I am 18 and living at home while doing my first year of community college. I spent two years saving up for a used car. It is not anything impressive, but I paid for it myself and I cover the insurance, gas, and repairs.
Last week I noticed the mileage was slightly higher than it should have been. Not enough for my parents to notice, but enough that I knew something was off. I asked both of them if they had moved it and they said no. Later my cousin, who has been staying with us for a few months, admitted she had taken it to visit a friend. She does not have a license yet and said she assumed I would not mind.
I told her it was not acceptable. She apologized and my parents told her not to do it again. I thought that was the end of it.
Yesterday she asked if she could borrow my car to pick up materials for a school project. I said no because she had already taken it without asking. She got upset and said I was refusing to forgive her. My aunt told me I was being unkind and that I should be supportive because my cousin has been having a difficult year.
I said I would drive her myself if she needed to go, but I was not giving her the keys. This apparently makes me immature and unwilling to help family.
Now I feel guilty because she is struggling and it was only a short trip. But she took my car without permission, without a license, and could have caused problems that I would have been responsible for.
NTA at all. NEVER EVER let anyone who is unlicensed drive your car!
If you feel badly, maybe offer to drive her if she gives you a couple bucks for gas. EDIT: I must have skipped over the part where you said you already offered.
NTA. No license, end of story. Next!
Protect your key fob! Always say NO!
NTA. Repeat after me “Ask me when you have your license.”
Nope, even with a license I would not let her drive the car!
NTA. Tell auntie and cousin that they BOTH will be having a bad year if cousin drives your car again. No means no, especially since she’s not even licensed!
Yeah. No license means that if she gets pulled over, and the cop is an asshole, he has every legal right to impound your car and make it a hassle to get it back. End of Story. NTA
NTA.
She doesn’t have a license. Why would she think she is allowed to drive ANY car?
Edit:
Also, if she takes the car again, report your car stolen.
What adult would be ok with anyone driving without a license? It’s illegal. You would probably be up for some costs if there was an accident. NTA. But your family and your cousin who think it’s alright? Major assholes.
NTA. She doesn’t have a license. She has no business driving your car…period. You absolutely should never give her permission until she has a valid license and has demonstrated that she’ll be responsible.
Tell auntie to lend ***her*** car, but you’re not taking responsibility for giving someone with no license permission to use your car.
Sounds like auntie needs to start acting like a mom and take care of her own child’s needs. But I assume that’s also the reason cousin is staying with your family…
Not sure how insurance is where you live, but where I live that can screw you over big time. If she is caught driving your car without a licence, it could void your insurance, especially since she lives at the same house with you currently. There is no way to prove you are not ok with it, that you didn’t know and that it’s not the only time it’s happened.
NTA. And if the family keeps giving you a hard time about it and supporting her, I would let them know that in order for you to protect yourself and everyone else, you will have to contact your insurance and potentially the police.