Suspended license and car rental

[wilkeliza]

That depends on where you live. In my state, suspending a drivers' license is the first-line punishment for just about everything. I know people who have had licenses suspended over an unlicensed dog, an unmowed lawn, unpaid child support, delinquent court costs, improper equipment on a bicycle, old parking tickets, a loud muffler, and dozens of other violations that have nothing to do with driving skill or safety. Any overdue debt to any court or law enforcement agency is grounds for suspension of driving privileges, as counterproductive as that sounds. And unlike suspensions for moving violations, DUIs, etc., there's no set duration for debt-triggered suspensions. If you don't pay that dog license fine, your license will be suspended for the rest of your life. It isn't quite debtor's prison but it is close.

That seems really excessive. Seriously how does an unlicensed dog lead to a suspended drivers license? Those two thing do not correlate. Glad I don't live where that happens.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Just speaking from my experience they have never run my license nor my husband's license when renting a car.

I've rented a car several times and my husband rented a car every 2 weeks for 13 1/2 months (in Houston, KC, and Maryland) from July 2015-August 2016 and we just rented a car in Hawaii. While they ask for your license they have never advised us they have run our license numbers. If they do then they have never said it and the running would need to be fully complete in under a few minutes. Granted my husband was using his company's credit card and company rate in Houston, KC and Maryland (though not in Hawaii) but still he was asked to provide his driver's license each time.

We also have never been asked to provide our insurance proof though we always carry it with us if using a rental car.

That being said when we were renting a car in Maryland (as I was visiting him while he was working up there) the rental car place asked for the person next to us to provide physical insurance proof and even when they did they had the person call the insurance company so the rental car agent could talk to them. Having worked in insurance previously this did happen from time to time though due to privacy laws all the person could answer was yes or no to the policy being in force, yes or no to full coverage, and yes or no to the driver being rated on the policy.

The daughter in the OP's post is gambling with the law. Someone else needs to be the driver or the daughter should not go if there is no one else to drive.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That depends on where you live. In my state, suspending a drivers' license is the first-line punishment for just about everything. I know people who have had licenses suspended over an unlicensed dog, an unmowed lawn, unpaid child support, delinquent court costs, improper equipment on a bicycle, old parking tickets, a loud muffler, and dozens of other violations that have nothing to do with driving skill or safety. Any overdue debt to any court or law enforcement agency is grounds for suspension of driving privileges, as counterproductive as that sounds. And unlike suspensions for moving violations, DUIs, etc., there's no set duration for debt-triggered suspensions. If you don't pay that dog license fine, your license will be suspended for the rest of your life. It isn't quite debtor's prison but it is close.

That is very very true and unfortunate for those living in the strict states. I will say though personally regardless of the reason a suspended license=no driving.

 

[scrapquitler]

I don't know all back ground on the why of the suspended license, but one of my co-works got into a heated argument with her daughter at lunch today and I got the joy of listening to one side of it.

But the basis's of the argument got me wondering, cause I have no clue who is right.

What it boils down to is, the daughter is going on a road trip, but her license is suspended (don't even get me started on the whole illegal aspect of driving with a suspended license) and she is renting a car, because hers won't make the journey.

Mom is telling her that the car rental place will run a check on her license and she won't be allowed to rent the car. Daughter is telling her that they don't. From listening to them continue to argue, I am understanding that if they do ask, she is just telling them that someone else will be driving the car, which they won't be. Only she will. She is even having a friend go with her to pick up the car and drive it off the lot if need be.

It's been so long since we had to rent a car, I couldn't remember if they run your license or not. Mom asked me if I knew and I said no clue, but then wonder mind said ask the DIS members. Someone is bound to know if they do or not.

I don't know if they run your license or not, but driving with a suspended license is just asking for trouble, and having someone drive who isn't listed as a driver, is a really bad idea.

 

[Colleen27]

That is very very true and unfortunate for those living in the strict states. I will say though personally regardless of the reason a suspended license=no driving.

I can't see it quite so black and white, given how essential driving is for most people to maintain employment around here (they don't call us the Motor City because of our efficient public transit!). I would absolutely feel that way for myself, as a relatively privileged individual with both the financial means to resolve tickets on time and the luxury of time that allows driving to be a choice rather than a necessity for most of my day-to-day activities, and for my kids who have no excuse to let it get to that point other than trying to hide a ticket from me. But I have a hard time judging the mom across the street who drives on her blight-ticket suspended license to make the money to pay the mortgage on the house she can't afford to fix up to avoid the stupid tickets in the first place (rent in our community is more expensive than ownership so she'd be in worse trouble if she let the house go). Like I said, it isn't debtors prison but it is awfully close - taking away something that is all but essential to holding a job as a punishment for being too poor to afford to pay fines. It needs to change but it is too effective a debt collection tool to get any public officials behind reform efforts. People will pay their tickets before their electric bill just to avoid the license suspension.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I can't see it quite so black and white, given how essential driving is for most people to maintain employment around here (they don't call us the Motor City because of our efficient public transit!). I would absolutely feel that way for myself, as a relatively privileged individual with both the financial means to resolve tickets on time and the luxury of time that allows driving to be a choice rather than a necessity for most of my day-to-day activities, and for my kids who have no excuse to let it get to that point other than trying to hide a ticket from me. But I have a hard time judging the mom across the street who drives on her blight-ticket suspended license to make the money to pay the mortgage on the house she can't afford to fix up to avoid the stupid tickets in the first place (rent in our community is more expensive than ownership so she'd be in worse trouble if she let the house go). Like I said, it isn't debtors prison but it is awfully close - taking away something that is all but essential to holding a job as a punishment for being too poor to afford to pay fines. It needs to change but it is too effective a debt collection tool to get any public officials behind reform efforts. People will pay their tickets before their electric bill just to avoid the license suspension.

I have no problem judging them. If they can't afford to pay their tickets, maybe they shouldn't violate the law in the first place so they won't have fines to pay. If you don't have a valid license, you shouldn't be behind the wheel.

 

[Colleen27]

I have no problem judging them. If they can't afford to pay their tickets, maybe they shouldn't violate the law in the first place so they won't have fines to pay. If you don't have a valid license, you shouldn't be behind the wheel.

You don't think that some lawbreaking, like not having the money to fix blight issues on your property or to replace a busted muffler, is a product of poverty rather than willful disregard for the law?

 

[Kellykins1218]

I don't believe anyone should be driving a car without a valid license. Period. THAT is a willful disregard for the law.

 

[manning]

... and unless she is added as a driver (not likely without a valid licensed), she won't be authorized to drive the car. If she does anyway and there is an accident or other issue, she's in a lot of trouble both civilly and possibly criminally.

As the renter is.

 

[Katie Dawn]

If the friend ends up "posing" as the person renting the car, SHE'S the really stupid one in this equation. If the daughter has an accident the rental company will sue the friend for reimbursement on all the damages. And they'll win the case of course.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I can't see it quite so black and white, given how essential driving is for most people to maintain employment around here (they don't call us the Motor City because of our efficient public transit!). I would absolutely feel that way for myself, as a relatively privileged individual with both the financial means to resolve tickets on time and the luxury of time that allows driving to be a choice rather than a necessity for most of my day-to-day activities, and for my kids who have no excuse to let it get to that point other than trying to hide a ticket from me. But I have a hard time judging the mom across the street who drives on her blight-ticket suspended license to make the money to pay the mortgage on the house she can't afford to fix up to avoid the stupid tickets in the first place (rent in our community is more expensive than ownership so she'd be in worse trouble if she let the house go). Like I said, it isn't debtors prison but it is awfully close - taking away something that is all but essential to holding a job as a punishment for being too poor to afford to pay fines. It needs to change but it is too effective a debt collection tool to get any public officials behind reform efforts. People will pay their tickets before their electric bill just to avoid the license suspension.

Unfortunately that is the way certain states are. Are there times where it's more of a petty crime (crime in a sense that the state considers it a crime) that leads to a suspension? Sure. However, it is also a person's responsibility to take care of things and sometimes that may mean fighting whatever caused you to get a suspended license if you feel you were unfairly given it or finding the money to get it taken care of.

Believe me I get it that there are things that are a no win or catch 22 situation. But a person who drives with a suspended license regardless of the reason is breaking the law. Can you imagine driving while having a suspended license and getting into an accident and your insurance carrier (which they have a right to do depending on state laws and how they are filed with their state's Department of Insurance) won't cover the accident? That in itself could cause financial ruin if you're on the hook for damages especially if there is loss of life or an injury.

There are also things people are in control of that they choose to role the dice on:

~Parking in an illegal zone and you get a ticket? Speeding? Letting your car insurance lapse? Failing to renew your tags on time? Failing to renew your license on time?

~Sure I may not get my license suspended because I didn't license my cat with the city but I do get a monetary fine which I have to pay..failure to pay that fine may result in other consequences. Sure I don't get my license suspended for failure to mow my grass to the appropriate height but I would get a monetary bill from my HOA for the cost of them having to have it mowed..failure to pay that results in a possible lien on my house and the HOA takes me to court to get the money from me. Having a muffler that is louder than the noise ordinance allows results in a fine..failure to pay that fine may result in a suspended license. Unpaid speeding tickets will result in a suspended license (sister-in-law had this happen to her). Unpaid parking tickets I believe also lead to a suspended license. Etc.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Sheesh. If my kid were that disrespectful of the way I brought her up I wouldn't argue with her over whether she can rent a car. About all I'd say is don't expect me to come bail you out at the crack of dawn kid.

 

[Hikergirl]

The most definitely run your license as you have to provide a valid license at time of rental and when you pick it up. I can't believe this young lady is not take the severity of having her license suspended. That isn't something they just take away because you got in one accident. On top of that a friend is helping her get the car if need be. SMH.

It really depends, I had my license suspended when I was 19. I got a ticket and never paid it, consequence was my license was suspended. I drove anyway, I was young and stupid.

 

[tvguy]

You absolutely have to present a valid license when you rent a car. Whether they actually run it or not I'm not sure. Theoretically, the friend could rent the car and drive it off the lot, but both girls will be in a world of trouble if there is a problem and she is driving the rental without being an authorized driver (and especially with a suspended license).

This, although in some states, they confiscate the license at the courthouse when it is suspended, so there is NO way she can rent a car with out the license in hand.

 

[Disney Doll]

Got to FL. Got to car rental desk. Guy at desk realized DH's license was expired on his recent bday. DH doesn't recall getting a "you need to renew your license" letter and didn't realize it was expiring.

Guess who couldn't rent a car?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sheesh. If my kid were that disrespectful of the way I brought her up I wouldn't argue with her over whether she can rent a car. About all I'd say is don't expect me to come bail you out at the crack of dawn kid.

Yep. Kinda like when my daughter called and said her car got towed while she was visiting her friend in the next town. I said "what are you going to do about it?"

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Yep. Kinda like when my daughter called and said her car got towed while she was visiting her friend in the next town. I said "what are you going to do about it?"

HAHA. Way to go Mom!!!! I'd probably drive over and help her out in the towing situation if it's just the next town over. But she'd be paying the impound fees for parking where she wasn't supposed to. And if she didn't have it she'd be helping out with the flower beds and mowing my lawn every week working it off. But driving without a license and deliberately flaunting the law for a pleasure trip is something all together different to me. And admittedly to be honest It's easy to say what I'd do I'd do knowing full well that what I would do if she really got arrested will never be tested. But there would definitely be strong emphasis placed on not doing it that is for sure.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Sheesh. If my kid were that disrespectful of the way I brought her up I wouldn't argue with her over whether she can rent a car. About all I'd say is don't expect me to come bail you out at the crack of dawn kid.

You can go to jail for license being suspended. Not to mention the cost of the fines for it.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I'm thinking back through the times I've rented a car and I can't recall ever getting the impression that the rental clerk was "running" my license. Ask for it as proof of ID, check that it isn't expired, make a Xerox copy of it in case I steal the car... Yes to all that. But actually running it through a database, I'm not so sure. A few times I've rented a car using only my passport as my form of ID and haven't had to show a driver's license at all. Think about when a car company rents to a foreign tourist -- They can't access French (or Jordanian or Bulgarian) databases to check the validity of those licenses. Heck, they probably couldn't even tell you if the license was legit or counterfeit just by looking at it.

Those things, plus the fact that a suspended license doesn't indicate that it's suspended, make me think she might get away with it.

 

[bcla]

I'm thinking back through the times I've rented a car and I can't recall ever getting the impression that the rental clerk was "running" my license. Ask for it as proof of ID, check that it isn't expired, make a Xerox copy of it in case I steal the car... Yes to all that. But actually running it through a database, I'm not so sure. A few times I've rented a car using only my passport as my form of ID and haven't had to show a driver's license at all. Think about when a car company rents to a foreign tourist -- They can't access French (or Jordanian or Bulgarian) databases to check the validity of those licenses. Heck, they probably couldn't even tell you if the license was legit or counterfeit just by looking at it.

Those things, plus the fact that a suspended license doesn't indicate that it's suspended, make me think she might get away with it.

The one constant I've encountered every time I've rented a car is that I needed to present a valid driver license. As an example, I looked up Dollar's policies.

https://www.dollar.com/AboutUs/GeneralPolicies.aspx

C. Authorized Drivers: The DOLLAR vehicle may be driven only by an authorized driver. An authorized driver is the renter and any additional person who appears at the time of rental and signs the rental agreement. All authorized drivers must satisfy our age requirements, have a valid driver’s license, provide a physical street resident address, a major credit card in their own name, and fulfill our other qualifications, which vary by location. Employers and co-employees of renters renting on corporate rate plans, if properly licensed and meet our age requirements, are authorized to drive the vehicle while acting within the scope of their employment duties. See our credit requirements and driver’s license requirements below. The authorized driver and any additional authorized drivers may be subject to a driver record check (See below). No other persons are authorized to drive the vehicle.

L. Driver's Licenses:

United States Citizens and U.S. Military Personnel: A renter or any additional authorized driver who is a citizen of the United States, must present at the time of rental:

(1) a driver’s license issued by any state, territory or possession of the United States , and valid for the entire rental period.

(2) a temporary driver’s license, valid for the entire rental period

(3) a traffic citation issued as a temporary license, valid for the entire rental period (the court date being the expiration date) and a second form of identification with signature (excluding the credit card used for rental)

(4) a valid U.S. military identification card plus an expired driver's license for active duty U.S. military personnel in those states where active duty U.S. military can drive on an expired driver's license

(5) a valid driver’s license issued by a providence or territory of Canada

(6 a foreign driver’s license* issued by the country of residence of the renter and additional drivers. If the driver’s license is not in English the renter and drivers may provide a current International Driver’s Permit (“IDP”); or, if from Japan, a Japanese Translation Service. An IDP does not give a person the right to drive, but provides a certified translation of the valid foreign driver’s license. An IDP (or certified translation) without the foreign issued driver’s license is not acceptable.

*If the foreign issued driver’s license is from a country where “permanent” or “non-expiring” driver’s license are issued, the renter and any additional drivers will also be required to show their passport, visa, or other current U.S. issued documentation at the beginning of their rental authorizing the renter or driver to be present in the USA at the time of rental.​