Should I Let My Friend Drive My Car? What To Consider

We love our friends. They’ve been there through thick and thin. They helped you make questionable and great decisions in life. They’ve always had your back. All those things are wonderful, and we don’t take them for granted. However, have you seen your friend drive?

In college, there may be moments when your friend may offer to drive your car home or ask to borrow it to go to the grocery store. However, ask yourself if you should let your friend drive your car.

If they have a dire need or you’re in a situation where you can’t drive, here’s what to consider before handing over the keys.

Know if They’re a Good Driver

As stated above, we love our friends and would probably do anything for them. Still, it’s important to keep certain boundaries. If you know your friend isn’t the best driver or doesn’t uphold traffic laws, it’s best not to give over your car. When we say “good” driver, we don’t mean the stunt drivers in the Fast & Furious movies. A good driver is safe and cautious.

Consider taking your friend on a test drive before letting them borrow your car. You’ll be able to ensure they are a cautious driver. It would only make sense to lend your vehicle to a friend who will care for it. Don’t allow friendship to blind your judgment.

Lay Down Some Ground Rules

If the test drive is successful, it’s time to discuss rules and housekeeping. Your car has your (or your parents) name on it. This means whatever you say goes. If you don’t allow eating in your car, your friend should respect that.

You should also discuss passengers before your friend borrows your car. This is important to prevent any disagreements or broken trust. Again, before handing the keys over, ensure they uphold traffic laws and treat your vehicle as if it was their own (or better).

Talk About Insurance in the Worst-Case Scenario

It’s important to know if someone else can drive your car with your insurance when you allow a friend to borrow your car. Who will take the fault in case of an accident? Most of the time, the insurance will follow the car, not the owner. If your friend gets in a car accident, your insurance policy would cover the damage, and you would end up paying the deductibles.

In some scenarios, the insurance follows the driver. That typically happens when you don’t permit someone to drive your car.

Always Ask Why They Need To Drive Your Vehicle

Asking why someone needs to borrow something of yours isn’t rude; it’s cautious. You should know why your friend needs to use your car and when they will return it. There could be many reasons, especially because many college students don’t have a car during their first year.

Ensure their reason is valid, such as borrowing your car for a doctor’s appointment. If they need your car to drive to the mall and go shopping, you should consider keeping your keys to yourself.

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