Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name

sushantk · 25th October 2021, 11:05

Greeting BHPians,

My car was bought in name of my wife as the car company had significant corporate discounts for select companies and my wife is an employee with one of them. However, I drive the car all the time.

I am not very comfortable with this arrangement. There is possibility of car getting involved in some unfortunate accidents or traffic/legal issues and usually car owner will be have to available in such matters. This will be unnecessary inconvenience and hassle to my wife.

I have been thinking of transferring the ownership to me. The only drawback is that RC will show up me as the second owner of the car and future resale value will be impacted. However, I am not much concerned about this as I am going to keep the car for long time (7-8 years +).

Am I being paranoid here? If I am the owner (and I am the the driver anyway), my wife could be fully out of the matter.

I am very much inclined to change the ownership but would like to hear your experiences and view on this matter. Thank you !

hserus · 25th October 2021, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushantk

I have been thinking of transferring the ownership to me. The only drawback is that RC will show up me as the second owner of the car and future resale value will be impacted. However, I am not much concerned about this as I am going to keep the car for long time (7-8 years +).

I did this and kept the car a long time, so that the cost difference of first vs second owner sale wasn't much. Go ahead. List the sale price as one rupee or something and transfer that money to her account.

Sahil · 25th October 2021, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushantk

Am I being paranoid here? If I am the owner (and I am the the driver anyway), my wife could be fully out of the matter.

Yes you are. If this is how most thought then cars would be bought in chauffeur names

normaltusker · 25th October 2021, 15:58

I don't see an issue with this arrangement. We owned 2 cars until a few weeks back - i10 registered in my name and Creta - registered in my wife's name. The i10 was predominantly driven by her, while I always drove the Creta. You will not have any issues in case of an unforseen incident also since our law makers allow the women folk to be represented by the men of the house - her father, brother, husband etc.
Do not devalue your car by transferring it in your namẹ

ninjatalli · 25th October 2021, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushantk

Am I being paranoid here? If I am the owner (and I am the the driver anyway), my wife could be fully out of the matter.

To an extent, yes. My car is on my wife's name. My previous car (on my name) was used by my better half for several years (while I was overseas). No issues faced ever till date - even when we had to get insurance claims and other matters.

It's hardly a big deal given how the current industry around automobiles work. Insurance claims and the affairs are usually okay between family members - I have had (and have the knowledge of similar cases in my network) the experiences of accident(s) within the family where the owner wasn't the driver and post-accident processes went just fine.

Insurance renewals, service maintenance and all vehicle related aspects get handled completely fine if you are able to provide the necessary documentation and some close relationship with the owner if asked.

My suggestion - just continue with the current setup.

ani_meher · 25th October 2021, 16:46

I think this is unnecessary paranoia. If the car would in in someone else's name, that would be ok to consider transfer of ownership. But changing it from your wife's name fearing just in case something happens by your hands is unnecessary drama. Legally too, you are in the clear for driving wife's car.

For minor matters, car owner need not be present. Only driving license of the driver is sufficient. Only for severe insurance claims, the owner may come into picture.

subraiyr · 25th October 2021, 16:56

I have the car in my Wife's name or should i say it is her car and i am just the driver. We have had it for the last 10 years now and for our next car this would be the same arrangement. This should not be a problem unless you attempt to do a "footpath drive". Then there is always a challenge. But for minor incidents, the driver is liable for penalty while the owner is liable for insurance. I don't think you need to be bothered too much about it as it is all within the family unless of course the family gets disbanded
Pardon my cheekiness, but today has been one of those weird Mondays

aargee · 25th October 2021, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushantk

Am I being paranoid here? If I am the owner (and I am the the driver anyway), my wife could be fully out of the matter

Cool boss!! all evidences are captured right at the scene of incident; so whoever is driving the car at the scene of any mishap is responsible for it. Yes the owner might be called to verify if the car was driven with their consent or not, nothing more than that.

Let me give you another scenario for sleepless night

Car stolen at midnight, gets involved in fatal human injury & burglar escapes, you've to run between post & pillar to prove that the car was stolen just because the FIR wasn't filed stating the car was stolen.

PS - Somehow I'm reminded of this scene from Shawshank Redemption

Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name-p1.jpg

Raghu M · 25th October 2021, 18:12

You are a little too worried about it. You don't have to be worried about any legal issues. There wouldn't be any in case of an accident. The car should have insurance, that will take care of most of the issues. The driver of the car is held accountable for any untoward incidents. You can keep the car on her name, nothing that is a cause of worry.

DDIS_RE650 · 25th October 2021, 18:29

In my case, my car is registered in my wife name and she does not have LMV license. I was able to claim insurance 4 time with my DL,RC and insurance so far and no issue so far.
She had to only put signature and share valid ID proof.

IshaanIan · 25th October 2021, 20:06

Can't you just designate yourself as a legal driver of the car with the insurance policy itself? I am sure that would allow yourself to tackle whatever legal issues you foresee.

sushantk · 25th October 2021, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Can't you just designate yourself as a legal driver of the car with the insurance policy itself?

I am not aware if any such thing exists. I will do some research and check with insurer too.

GTO · 26th October 2021, 08:08

You are definitely overthinking it. All of us have driven cars registered in our immediate family member's names, whether its parents, spouse or sibling. As long as it's a family member, don't sweat over it. However, it would definitely be concerning if the car was registered in the name of a cousin, friend or previous owner (very common in the used car world).

P.S. If anything, it is your wife who should be concerned, not you

. Very noble of you.

SS-Traveller · 26th October 2021, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushantk

I have been thinking of transferring the ownership to me. The only drawback is...
...
Am I being paranoid here?
I am very much inclined to change the ownership but would like to hear your experiences and view on this matter. Thank you !

Potential separation / divorce may be a good reason to transfer the ownership to yourself - what if your wife walks out on you WITH the car, and you being left car-less, cannot chase after her to placate her and convince her to return?

Do you have matrimonial discords very often? Does your wife hate your guts? Do you love your car more than you love your wife? Are you planning to keep the car for a longer term than you plan to remain married? If you've answered 'yes' to a majority of these questions, go ahead and transfer the car to your name.

FHW · 26th October 2021, 10:23

IMO it is not an issue if the car you drive is registered in the name of family.

However if,

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

If you've answered 'yes' to a majority of these questions, go ahead and transfer the car to your name.

then definitely you shouldn't transfer it. The car will keep you both together.

25th October 2021, 11:05	#1
sushantk BHPian Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 41 Thanked: 167 Times	Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name Greeting BHPians, My car was bought in name of my wife as the car company had significant corporate discounts for select companies and my wife is an employee with one of them. However, I drive the car all the time. I am not very comfortable with this arrangement. There is possibility of car getting involved in some unfortunate accidents or traffic/legal issues and usually car owner will be have to available in such matters. This will be unnecessary inconvenience and hassle to my wife. I have been thinking of transferring the ownership to me. The only drawback is that RC will show up me as the second owner of the car and future resale value will be impacted. However, I am not much concerned about this as I am going to keep the car for long time (7-8 years +). Am I being paranoid here? If I am the owner (and I am the the driver anyway), my wife could be fully out of the matter. I am very much inclined to change the ownership but would like to hear your experiences and view on this matter. Thank you !
	(22) Thanks

25th October 2021, 15:58	#4
normaltusker BHPian Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 142 Thanked: 299 Times	re: Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name I don't see an issue with this arrangement. We owned 2 cars until a few weeks back - i10 registered in my name and Creta - registered in my wife's name. The i10 was predominantly driven by her, while I always drove the Creta. You will not have any issues in case of an unforseen incident also since our law makers allow the women folk to be represented by the men of the house - her father, brother, husband etc. Do not devalue your car by transferring it in your namẹ
	(17) Thanks

25th October 2021, 16:46	#6
ani_meher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 1,931 Thanked: 3,825 Times	re: Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name I think this is unnecessary paranoia. If the car would in in someone else's name, that would be ok to consider transfer of ownership. But changing it from your wife's name fearing just in case something happens by your hands is unnecessary drama. Legally too, you are in the clear for driving wife's car. For minor matters, car owner need not be present. Only driving license of the driver is sufficient. Only for severe insurance claims, the owner may come into picture.
	(6) Thanks

25th October 2021, 16:56	#7
subraiyr BHPian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bangalore Posts: 216 Thanked: 1,140 Times View My Garage	re: Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name I have the car in my Wife's name or should i say it is her car and i am just the driver. We have had it for the last 10 years now and for our next car this would be the same arrangement. This should not be a problem unless you attempt to do a "footpath drive". Then there is always a challenge. But for minor incidents, the driver is liable for penalty while the owner is liable for insurance. I don't think you need to be bothered too much about it as it is all within the family unless of course the family gets disbanded Pardon my cheekiness, but today has been one of those weird Mondays
	(11) Thanks

25th October 2021, 18:12	#9
Raghu M Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Hyderbad Posts: 1,004 Thanked: 3,525 Times	re: Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name You are a little too worried about it. You don't have to be worried about any legal issues. There wouldn't be any in case of an accident. The car should have insurance, that will take care of most of the issues. The driver of the car is held accountable for any untoward incidents. You can keep the car on her name, nothing that is a cause of worry.
	(1) Thanks

25th October 2021, 18:29	#10
DDIS_RE650 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Patna Posts: 117 Thanked: 312 Times	re: Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name In my case, my car is registered in my wife name and she does not have LMV license. I was able to claim insurance 4 time with my DL,RC and insurance so far and no issue so far. She had to only put signature and share valid ID proof.
	(8) Thanks

25th October 2021, 20:06	#11
IshaanIan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Hyd Posts: 3,556 Thanked: 7,045 Times View My Garage	re: Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name Can't you just designate yourself as a legal driver of the car with the insurance policy itself? I am sure that would allow yourself to tackle whatever legal issues you foresee.
	(7) Thanks

26th October 2021, 08:08	#13
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,497 Thanked: 300,309 Times View My Garage	Re: Concerned about driving a car registered in my wife's name You are definitely overthinking it. All of us have driven cars registered in our immediate family member's names, whether its parents, spouse or sibling. As long as it's a family member, don't sweat over it. However, it would definitely be concerning if the car was registered in the name of a cousin, friend or previous owner (very common in the used car world). P.S. If anything, it is your wife who should be concerned, not you . Very noble of you.
	(35) Thanks