(Print out in word document - click here)
Authorization To Drive A Vehicle
(Form Below)
The importance of having this document signed is usually overlooked by many sellers or individuals who may be loaning a vehicle to a friend or relative. The war stories our company has heard and several cases we are currently involved in personally (representing several of our lien holder clients) is quite interesting.
One of our billing clients recently ask us to do the billing for the individual he sold a vehicle too. That individual loaned his car to his girl friend. The 75 year old couple had a fight and the girl friend parked the car in her back yard. The debtor thought it would be easy for us to repossess the vehicle since the girl friend had no right to the vehicle. It is not that easy. There are laws restricting a recovery company going onto an individuals private property to repossess. Next, the debtor thought he would just report the vehicle stolen to the police. Since there was no proof that the debtor had not given the girlfriend an open ended invitation to drive the vehicle, (there was a known relationship that could be proved to have existed between the girl friend and the registered owner) the police would not arrest the girl friend for car theft. By law, the debtor was responsible for making his car payment, but he couldn't drive the vehicle. We obviously knew the legal ramifications on how to get the car back to the registered owner, but in the meantime all parties were stressing out. Although this sounds rather humorous when you are on the outside looking in, it is extremely stressful when you are the one that has your vehicle taken from you because of not adhering to a simple solution.
We have heard of other cases where an individual went to look at a car, took a car out for a test drive, left a $100. deposit and then said he had a right to drive the vehicle for 30 days. The seller claimed he said the potential buyer could only take the vehicle to an auto mechanic for a check up.
As a seller or as an individual loaning a vehicle to a friend, without an authorization to drive a motor vehicle giving specified time frames, signed by both parties, conflict can arise.
Your friend also needs to be protected in case they are pulled over or involved in an accident. Without proper authorization given to a friend in writing, you could find your vehicle in a police impound yard.
Vehicle Owner
Name: ___________________________________
Address: _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Work Phone: ______________________________
Home Phone: ______________________________
Vehicle
Vehicle Make: _____________________________
Model: ____________________________________
Year: _____________________________________
Vehicle Registration Number: __________________
Insurance Company: _________________________
Policy Number: _____________________________
Person Authorized to Drive (Borrower)
Name: _____________________________________
Address: ___________________________________
___________________________________
Work Phone: ________________________________
Home Phone: _______________________________
Drivers License #: _____________________________
Motor Vehicle Insurance Company: ________________
Insurance Policy Number: ________________________
Authorization and Consent of Vehicle Owner
I am the lawful owner of the vehicle indicated above. I give my authorization and consent for Borrower to use this vehicle as follows:
Dates of use: From____________________ to _________________________
Area in which vehicle may be used: ___________________________________
Restrictions or conditions on use: _____________________________________
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of _____________________ that the foregoing is true and correct.
_____________________________ Date: _________________________
Owner’s signature
Borrower's statement:
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of _____________________ that the information I have provided the owner for this document is true and correct and I agree to the terms specified for usage outlined by the owner for the above mentioned vehicle.
_____________________________ Date: _________________________
Borrower’s signature
[Don’t forget to make two copies – one for yourself and one for the borrower]