Audio By Carbonatix

A Redditor turned to the Legal Advice forum to ask a delicate family question. His brother-in-law had borrowed his car. Then the man came over for dinner. “As the night went on we had a few drinks and the BIL confessed that his car actually works, but his license is suspended and he didn’t want to risk his car being towed…My wife is telling me that it’s fine.” Responses from lawyers convinced the poster to take back the keys.

The top comment put the answer succinctly: “If he gets in an accident, you could be sued for negligently entrusting your vehicle to a driver with a suspended license.”

Long story short, there’s a reason the BIL had his license suspended. A judge heard the evidence and decided he’s not fit to be driving. So enabling him to continue driving is negligent.

Letting someone with a suspended license drive your car could get expensive

Another comment pointed out a second danger: “If you knew. Your insurance will not cover in an accident.” A third comment made it clear just how exposed the original poster is: “If he is in an accident, the other person could sue you personally. Your home and everything you own is now at risk.”

The entire situation begs one question: Why did the Redditor’s BIL think a borrowed car would solve his problems? Perhaps he worried the police would target his own car, knowing his license is suspended. One commenter may have guessed the reason: “Did he get a DUI. Is he required to have an interlock device?” If his car had a court-ordered breathalyzer installed in the ignition, he may have asked to borrow another car just so he could drink and drive.

Later, the original poster updated the forum on his saga: “I have already gotten the keys back from BIL and I scolded him for putting us in this position.” You can see the full post and latest updates embedded below:

In California, my brother-in-law has been driving my car with a suspended license, could my car be towed if he’s pulled over?
byu/UrbanPlanningDude inlegaladvice