Location Transport

Is it legal to drive my friends car if he is too drunk to drive?

Ok, so i was at a party last night with some friends and our driver had gotten drunk too then was driving but i told him to pull over, we sat there for a hour or so hoping he could sober up some, cause we all just wanted to go home by that point (like 3 am), so i eventually said because i wasnt drinking~ and i can get my g2 whenver but the Ministry of Transportation people are on stirke so i cant book my g2 test until they are not on strike anymore, if a cop had caught me driving sober, with my g1 and Driving school completled and knowing im doing a good thing for my friend by not letting him drive, would i loose my lisence or get a fine of any sort? please awnser i want to know incase ever in that situation again. im a good driver.

Public Comments

1. As noble as what you were doing is, it is still illegal and your license will likely have been suspended. If you get in this situation again before the testers return to work, you should stay on the side of the road.
2. IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE PROPER LICENCE STATUS WETHER IT WAS AN EMERGENCY OR NOT... I GIVE U PROPS FOR CARING AND NOT LETTING UR DRUNK FRIEND DRIVE BUT IDK IF THE OFFICER WOULD CUT U SLACK DUE TO THAT
3. No matter what the circumstances are, if you do not have a valid drivers license and are caught driving, you will be ticketed and fined. I commend you for not wanting your friend to drink & drive, but if this happens again, just take a taxi. No one wants drunk drivers on the road, ever.
4. I have to disagree with the first three answers. Yes, what you did is illegal and you would be liable for charges. However, and I'm sure most of the real LEO's on here will agree with me, depending on all the circumstances the officer will likely use common sense and see that your decision was likely the best one. A car stopped at the side of the road, especially at 3:00 am, could mean real danger to the occupants ... someone running off the road and hitting the car, real weirdos (there are a few out there) stopping to rob you, etc. The drunk driver getting impatient and insisting on driving and you all getting into an accident or killing others, etc. My choice would be (a) depending how much further you had to go telling you to drive and I would follow you, (b) calling a tow truck or someone in your or one of the other folks family to drive, (c) calling a taxi to get you all home and the owner can pick up the car later that day. At 3:00 am experienced officers do what has to be done and no-one has to know about it as long as a drunk driver is not on the road. Give you a ticket? Possible, but not likely ... you were caught between a rock and a hard-place and made a mature reasonable decision. HOWEVER I would not be doing you a favour without telling you some of the bad points. If you are not a legally licenced driver the car insurance would be invalid and you know what that could mean. If you got into an accident even if it were not your fault you could be sued by anyone and everyone. Hard choice you have to make, but the best time to make that choice is before the key is put in the ignition. No lecture, but you are responsible for making good decisions for your sake and others. I honestly can say that I investigated a fatal accident under the exact circumstances you describe. The good samaritan driver and the drunk in the passenger seat both died instantly because THEY were broadsided by a drunk driver. Ironic, isn't it?