Aimee’s Advice:
No matter whose car it is, if you’re the one driving, you’re the one getting the ticket. In both Missouri and Kansas, traffic tickets follow the driver, not the vehicle. That means the speeding citation, and any points on a license or fines that come with it, are yours alone to deal with.
The owner of the car won’t be penalized unless they knowingly let someone drive who shouldn’t have been behind the wheel (say, if your license is suspended). Otherwise, it’s your name on the line even if the car isn’t.
Pro tip: If the ticket was for something like expired tags or a broken taillight, that could fall on the car owner instead but when it’s about how the car was driven (speeding, running a red light, etc.), the driver is responsible every time.
What if I get pulled over in someone else’s car and I don’t have insurance?
This one’s a little murkier. First, let’s clear something up: In both Kansas and Missouri, the law requires that the vehicle, not necessarily the driver be insured. So technically, you don’t need your own car insurance policy to drive someone else’s car. But the car does need to be insured.
If you’re pulled over and the car isn’t insured, even if it’s not yours, you could still be cited, especially if you can’t show proof of insurance at the time. In Missouri, that could mean fines, points on your license, and a possible license suspension. Kansas has similar penalties and may even impound the vehicle in some cases.
And here’s something most people miss: If the car is insured but you’re not listed on the policy, the insurance might not cover you in the event of an accident. It depends on the policy and the relationship. Some policies cover “permissive use” (like if a friend lets you borrow their car), but others don’t.
So, what’s the safest route?
Before driving someone else’s car:
- Ask, “Is this car insured?”
- Know if you’re covered under their policy.
- Avoid driving it if you’re unlicensed or have a suspended license—that can land both of you in legal trouble.
Just because the car isn’t yours doesn’t mean you’re not responsible. If you're behind the wheel, the law sees you as fully accountable.
