Insurance and liability when teaching someone to drive?

[UncleChuck]

So here is my situation. I have a friend who is in his early 30s, who has had health problems earlier in his life and never learned to drive.

Now that these health issues are resolved, he has his permit, and I've been teaching him how to drive and taking him out behind the wheel quite often. He is going to take his license test this Friday and I was curious about something.

We are using a car I own, and I have current insurance on. Obviously I'm with him whenever he is driving. How does insurance and everything work in this situation? He is not insured in any way, and I know that's OK for teen drivers and the like getting taught to drive by their parents, but this is a bit of a different situation.

I've looked around on the DMV website and some other places, and most all are talking about teens (more specifically those under 18) so I'm not sure how that applies to older drivers.

I have two worries:

One, he wrecks my car, which would make me and my insurance liable. I'm OK with that, it's the risk I'm taking. But since he is older, would I'm worried he could get into some sort of actual legal trouble since he is uninsured.

Second, when I take him for his test on Friday, will they let him drive (without me in the car) for the test, even though he doesn't have insurance?

Anyone know about this sort of stuff? I'd really appreciate it. I'd rather not call the DMV or (yikes!) go in and ask if I don't have to, for obvious reasons (it is the DMV after all)

Thanks for any help!

 

[classwife]

The best place to get your answer would be from your insurance carrier

 

[UncleChuck]

Now I feel like a dummy, that's quite obvious. Thanks classwife, I think the fear of the dmv was keeping me from thinking clearly

 

[AttyPops]

You insure the car, not the driver. Laws vary quite a bit by state though.

P.S.
There's nothing to say he can't buy his own car and insure it, BTW. He'll need one anyway. I don't think you need a license to OWN a car. You may need it for insurance though so you may wish to ask the insurance company about HIM buying a car and if they need a current driver's license.

 

[UncleChuck]

You insure the car, not the driver. Laws vary quite a bit by state though.

P.S.
There's nothing to say he can't buy his own car and insure it, BTW. He'll need one anyway. I don't think you need a license to OWN a car. You may need it for insurance though so you may wish to ask the insurance company about HIM buying a car and if they need a current driver's license.

Indeed he is planning to get his own car an insurance. He is on social security disability so his income is quite low, but eventually I'm sure he will. I was just worried about the actual driving test being an issue without him being insured.

 

[AttyPops]

If someone borrows your car, it's still insured by your insurance as I understand it. However, since he doesn't have a license yet, best to ask your agent/agency what happens....