Originally Posted by
FBinNY
I don’t know what state you're in, and what those laws are, but I doubt a cop would knowingly allow an unlicensed driver drive off. That would create serious legal liability for his employers, ie. the city, county or state. Knowingly allowing someone to drive illegally makes one, cop or citizen, guilty of aiding and abetting the violation.
Here in NYS, an uninsured or unregistered car or a non-legal driver, is a MUST TOW situation, whether the driver is arrested or not. The exception is if there's someone, ie. a passenger, who can legally drive the car away.
California, and yes my wife said her jaw dropped when the cop let the guy drive away. Liability for any further incidents was also on my mind. We had to use our uninsured motorist coverage, and even the insurance company seemed to imply it wasn't worth their while going after this guy for anything.