Would this be considered as joyriding?

Question

I went around some dealerships asking if I could test drive some cars (they were used, I wouldn't have done it if it was brand new) because I wanted to expand my knowledge about cars in general and I felt that the only way to achieve that was by taking them for a test drive and the dealerships actually allowed me to, thankfully. Ive been told, though, that this is considered joyriding. Is that true? Because I have no other way of learning more about cars other than to actually get a chance to drive them. Btw please don't hate on me, I just want to know the truth.

? · Accepted Answer

I don't believe your story. You would have to be licensed and insured to test a car at a dealer, so if you ARE, why don't you already OWN a car, or at least drive your parents car?

Oh, and simply driving a used car isn't going to " expand my knowledge about cars". You need to take 'em apart, rebuild 'em, assemble 'em, massage 'em, buy-and-sell 'em if you want to learn.

Mike · Answer

TRUTH ? You said it yourself: your motive to test drive was never to own or buy a car from them. If you were the dealership manager and a person came to you and asked to "drive a car only to see how it runs", what would you say to such a person ? OF COURSE IT IS JOYRIDING, and you set yourself up for legal action if you get into an accident with NO INTENTION of ever buying from them.

Scott H · Answer

Test rides are for serious buyers, not for one's personal enjoyment or to educate one's self about various cars.

Would this be considered as joyriding?

3 Answers