

Phil

[daveb47]

Its driving not in accrdence with licence.

Insurance null & void,simple as that,if police stopped him they would sieze his car

[dieselnutjob]

If their car is seized or they get into trouble with the police then that's their problem, I have warned them so my conscience is clear.

 

Also not having the correct license will not cause someone to die or whatever. It would be bad driving which would do that.

 

The invalid insurance is a worry though because that deprives the victim of whatever support they need/are entitled to.

 

I think I need to have another go and point out that if they do have an accident then they could be sued and without insurance this could cost them their home as the court would presumably have it off them as they are a home owner. Is that correct?

[purplebargeken]

I think that is all you can do. People have to take responsibility for their own actions and the possible consequences, whatever they may be. 

 

Good luck.

[Des]

Stick his car in third, break the lever off and fill the bell housing with oil. Automated bitch!

[Lacquer Peel]

There are worse things, my grandfather gave up driving recently and never held a driving license, he used his father's license as they share the same name.

He used to drive HGVs for the local council. The things you can get away with in the sticks...

[Christine]

You can't impress girls by doing wheelspins  in an  automatic, unless you back up first , floor it and whack it in D  

 

or you're running a yank

[cort16]

My grandpa never had a license either, he learned how to drive in the Army. He drove lorries and vans for a living his whole life.