can you drive deceased person's car

[LeKhloe]

Yes, you can drive a deceased person's car, but only if you are the legally appointed executor or administrator of their estate, or if you have been given explicit permission by that person. The key is having the legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. Simply being a family member does not automatically grant you this right. The most critical step is to transfer the vehicle's title into your name or the estate's name through the probate court before driving it regularly. Driving the car without this authority could be considered unlawful operation.

The process varies significantly by state. Some states offer simpler procedures for low-value estates, while others require full probate. You must also handle the insurance correctly. Inform the insurance company of the policyholder's death immediately. You may be granted a short grace period (often 30-60 days) to maintain coverage while you sort out the title, but you must secure a new policy in the estate's or your name before driving it legally in the long term.

Here is a comparison of general requirements in different states:

State	Probate Threshold for Small Estates	Typical Title Transfer Timeframe	Special Notes
California	$184,500 (2024)	30-60 days after court order	Affidavit for Transfer of Vehicle title available for small estates.
Texas	No limit for sole-owned vehicles	Varies by county	Requires a Form VTR-262 (Affidavit of Heirship) for vehicles.
Florida	$40,000	Several weeks	Requires a Final Order of Discharge from probate court.
New York	$50,000	30-90 days	Simplified "Voluntary Administration" for small estates.
Illinois	$100,000	4-6 weeks	A Small Estate Affidavit can be used if criteria are met.

The primary risk is a traffic stop. If you cannot prove your legal right to operate the vehicle, you could be fined for driving an unregistered vehicle or without insurance. Furthermore, if the car is still legally owned by the deceased, any accidents could lead to complex legal issues where the estate's assets are at risk. The safest path is always to consult with the probate court handling the estate to understand your specific rights and responsibilities before you get behind the wheel.

[VanFaith]

Been through this with my dad's truck. The short answer is, it's a paperwork headache you can't ignore. Don't just take the keys and go. You have to be officially in charge of his stuff—that's what "executor" means. Call the insurance company first thing; they'll tell you how long you're covered. Then, you gotta get the title switched over through the court. It feels wrong to be dealing with DMV forms when you're grieving, but it's the only way to avoid big trouble later. Do it right, for their sake.

[Jackson]

From a legal standpoint, operating the vehicle is permissible under specific conditions. The estate's executor possesses the fiduciary authority to manage assets, which includes the vehicle. This authority is granted by a probate court. Before operation, one must confirm that liability insurance is active and appropriately assigned to the estate or the executor. Without a formal court appointment, such as in the case of an intestate estate where no will exists, no individual has the legal right to dispose of or use the asset until an administrator is appointed. The potential for liability is substantial.

[TuckerLynn]

Think of it like this: the car isn't yours until the law says it is. My advice is to treat the car like any other valuable possession left behind. It's frozen in time, legally speaking. Your first call should be to the lawyer handling the will or the probate court. They'll outline the exact steps for your state. It’s tempting to use it for errands, but hold off until you have that new title document in hand. That piece of paper is what separates a simple drive from a legal problem.