Do dealerships need to copy your id for test drives

tom1965 · July 2017

I've been test driving vehicles recently and the deAlerships always make a copy of my drivers license. After researching online, they said its used to obtain copies of my credit report, although you need ones permission which I haven't given nor have I seen inquires.

Question is, do they need to make a copy of my drivers license for a test drive and why?

tom1965 · July 2017

Also I feel it's with different dealerships, I don't recall giving Id for mercedes or bmw but Honda, Lexus, infinity yes

kyfdx · July 2017

For insurance purposes.

They shouldn't run your credit without your permission, though.

tom1965 · July 2017

So it is normal for them to make a copy for "insurance purposes?"

Reading online again no evidence of factual info they say it's for insurance purposes but don't need it for that. Just looking for more factual info that I know people on here test drive lots of vehicles and work in the auto business.

isellhondas · July 2017

Any smart dealer will take a copy of your Driver's License. First of all, they want to make sure you even have one. If foul play happens they will know who you are. On more than one occasion I made two copies and left one on my desk just "in case".

And, the "Insurance purposes" reason is valid too.

After I handed people's licenses back to them I would ask for their phone number and I would write it on the dr lic copy for follow up later.

The funniest one I remember happened in 1997 when the CRV's had just been introduced. They were red hot and
people actually lined up to drive the one demo we had. The salesperson told him " I need to make a quick copy of your Driver's License" The guy held it between his fingers and wagged it back and forth. " You can look at it but you can't copy it!" The salesperson then wagged the CRV keys back and forth and said " Here is the new CRV. You can look at it but you can't drive it!"

The customer stormed out of there....NEXT!

isellhondas · July 2017

Also, without a Social Security number they can't pull your credit!

tom1965 · July 2017

Here is an old posting but there's still current info in regards to this topic ,

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/09/car-dealers-can-use-your-drivers-license-to-access-your-credit-report/index.htm

isellhondas · July 2017

Even if this is possible I have to wonder why a store would do this? Makes no sense unless the customer is ready to buy and has filled out a credit application.

Mr_Shiftright · July 2017

According to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, the following requests are legitimate:

Per the consumer’s written request
To satisfy a federal court order or subpoena
A financial institution to process a credit application, such as an auto, mortgage or student loan
Utility companies when you apply for services
Prospective employers (only with the consumer’s consent)
An insurance underwriter that’s underwriting your policy
Governmental agencies to determine your eligibility for licensure or a government benefit
A legitimate business need that relates to a transaction initiated by the consumer, such as a potential investor or landlord
Current creditors to review an account to ensure terms are met or to initiate collection efforts
Child support enforcement to determine how much you can pay each month

Since a dealer is not in itself a "financial institution", and since you can read your own credit report and find out who made the inquiry, I think you could nail the dealer on this if they did it. What the consequences are, I don't know. BUT....read below....

Please note that creditors and insurance companies may also access your credit profile without your permission to determine your eligibility for prescreened offers. These are considered “soft inquiries” and do not impact your credit score.

source: Credit.com

isellhondas · July 2017

A lot of insurance companies insist on pulling credit reports for new customers. I guess this makes sense. If a person is a deadbeat they are liable to be high risk in other areas.

tom1965 · July 2017

Basically what I'm getting at, is it common for them to copy your id, do they actually have to do so?

Thank you for all responses

Michaell · July 2017

tom1965 said:

Basically what I'm getting at, is it common for them to copy your id, do they actually have to do so?

Thank you for all responses

Common? Yes

Have to do so? I think the jury is out on that question.

tom1965 · July 2017

I know you guys test drive lots of cars do they copy your id as well?

isellhondas · July 2017

It's not a hard and fast rule but any smart store will copy licenses.

Michaell · July 2017

I was with a friend yesterday who was test driving. We visited two stores - BMW and GMC. They took and copied his license at both places.

Do dealerships need to copy your id for test drives

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