People just love to borrow things. And that’s ok to some degree, but is it too much to borrow something big like a car?
As far as you’re concerned, it’s not ok at all.
Are you selfish because you don’t want to lend a car to others? Absolutely not, because you know the potential bad scenarios that can happen, and you don’t want to take any chances.
Let’s imagine a situation: You lend a car to your best friend because he needs it.
He returns your car later than agreed.
The car is dirty, runs poorly, and you notice a few scratches. Those scratches are, of course, not your friend’s fault. They were there before. Yeah right.
Because of these scenarios, you don’t want others to drive your car.
In this article, we will explain better why you should not lend a car to others, support your decision, and name a few exceptions.
You Don’t Want Others to Drive Your Car? 5 Potential Reasons
Do your family and friends sometimes call you selfish because you don’t let others drive your car?
We are sure that you have solid reasons for that, which can be:
1. You Have Had Bad Experiences in The Past
Let’s say you’ve given your car to others to drive before, and it didn’t end well.
We hope nothing serious happened to the person driving the car.
You were annoyed that the car was returned to you dirty inside and out, everything was messed up, and it seemed to you that the gear shifter was a little out of whack.
One unwritten rule is: “When you borrow someone’s car, fill up the tank as a way of saying thank you.”
The someone driving your car did not. Actually, your vehicle was returned with the low fuel light on.
Why would you borrow again if any of these things happened to you?
You learned from that experience, and you don’t want to do it again.
These are all clear signs of disrespect for your car and you.
Ok, not everyone is the same, and not everyone would return your car in that condition, but you don’t want to take any chances.
As for you, you have learned your lesson about letting others drive your car.
2. You Don’t Trust Other Enough
Your mistrust is not only related to the driving of others but also to their behavior in general.
From the attitude of someone towards their car or how they behave in traffic, we can assume a lot about that person.
And it can be the opposite. People who are reckless in life are also very likely to be careless in driving.
You are not a person who doesn’t trust anyone, but when someone proves to you repeatedly that he is irresponsible, why even bother?
If you know someone is irresponsible, just don’t let them drive your car.
Potential situations with people close to you:
You Don’t Want Your Friend to Drive Your Car?
A friend asks you to give him your car for a ride.
That would be fine, but you know how he drives.
Driving in his car is stressful because he drives like a maniac. Now imagine that he drives your car like that.
You love your car too much and don’t want that stress.
When the drawer in his car is opened, fines for speeding, illegal parking, and not wearing a seat belt fall everywhere.
No need to emphasize how justified your decision is if your friend has a history of drunk driving.
Or if he is involved in criminal activity, your car will be in the police records.
Not every violation someone else causes with your car goes on your driving record, but you don’t want to risk it and think about it later.
You Don’t Want Your Wife to Drive Your Car?
Although this sounds selfish, there must be a reason.
Maybe she drives too fast, or she is too anxious while driving.
You’ve already had some arguments about it, and you’ve concluded that it’s better if she doesn’t drive your car, no matter how angry she is about it.
You Don’t Want Your Son to Drive Your Car?
If your son isn’t one of those, who pass driving lessons but don’t drive after that.
You gave him a beginner’s car, but he wants to drive yours, which is still for slightly more experienced drivers.
Of course, you won’t let him do that until he’s practiced his skills on a rookie car.
He might call you a bad father because of that, but you’re doing it for his own good.
3. You Don’t Let Others Drive Your Car Because of Insurance
When you negotiate your car insurance with an insurance company, the agent asks you two questions: “Who lives with you?” and “Who will drive the car”?
These are not unnecessary questions. The insurance agent asks you for an apparent reason.
Car insurance usually follows the car and not the person driving.
However, deviations from this are possible if a severe accident occurs.
Most people don’t pay attention to this and think their insurance will pay out even if someone else causes damage while driving their car.
And that doesn’t have to be the case at all.
Luckily you know that, and that’s why you don’t want to pay for the damage someone else does while driving your car. Smart thinking.
4. You Are a Big Car Enthusiast
Cars are necessary for most people, and they cannot imagine life without them.
Everyone loves their car more or less, but you are in a different category than that.
You don’t just love your car. You adore them.
Cars have always been your hobby.
You must be the one who watched all the episodes of “Pimp My Ride.”
There is always something you want to upgrade in your car.
Your car looks like a spaceship, and you are proud of that.
If you are engaged in some business related to cars, it can be said that you have turned your passion into a business, and that is always the best combination.
How can a car geek like you give his car to a driver who doesn’t share the same passion?
We won’t even talk about how much it would hurt you if something serious happened to your car.
Cars are now much more technologically advanced, and various settings help drivers improve their driving.
Imagine, as a car enthusiast as you are, that someone touches it and changes something.
Touching your car by someone other than you is out of the question.
5. Letting Others Drive Your Car is Too Stressful For You
You don’t even want to think about it.
All those possible situations, from someone spilling a drink all over your car to causing a severe traffic accident. It’s too stressful and tiring for you.
You don’t ask to drive other people’s cars, so you don’t give away yours either.
Everyone can be angry with you as much as they want, but you stand by your position.
You immediately make it clear at the start that you do not lend the car to others.
Maybe you don’t like driving because you see all the bad scenarios, so you don’t let others drive your car either.
After all, you know how much you had to work to earn that car you now own.
You don’t want anyone to jeopardize that.
In What Cases Can You Possibly Make an Exception?
Are there any exceptions to when you should let someone else drive your precious car?
The only mandatory exception would be when some emergency happens.
We think you should not worry about your car but about helping others, even if someone else has to drive because you are prevented.
As for the other exceptions, it’s really up to you.
What kind of person should you be able to lend a car to:
- A responsible driver whose abilities you have convinced yourself of. Who does not commit violations, respects restrictions, and does not collect parking tickets.
- A responsible person in general who will cover the potential damage and will not put you in an awkward position. The one you trust in other aspects besides driving.
The responsibility of the person you lend the car to is crucial.
Responsibility in traffic but also in life.
It’s not wrong to do someone a favor once in a while if you know they’ll appreciate it.
Maybe you, too, will need someone else’s car someday for something urgent.
To Wrap it All Up,
We respect your decision not to lend a car to everyone.
And you are absolutely right.
The potential situations that can occur can be unpleasant but also very serious.
We are not saying that you should never lend a car to others. In some situations, an exception should be made.
In any case, we believe in you as a responsible person who will know when to let others drive your car and when not to.