Sometimes, a Texas resident lends their vehicle to a friend or family member. In that situation, you trust the person to be responsible with your car; the last thing you expect is to learn that they’ve gotten a DUI. This is what can happen in that situation.
DUI charges using your car
Usually, a person faces drunk driving charges while driving their own vehicle. However, if someone you know borrowed your car and was stopped by police and subsequently arrested for driving under the influence, you can expect to have a lot on your plate. Your vehicle might be seized if the individual charged with DUI got into a car accident. This means you will be responsible for paying fees to get it back.
Depending on the circumstances, you might even have your registration. Also, if the person you loaned the car to did have a drunk driving accident, you might have problems with your auto insurance coverage. Your insurer might decide you are a poor risk and raise your rates or drop you.
When you can face criminal charges
In some situations, if someone else gets a DUI while driving your car, you might even face criminal charges. If you were aware of the other person’s drunk driving history and still let them use your vehicle, you can be charged as an accessory.
It doesn’t matter if the other person was sober at the time you agreed to lend your vehicle to them; if their license was suspended or revoked, you would be equally responsible as if they had been drunk at the time. Likewise, if the person had their own vehicle but had an ignition interlock device installed on it and asked to use yours, you could face accessory charges.