MattGM 12 Posted July 9, 2017 (edited) Like most, if not all of you I suspect, I have demonstration insurance bundled with my trade insurance package. Naturally, the policy dictates that the policy holder (me) needs to be present in the vehicle, and the driver ofcourse has to have a full driving license. Now I'm going to be totally honest, I've never once asked to see a driving license prior to a drive, I may be breaking a golden rule there, I just never have, I've assumed in all cases prior to the one I'll mention that they have held a full license. On Friday I have a young lad and a middle aged man come to view a car. They look around it and I establish that it's the middle aged man that's showing interest to buy. We get to the point that he wants to take the vehicle out, but oddly wants his son, the younger lad to drive the vehicle. To my eye, this young lad is 17 at most, but looks like a spotty teenager, I'm unsure so say I'd let him drive if I could see his photocard, which he 'didn't have'. I then drop a bit of a bollock by saying the older guy can drive it, but I never asked to see his license, so obviously the conversation then turns to 'You never asked to see his license', and the whole thing becomes very awkward. To cut a long story short, I stuck by my guns and expressed concerns that the young lad didn't look old enough, he couldnt show me any form of ID, so I said I'd let the older man drive the car on the road, and the younger lad could drive the car around the private industrial estate on which I'm based. End result, is the two guys got the arse and walked away at that point, no real bad blood, just not happy with my offer to meet in the middle.. if you will. So should I be checking licenses all the time? Do you guys? And what would you have done? I'm a little gutted as the car in question has been up for a little longer than most, and they seemed interested, and judging by the new X6 they pulled up in, they had the finances to buy on the spot too. My gut feeling is that the dad wanted the Defender for the lad to use on the farm and then once he passed his test, but I may be wrong. I did leave it open for them to come back with a license, but I genuinely don't think the lad had one, and the father wouldn't progress with the deal as a matter of principle. I'd like to think however, that any decent father wouldn't allow their unlicensed son to drive without a full license, or meeting learner criteria anway, very odd! Edited July 9, 2017 by MattGM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ocsltd 133 Posted July 9, 2017 Matt, for what it's worth, you did exactly the right thing, and I would have done the same. Always, always trust / listen to your gut instinct. Whilst it's annoying to lose out on a sale, it's not worth the risk should something have gone wrong..... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 704 Posted July 9, 2017 We have ins. cover allowing unaccompanied test drives for up to 10 minutes.The punters must declare and sign they have a current licence and provide their ID etc. However,I once refused to deal with 2 quiet young lads who looked about 15 and had shaved heads.They were interested in a Passat diesel.They looked like ram raiders to me.They said nothing and left.A few hours later,we get a phone call from their mother,screaming at us.It turned out she was a regular customer and her boys had travelled 50 miles to buy this car.The boys were in their early 20's and were well known professional jockeys ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rory RSC 596 Posted July 9, 2017 Ten mins? Very specific that. We had someone come in yesterday to view a Qashqai who was actually on an unaccompanied test drive from another garage. Trade plates, his family and the price board in the car. Who does that sort of thing? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
have a word with the wife 299 Posted July 9, 2017 my insurance is over 25s, accompanied, you can use the "over 25" only rule to discourage timewasters / unsures, [ if yours is 18+] . Youve done the right thing, your abiding with the law, and its got to be a strict, no, your not insured mate.......... i occasionally ask to see licence, but do forget many a time i hate test drives, not so bad if i am driving, i am in control and it gets away from the pitch for a proper talk, but when they drive, oh my god its hands off steering wheel, speeding, 3rd gear instead of fifth, up and down gearbox for no reason whatsoever [ accompanied by a "sorry" when they hit second instead of fourth ] 9 minutes ago, Rory RSC said: Ten mins? Very specific that. We had someone come in yesterday to view a Qashqai who was actually on an unaccompanied test drive from another garage. Trade plates, his family and the price board in the car. Who does that sort of thing? should have nicked the price board Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 704 Posted July 9, 2017 1 hour ago, Rory RSC said: Ten mins? Very specific that. We had someone come in yesterday to view a Qashqai who was actually on an unaccompanied test drive from another garage. Trade plates, his family and the price board in the car. Who does that sort of thing? We never time them,we just emphasise 10 mins,otherwise punters will take the p... like your experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHM 994 Posted July 9, 2017 5 hours ago, trade vet said: We have ins. cover allowing unaccompanied test drives for up to 10 minutes.The punters must declare and sign they have a current licence and provide their ID etc. However,I once refused to deal with 2 quiet young lads who looked about 15 and had shaved heads.They were interested in a Passat diesel.They looked like ram raiders to me.They said nothing and left.A few hours later,we get a phone call from their mother,screaming at us.It turned out she was a regular customer and her boys had travelled 50 miles to buy this car.The boys were in their early 20's and were well known professional jockeys ! Obviously not that well known! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattGM 12 Posted July 9, 2017 59 minutes ago, tradex said: We have a test drive form to complete, takes 8 mins tops to complete, safer for both parties. Website clearly states no uk licence no test drive. Must be over 22. ....you would not believe how many viewers haven't got 8 mins....sorts the messers out I can tell you. If the guy driving has an accident and he ain't got a licence I believe you are both at fault? You see I thought it's the driver's fault, but the insurance is invalid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 704 Posted July 9, 2017 1 hour ago, BHM said: Obviously not that well known! 1 hour ago, BHM said: Obviously not that well known! Well known,but not to me (knowing nowt about racing).If I can digress etc....We got them back and did a deal.It so happened that the next week my wife and I had been invited to the big meeting at York by the heirachy of our chucky company who were having their annual bash.One of guys had some rides so naturally I asked for some tips.He said something like,that one could win,that one might get placed but don't bet on that one in the first,as it is hopeless.Come the first race,this horse is 100/1.However my wife is so impressed by the outfit worn by the owners wife,she puts a fiver on to win! and you know what.....!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grant8064 219 Posted July 9, 2017 I take a photocopy of every drivers license and write the time, date and reg on and stick it in the file. I'm always amazed how many people come out car hunting without their license. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
umesh 336 Posted July 10, 2017 Take copies of licence ( Gut feeling - you can't beat that ...most of the time) - Sign a 'Test Drive Declaration ' - Insured for unaccompanied test drive 25_ - customers love going out on their own , but to be honest if I'm not sure I'll go with them. The form makes it official and gets full details inc Tel No , email address , SOI , Etc etc On on Thursday customer test drove a car had been elsewhere before told me how they just handed the keys and said " don't get caught out on cameras' never took his details ... how does that work - I said surely they have your address or tel no - he said they never asked for anything !!! (This is my disclaimer ) Test Drive Disclaimer Date of birth: ……../……./……….. PLEASE PRINT DETAILS: Full Name ___________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Post Code ___________________________________________________ Tel No 's __Home:___________________________________________ Mobile_____________________________________________________________ e-mail address>____________________________________________________ Current Car & Reg. No _____________________________________________________ How do you know about us? ________________________________________ Advert ( if advert which one please)_________________________________ Recommendation _________________________________ Other ______________________________________________________________ I hereby confirm that I have been made aware of the operations of all the controls on the vehicle below. I am further aware that whilst I have this vehicle on a demonstration I am liable for any motoring offences e.g. speeding etc whilst the vehicle is in my custody. I agree to return the vehicle after the test drive.(approx 10/15 Minutes) Should I damage the car out of neglect/carelessness then I shall pay for all repairs/damage etc. I agree to the above terms and declare that I hold a full UK valid licence and have no prosecutions/convictions pending or any special restrictions for driving this vehicle. Signature. I have agreed to sign this form because I am interested in purchasing the above vehicle and wish to appraise it prior to signing an order to purchase it. Test Drive Vehicle Make & Model__________________________________________________ Reg. No __________________________________________________ Date __________________________________________________ Time Out ______________ Return Time________________________ Umesh Samani -Specialist Cars Elder Road - Cobridge-Stoke on Trent.ST6 2BU Tel 01782 822 700 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trident 24 Posted July 10, 2017 Interesting topic, nice template Umesh... so heres a story for you, in the early days we had a chap interested in buying a car, had a test drive, didn't ask for a copy of licence, went on trust... so eventually he bids us, takes his time and then agrees to buy, comes along to collect his car with his friend nearly finished sorting paperwork, ask to see copy his licence for id - didn't recognise it AT ALL, then he says "omg i'm so happy today".."why's that?" i asked, "i couldn't believe it" he explained.."WHAT? WHAT?" i only went and passed my theory test yesterday i was horrified, it gets worse, he gets in the car, then gets out, "how do i know how much fuel it has?" WTF - "look at the petrol guage!!!" "wheres that?" - need i say more...NOW, we photocopy every driving licence, complete the lawgistics form and mostly go accompanied... the running joke with most of them is "you bend it, you bought it..." they look a little perplexed then return the car in the same condition it went out in, happy days... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 704 Posted July 10, 2017 Unaccompanied test drives cover depends on where you operate from.We have been doing them for over 20 years but we have to do due diligence,cctv,ID,demo booklets,signatures etc.It all costs money.We have had the same insurer for many years but when we got a pitch in SE London,getting ANY sort of motor trade cover was difficult,it was an insurers no go area! We got some foreign insurer,but it was definitely a no go area! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betginge 73 Posted July 11, 2017 14 hours ago, trade vet said: Unaccompanied test drives cover depends on where you operate from.We have been doing them for over 20 years but we have to do due diligence,cctv,ID,demo booklets,signatures etc.It all costs money.We have had the same insurer for many years but when we got a pitch in SE London,getting ANY sort of motor trade cover was difficult,it was an insurers no go area! We got some foreign insurer,but it was definitely a no go area! Bloody Foreign insurance companies coming over here, taking our business 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FHP11 8 Posted July 11, 2017 I had this discussion recently with our insurer and was told I should take a copy of their photo card AND carry out a driving license check with the DVLA to ensure they are not currently banned (Same as when you rent a vehicle). To do this you need their NI number. When I said this was ridiculous and that nobody takes their NI number when going to look at cars, I was told "Thats not in our experience". A new one on me... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's me 615 Posted July 12, 2017 10 hours ago, tradex said: Main agents do this. yes,just found this out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Gilmore 0 Posted July 17, 2017 I would have insisted it's the insurance policy rules that the policy holder / garage has to see the driving licence for under 25s / 21s (or say no age and say everyone if you dont like the look of an older bloke!) Always shift it back on the insurance company and bring the bobbies in to it and say "if we get stopped..." That way no one can be arsey with you. If they insist they have one but not got it with them then just emphasise the rules... At the end of the day, if spotty Joe hit the car and didnt have a licence, then you would be left in the deep end... and there probably is some small print in the insurance that says the driver should have a licence and liability to check this licence will fall on to the policyholder... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamesWhite542 0 Posted November 18, 2017 A few of our local showrooms in Kent use a licence checking service called https://licencemanager.co.uk/, not used it myself but was talking to one of them about it the other day, they just input the driver and check them there as they keep tabs on there staff with it as well for points and such. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamesWhite542 0 Posted November 18, 2017 Yeah I think it's the case they use it for their staff, but just as their used to the system they check test drivers on it as well, didnt really get into the specifics, I know theirs a few similar services out there Haha yeah always forget my National Insurance number Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamesWhite542 0 Posted November 18, 2017 I use that but the other automates the checking of it for their staff, so they dont have to put in the details over and over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
