BAKU, Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan’s traffic police have warned car rental companies against handing vehicles to unlicensed drivers after advertisements appeared on social media offering rentals without a driver’s license or prior driving experience.
Some offers advertise cars from 80 manats, or about $47, and say customers need only be at least 18. Rentals are offered by the day, week or month. In some cases, companies reportedly use a short test drive to assess a customer’s skills.
A test drive, however, does not replace the legal authority to drive. Article 33 of Azerbaijan’s Law on Road Traffic requires a driver to hold a valid license for the appropriate vehicle category. Reaching age 18 is not sufficient by itself, and the license must not be expired, restricted or suspended.
The Main State Traffic Police Department urged rental companies to check each customer’s license category, expiration date and driving experience before releasing a vehicle. Police said road safety must take priority over commercial convenience and that measures are being taken in response to the practice.
Legal and Safety Risks
Driving without the required license can lead to penalties under Article 332 of Azerbaijan’s Code of Administrative Offenses. Depending on the circumstances and the consequences of an incident, the case can become more serious. The company or vehicle owner that knowingly provides a car to an unlicensed driver may also face responsibility.
Authorities stressed that limited experience is not the same as having no license. A licensed novice driver may legally operate a vehicle subject to applicable rules, while an unlicensed person has no right to drive on public roads.
If an unlicensed renter causes a crash, administrative and civil liability may apply, and criminal liability is possible when people are injured or the consequences are severe. Insurance coverage, the rental contract and compensation for damage can also become disputed. The driver remains responsible for the violation, while the owner’s or rental company’s liability depends on the facts of the case.
The practice also creates direct risks for passengers, pedestrians and other road users, police said.
Source: Vesti Baku. Watch the related video report.