James Baggott 227 Posted April 29, 2020 After the great work of Jim and Umesh at the IMDA getting clarification on this, we've followed it up with the DVLA tonight and they have confirmed dealers can let customers in the future go out unaccompanied on test drives using trade plates - insurance permitting. Story here https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/dvla-confirms-car-buyers-can-take-unaccompanied-test-drives-trade-plates/191239 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lucky13 14 Posted April 29, 2020 Great news, thanks James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
New year revolutions...... 197 Posted April 29, 2020 They have done this because I've been phoning them every day asking for mine to be sorned The bastards On a positive note paperwork needs to be watertight before any customer allowed out on a test drive even more so unacompanied It wont happen here but I would be fitting gpr tracking cameras in any car I let out to confirm no nips etc Maybe one for lawgistics to do a legal on 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casper 272 Posted April 29, 2020 (edited) Thanks james don't think i fancy it either but went to the local vw dealer years ago before arnold bought it and got one . Edited April 29, 2020 by Casper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RH Trading 80 Posted April 30, 2020 12 hours ago, James Baggott said: After the great work of Jim and Umesh at the IMDA getting clarification on this, we've followed it up with the DVLA tonight and they have confirmed dealers can let customers in the future go out unaccompanied on test drives using trade plates - insurance permitting. Story here https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/dvla-confirms-car-buyers-can-take-unaccompanied-test-drives-trade-plates/191239 Yeah great work all, received the confirmation yesterday morning - thanks 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Chopper 13 Posted April 30, 2020 (edited) Great move by the DVLA (and Jim/Umesh), although it should really be made permanent. It is, after all, only covering us for road tax - not MOT or insurance. I'm sure we have all let people out unaccompanied on trade plates before. The crucial thing, as mentioned by James and in the article itself, is insurance. Unaccompanied test drives/demos cover is not standard on most road risks insurance policies - it's an optional extra. My company has had it for a good number of years as we find that letting Mr & Mrs out on their own often seals the deal as they are under zero pressure and very often sell the car to themselves. This is only after they have been properly qualified and have initially been out for a spin with one of our sales advisors though! Edited April 30, 2020 by Charlie Chopper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
New year revolutions...... 197 Posted April 30, 2020 (edited) Unless you qualify your customers carefully Once this information gets on social media it's going to be a tyre kickers paradise This is why short term at least from my perspective this isn't going to happen with my cars, they will have to have to accept my cars have been through my very comprehensive appraisal package better than any main dealer would do and so no unacompanied drives will be offered at this time Subject to future reassesment Edited April 30, 2020 by New year revolutions...... Spullin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boycie 30 Posted April 30, 2020 We've always done it. Never had a problem. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bluechip Classics 7 Posted May 20, 2020 Slightly old thread resurrection but I contacted my insurance company to enquire about unaccompanied test drives last week and received the response yesterday... it left me somewhat speechless. £250 increase to premium - yep, ok.... expected that only drivers aged 30+ and >12 months license - not a problem, my market is more mature enthusiasts need to keep a log of drivers license details plus one other form of ID with address, date/time/car driven etc - mmm, ok. This is starting to get ballachy, but carry on.... not covered for theft - starting to feel uncomfortable now excess in event of a claim is 25% of the cars value, which was kindly explained to me if the car was worth £2000, the excess would be £500 - great, thanks... I can do quarters, by the way my cars are 5-20k. Really not happy now. Then, this little gem... amd finally, the car will need to be taxed - wait, uh... what?!?! Yes sir, you can’t use trade plates, the car will need to be taxed - are you on crack? You realise that as trade we are not supposed to tax cars (in fact it’s fraudulent to do so) and that is why we have trade plates... this went on for a good couple of minutes, I just couldn’t get through to them. Naturally I’ve politely told them to poke it and will have to try to reopen using PPE (masks) whilst on test drives. Absolutely incredible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Autolink100 34 Posted May 20, 2020 2 hours ago, brightonpad said: Slightly old thread resurrection but I contacted my insurance company to enquire about unaccompanied test drives last week and received the response yesterday... it left me somewhat speechless. £250 increase to premium - yep, ok.... expected that only drivers aged 30+ and >12 months license - not a problem, my market is more mature enthusiasts need to keep a log of drivers license details plus one other form of ID with address, date/time/car driven etc - mmm, ok. This is starting to get ballachy, but carry on.... not covered for theft - starting to feel uncomfortable now excess in event of a claim is 25% of the cars value, which was kindly explained to me if the car was worth £2000, the excess would be £500 - great, thanks... I can do quarters, by the way my cars are 5-20k. Really not happy now. Then, this little gem... amd finally, the car will need to be taxed - wait, uh... what?!?! Yes sir, you can’t use trade plates, the car will need to be taxed - are you on crack? You realise that as trade we are not supposed to tax cars (in fact it’s fraudulent to do so) and that is why we have trade plates... this went on for a good couple of minutes, I just couldn’t get through to them. Naturally I’ve politely told them to poke it and will have to try to reopen using PPE (masks) whilst on test drives. Absolutely incredible. Which insurer was this if you don't mind me asking? I was about to call ours (NIG) to ask the same question. Never been keen on sending them out on their own to be honest and I don't think I have ever been covered for it in all my years trading. I'm pretty sure some insurers won't even entertain it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bluechip Classics 7 Posted May 20, 2020 6 minutes ago, Autolink100 said: Which insurer was this if you don't mind me asking? I was about to call ours (NIG) to ask the same question. Never been keen on sending them out on their own to be honest and I don't think I have ever been covered for it in all my years trading. I'm pretty sure some insurers won't even entertain it Sorry to say it was NIG... not directly, through a broker but the underwriter is NIG.... Maybe it's for the best, like you I wasn't really keen either but want to find a way to get going again safely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Horgan 564 Posted May 20, 2020 Letting 80% of test drive out on their own will be a licence to either stop the car and remove parts , Get a mate to plug it in and potentially ruin your car , Thrash the nuts off it depending on car type , Steal the plates , Steal the Car , Get a ticket , Test drivers dream when they get to know they can take it out on their own . I've actually stopped numerous test drives only last year to take the keys and drive them back . Incompetence , breaking laws , cant bloody drive . Not for me till i rethink this through . Only have to lose ONE car and any benefits of doing the deal because you let drivers out solo is GONE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Premier Insurance 2 Posted May 20, 2020 I hope the following list helps, it's not complete but it covers the insurers that we have asked the question of at the moment. Some insurers issue wordings that list the named drivers allowed to use trade plates (they may just say "the policyholder or any employee", which does not work for unaccompanied demo), these wordings would need to be changed; easy enough on a most motor certificates but much more difficult in the policy wording. It sounds like NIG have queried the recent change in stance by the DVLA in regard to trade plates and are currently slow to respond to market needs, but they have advised they will provide an update soon. We are a motor trade broker, some brokers may not get as much flexibility but the following would be a good rule of thumb in regard to what to expect: Insurer Un-accompanied Demo? Caveats? Allianz (Q-Underwriting) Yes on request Case by case and subsequent premium charge Sales t/o of at least £500k but Allianz have been approached for thoughts on risks with sales t/o less than £500k Full Risk Management Checks need to be adhered to. Arch Yes on request Case by case and subsequent premium charge Full Risk Management Checks need to be adhered to. Aviva Yes on request Case by case and subsequent premium charge Full Risk Management Checks need to be adhered to. Axa Yes on request Case by case and subsequent premium charge Full Risk Management Checks need to be adhered to. NIG Yes on request Case by case and subsequent premium charge DVLA communication still under review. Update to follow. QBE Yes on request Case by case and subsequent premium charge Full Risk Management Checks need to be adhered to Roadrunner No Capacity provider AXA have been approached for review. SEIB Yes on request 35% Road Risks premium load for duration of extension Separate Trade Plate Certificate issued Full Risk Management Checks need to be adhered to. Travelers Yes on request Case by case and subsequent premium charge Full Risk Management Checks need to be adhered to. Unicorn Yes and No Case by case Capacity providers have been approached for review. A personal suggestion for test drives would be to get a basic camera and stick it in the car prior to the test drive, tell the customer it's an insurance requirement. I know some will disconnect it, but if they do, tell them they will not get another test drive in any of your vehicles. (It's only an idea). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHM 994 Posted May 20, 2020 Qualification of customers is the key, price of stock (half of mine I’d just sign out the V5 & mentally write it off rather than have a theft recorded) although I guess your stock profile will have the biggest impact on the bellend rating of your punters - imagine telling VAG-man or some undesirable specimen on a p/x BMW they’re free to go out on their own Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted May 20, 2020 6 hours ago, brightonpad said: Slightly old thread resurrection but I contacted my insurance company to enquire about unaccompanied test drives last week and received the response yesterday... it left me somewhat speechless. £250 increase to premium - yep, ok.... expected that only drivers aged 30+ and >12 months license - not a problem, my market is more mature enthusiasts need to keep a log of drivers license details plus one other form of ID with address, date/time/car driven etc - mmm, ok. This is starting to get ballachy, but carry on.... not covered for theft - starting to feel uncomfortable now excess in event of a claim is 25% of the cars value, which was kindly explained to me if the car was worth £2000, the excess would be £500 - great, thanks... I can do quarters, by the way my cars are 5-20k. Really not happy now. Then, this little gem... amd finally, the car will need to be taxed - wait, uh... what?!?! Yes sir, you can’t use trade plates, the car will need to be taxed - are you on crack? You realise that as trade we are not supposed to tax cars (in fact it’s fraudulent to do so) and that is why we have trade plates... this went on for a good couple of minutes, I just couldn’t get through to them. Naturally I’ve politely told them to poke it and will have to try to reopen using PPE (masks) whilst on test drives. Absolutely incredible. Not just incredible. But like heroes! In these difficult times we can show our appreciation for insurance companies by not clapping for them? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
awc1000 93 Posted May 20, 2020 7 hours ago, David Horgan said: Letting 80% of test drive out on their own will be a licence to either stop the car and remove parts , Get a mate to plug it in and potentially ruin your car , Thrash the nuts off it depending on car type , Steal the plates , Steal the Car , Get a ticket , Test drivers dream when they get to know they can take it out on their own . I've actually stopped numerous test drives only last year to take the keys and drive them back . Incompetence , breaking laws , cant bloody drive . Not for me till i rethink this through . Only have to lose ONE car and any benefits of doing the deal because you let drivers out solo is GONE a retailer i spoke with came up with a decent solution, after meeting the customer and being happy they are genuine - use the company hack and go out together, they follow you = your route at your pace. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHM 994 Posted May 20, 2020 2 hours ago, awc1000 said: a retailer i spoke with came up with a decent solution, after meeting the customer and being happy they are genuine - use the company hack and go out together, they follow you = your route at your pace. Eh? What’s decent about that? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
awc1000 93 Posted May 20, 2020 34 minutes ago, BHM said: Eh? What’s decent about that? whats not decent about it? its not ideal but will work for some surely, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Autolink100 34 Posted May 21, 2020 12 hours ago, awc1000 said: whats not decent about it? its not ideal but will work for some surely, Still classed as unaccompanied though so they won't be insured. Not ideal at all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
