Can I Lend My Car to Others to Drive?
2 Answers
It is best not to lend your car to others. Here is more information about lending a car: 1. Reasons: If you lend your car to someone without a driver's license and they are caught by traffic police, you may face fines and have your motor vehicle driver's license revoked. Even if you lend it to someone with a valid license, you should still be cautious, as you may bear corresponding liability in case of a traffic accident. 2. Exemption Conditions: The borrower must have a legal driving qualification: The 'Tort Liability Law of the People's Republic of China' clearly states that if an accident occurs after lending the car to someone else, the losses shall be borne by the insurance company and the driver, provided the owner is not at fault and thus not liable for compensation. For the owner to be exempt, the following three conditions must be met: the borrower has a valid driver's license that has not been revoked or expired; the driving record matches the type of vehicle being driven; and the borrower was not engaged in any legally prohibited behaviors such as drunk driving or drug driving at the time of borrowing the car.
Last time I lent my car to a buddy for a road trip, and he got caught speeding with a ticket sent to me. The worst part was he didn't have his driver's license on him. Luckily, there was no accident, or I would've been held accountable too. Later, I learned that lending your car carries big risks—if the borrower has no license or an expired one, the insurance might outright deny coverage. Even with insurance, if damages exceed the coverage, I, as the car owner, could still be on the hook for the difference. Now I get it—if a friend really needs to borrow the car in an emergency, first check their license is valid, and it's best to sign a simple car-use agreement clarifying responsibilities.
