Is Company or Driver Liable for Ticket?

[lpt3]

What is the name of your state? Texas
My son worked at a dry cleaning company that required him to occasionally drive the company vans from one store to another. While doing so one day, he was stopped by a police officer who issued him two traffic citations; one for expired registration and another for no proof of insurance. Both of these are regulatory violations for which it would seem the company should take responsibility. So far, his former supervisors have told him that he will have to pay the tickets (about $300.00). Is the company liable or will this end up in a small claims court to recover the cost of the tickets to my son?

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? Texas
My son worked at a dry cleaning company that required him to occasionally drive the company vans from one store to another. While doing so one day, he was stopped by a police officer who issued him two traffic citations; one for expired registration and another for no proof of insurance. Both of these are regulatory violations for which it would seem the company should take responsibility. So far, his former supervisors have told him that he will have to pay the tickets (about $300.00). Is the company liable or will this end up in a small claims court to recover the cost of the tickets to my son?

**A: the company is tryng to take him to the cleaners.

 

[Beth3]

I think they are too. But the sticky-wicket issue (that I can't answer) is who is responsible for ensuring the registration is up-to-date and proof of insurance is on hand - the driver or the vehicle owner???

I'm guessing that it's the driver's responsibility to make sure of those things before getting behind the wheel and hitting the road. If that's the case however, it still stinks for the company to hold an employee responsible for the citations.

 

[lpt3]

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. I feel I owe you an update:

After proving to the court that both the company and my son had insurance, the insurance ticket was dismissed. The manager / owner continued to ignore my son regarding reimbursement for the expired registration so old dad had to get involved. After an in person heart to heart discussion with the owner, he agreed to take up the issue with “corporate”. A week later I received a $140.00 check from them.

Thanks again.

 

[JETX]

I am glad that this worked out for you.... however, I thought I would let you know the LEGAL answer to your questions.....

1) Insurance: The owner of the vehicle in Texas is required to insure the vehicle. In this case, since the vehicle was insured (and the driver also was insured), the court dismissed the ticket. In the future.... the driver should make sure that there is valid proof of insurance at the time before driving.

2) Inspection: The driver of the vehicle is obligated to verify that the vehicle has proper, valid inspection BEFORE driving the vehicle and should refuse to drive if without a valid inspection. In the event the driver fails to check... the driver is liable for any ticket. Of course, in this case, the driver can ask the company to reimburse the non-moving violation.... but there would be no obligation to do so.