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I was just wondering what would happen if some one were to drive in PA with out their license and got caught. I am aware of the penalties that the driver would acquire but is there anything that the owner of the vehicle would receive due to letting the person with no licence drive their car. Thanks.

You mentioned that you knew the penalties for driving without a license however we will state them here again for your knowledge. In Pennsylvania, no person may drive any motor vehicle upon a highway or public property without a driver's license valid under the PA Motor Vehicle Code. Pennsylvania MVC chapter 15 explains that public property includes, but is not limited to, driveways and parking lots owned or leased by the Commonwealth or an agency thereof.

Again according to the PA MVC chapter 15, if a person drives without a valid license in Pennsylvania, they are guilty of a summary offense and upon conviction shall be sentenced to pay a fine of $200.And PA law states that every person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of section 1501(a) (relating to drivers required to be licensed) within seven years of the date of commission of the offense preceding the offense for which sentence is to be imposed shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

Under Pennsylvania law, it is also illegal for any owner of a motor vehicle to permit an unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code provides that no owner or person in control of a motor vehicle shall authorize or knowingly permit the vehicle to be driven in violation of the vehicle code. In the event that an unlicensed driver causes an accident, the vehicle owner will be held liable. So in addition to any criminal penalties, the car owner may be held liable for the property damage injuries caused to another by the unlicensed driver they allowed to operate their vehicle.

PA VC section 1574 is titled permitting unauthorized person to drive. Here it states:

(a) General rule - No person shall authorize or permit a motor vehicle owned by him or under his control to be driven upon any highway by any person who is not authorized under this chapter or who is not licensed for the type or class of vehicle to be driven.

(b) Penalty - Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) is guilty of a summary offense and shall be jointly and severally liable with the driver for any damages caused by the negligence of such driver in operating the vehicle.

You can contact a Pennsylvania court to get more information on what penalties are attached to a summary offense.

The vehicle that is driven by the unlicensed driver can also be impounded by law enforcement according to section 6309.2 of the Vehicle Code. This section is titled immobilization, towing and storage of vehicle for driving without operating privileges or registration. Under section (a) (1) it states:

If a person operates a motor vehicle or combination on a highway or traffic way of this Commonwealth while the person's operating privilege is suspended, revoked, canceled, recalled or disqualified or where the person is unlicensed, as verified by an appropriate law enforcement officer in cooperation with the department, the law enforcement officer shall immobilize the vehicle or combination or, in the interest of public safety, direct that the vehicle be towed and stored by the appropriate towing and storage agent...and the appropriate judicial authority shall be so notified.

You could also try contacting PennDOT since this government agency should be able to answer more questions about the penalties associated with permitting an unlicensed driver to driver your vehicle.

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This car insurance question was asked on 3/3/2008
This auto insurance answer was last updated on 3/25/2009
Tammy requested this car insurance solution.
Rated 0 out of 10 based on 0 votes.
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