Updates on SD User Satyagrahi, and car-related question

In My Humble Opinion
1

Hello,

This is Mrs Satyagrahi. I would like to let you know that my husband passed away a few months ago. He was suddenly, and unexpectedly, diagnosed with brain cancer, which turned out to be inoperable as well as end-stage. After diagnosis, the decline was rapid. He did not even get the textbook 3-month survival rate for inoperable glioblastoma. It all happened so fast. We barely had time to mourn the life we would never share.

S and I were happy co-hermits. But now the prefix has fallen off and I’ve been struggling to decipher a world that is a big enigma to me without S. So I was wondering whether I could impose on you for some tips and advice regarding a car-related issue.

S and I co-owned our car. Both names on the title, but only he drove. A few weeks after he passed, the insurance expired. I couldn’t renew it as the sole owner of the vehicle because I didn’t have a driver’s license. I wish I could say that I had the inner strength to start driving lessons immediately. I didn’t. The first months were a blur of minimal functionality. In late January I managed to drag myself to the DMV, and obtained my instruction permit. By mid-February I was enrolled in driving school and started behind-the-wheel driver’s ed.

The challenges inherent in my situation can be broken down as follows:

a) Our car will remain uninsured until I obtain my driver’s license. Aside from the technical sequelae of a long-term stationary car (dead battery, deflated tires, and who knows what kinds of disintegration of various fluids and parts), I have no roadworthy car of my own that can lawfully be on the roadway for me to practice in, let alone take the driving test in.

b) My driving school does not provide a car for the students to take their test in. There are only two driving schools in my area, and they both have the same policy.

c) Aside from maintenance, there are also bureaucratic issues coming up within the next couple of months, namely emissions testing, as well as village sticker and registration renewal.

d) But it all boils down to the one issue of getting access to a car to take the test in. A kind neighbor offered, but he drives a pickup truck, which to me, a beginner learning to drive in a Toyota Corolla 2013, is a practical impossibility.

So, what do I do? I am considering placing an ad on Craig’s list, but with my luck, I fear I’ll get a serial killer in a huge SUV–although the prospect of a serial killer is not the scariest part of my life now.

And, should worse come to worst, what options are open to me if, say, our car is still uninsured/undrivable when the emissions test deadline is up? Is there a waiver of sorts for cases like mine?

Thank you all for your patience in reading this, and I apologize for imposing on you.

2

Dear Mrs. Satyagrahi,

Just a note to say thanks for your message, and we’re sorry to hear about your husband! I have no clue about the car question, but deepest sympathy to your family.

3

Sorry to hear of your loss.

Have you considered renting a car for the test?

4

Firstly, my deepest sympathies for your loss.

Concerning the bureaucratic issues, and what to do about the emissions test, we would need to know where you’re located. This may also have a bearing on the insurance options available to you.

5

Erk. I am sorry to hear of your husband’s passing.

Where do you live? Emissions testing shouldn’t be necessary for quite some time for a 2013 vehicle.

6

Where do YOU live? Most places that require emissions testing at all, require it yearly, regardless of make/model year. There’s nothing in the post to suggest it was a brand new car, anyway.

7

I doubt they’ll let you rent a car without a valid drivers’ license.

To the OP, it might be helpful to let us know what state you’re in, since rules for these things vary a lot. I’m thinking with the emissions test, if you’re in a state that does smog checks at mechanic shops (instead of state-run facilities) you may be able to call around and find a mechanic who’s willing to pick your car up, run the test and bring it back. If worst comes to worse you could even just have it towed to the shop. That said, if the car is just going to be sitting, there probably won’t be any long-term problems with letting the registration lapse until you can get your license. They’ll probably charge you for the back registration, but at least in the states I’m familiar with there shouldn’t be any further penalties.

As for the practice/test car and the insurance issues, one way around it would be to see if a family member or friend could temporarilly add you and your car to your insurance. Some insurance companies will balk at adding a car that isn’t owned by one of the policyholders and the whole student driver thing could complicate everyhing, so make sure it’s clear what you’re doing.

For that matter, if you had a good relationship with the old insurance company (and it wasn’t just one of the big online outfits), talking to them might be a good first step. They might be able to work something out for you, especially if it means keeping you as a customer.

Good luck with this and all the other challenges you’re facing.

8

sorry about your spouse.

expand out to friend of a friend of a friend to find someone with a car similar in size to the driving school car to take your test in. don’t do Craig’s list.

if you can’t find a car then a friend driver might get a rental in their name and take you for the test. or practice enough in a friend’s different sized car/truck enough to take the test in that car/truck.

it will depend on where you are but emissions can’t be done on a nonworking vehicle, nor would it be required for a nonworking vehicle, when it runs then get it tested. the registration could likely be done without the vehicle working.

9

I know you will not be able to rent a car without a license and anyone who rented one would probably be in trouble with their insurance company in the event.
Anyway i also forward sympathy to you in your loss and struggle.
You don’t list where you are from and i understand that.
How about a support group in your area? Think Grief support, Church, etc.
The very best of wishes to you in finding help.
As for the car,
You don’t need a license to start it up on occasion to charge up the battery, but a battery charger/conditioner will do this also.
How long has it been since it was driven? The fuel gets old fast, depending on your location again also.
Ethanol may only last 3-4 months and then it is not going to burn. The right kind of fuel stabilizer will help extend the life of fuel and there are Bio additives to revive old gas but they will not preform miracles. Tires should be protected from UV and they should be moved occasionally. THEY DO NOT MAKE tires like THEY used to! tires don’t last long! Although there are tires on a 1929 Model A Ford fire truck that we use for Parades that are original and are aired up every spring, but this unit is stored inside (not heated) and in the last 10-12 years all tubes have failed but tires look great with no signs of deterioration.
Your oils are for the most part fairly stable. Additives will settle out and if it has been several years they should be changed.
Coolant, if acidic will do damage to everything and its an easy test to make.

10

Florida. We don’t have any kind of testing at all but I was under the impression that post-consumer emissions testing wasn’t done until 3ish years in. Also:

[QUOTE=OP]
…learning to drive in a Toyota Corolla 2013…
[/QUOTE]

11

I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Satyagrahi.

12

Sorry for your loss.

Since this thread covers two somewhat different subjects, I have copied an edited version of the OP to MPSIMS where condolences can be expressed.

Car advice is best suited to IMHO, so I’m moving the original thread there.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator

13

Right. OP is learning to drive on a corolla 2013, owned by her driving school. Her driving school has told her she cannot use their car for the test (that sucks!). Her car is inoperable at the moment, we don’t know what it is as far as make, model, etc.

Ps total face palm over the fact you can’t rent a car without a license. Sorry, OP, that was a boneheaded suggestion.

14

I think that refers to her own car, since they won’t let her use a car for the test.

15

My suggestion would be to bend on this. Driving a truck is certainly different than driving a Corolla, but 's not like speaking German to a Canadian. Take the kindly neighbor up on his offer and impose on him to let you practice 2 or 3 times prior. Potentially a lot to ask depending on your relationship with him, but it’s by far the easiest path to a solution.

Keep in mind that the DMV is pretty flexible when it come to testing, it’s unlikely that you’ll fail short of a harrowing experience for the tester. Most people fail the written, not the practical. If you can maneuver the truck for 30 minutes without getting up on the sidewalk, you’ll be free and clear afterwards.

Best of luck to you. I’m sure this is a challenging time for you personally, but I think you should be willing to reach out to friends, family and neighbors more now. It’ll be a change for a self-confessed hermit, but it’s really the most pragmatic solution.

16

First of all, I am so grateful for all the responses.

Kimstu, thank you so much for the kind words and condolences.

Hello Again, without a valid Driver’s License, I cannot rent a car. I also called several ‘name’ insurance companies and they won’t issue any insurance policy to me without a DL. I only have an instruction permit, which, if I had any first-degree relatives in the US, would help me get included in their car insurance policy. I am in a kind of Catch-22 situation here: No insurance (hence no use of my car) without DL, but no DL without a car either.

The Toyota Corolla is the driving school vehicle I am learning to drive in, but they won’t provide it for the DL test. Our/my car is a 2003 Pontiac Vibe and up for an emissions test this summer. I found the notice in the mail today.

MikeS, my bad. I am located in La Grange Park, IL. Cook County. I should’ve mentioned my location right away. My brain power seems to be one of several collateral losses brought about by S’s passing.

GreasyJack, the emissions test will have to take place in a state-run testing facility. Dead end there. I am originally from Europe, and all that is left of my family is there. I spoke to the old insurance company very soon after S’s death, and all they had to say was, Nothing we can do, get your DL asap. Easier said than done, but that is the way it is. Got the same feedback from other insurance companies too, but at least with more courtesy.

johnpost, I am so leery of Craig’s list, but I have run out of options. The neighbor who offered his truck expects me to drive it for the DL test. I am not on such terms with anyone as to expect them to invest time in having me practice. It is all part and parcel of the hermit thing. Essentially, S was my one and only buddy on this side of the Atlantic.

Gbro, thank you for your kindness. Last time the car was driven daily was in July 2012. My brother was visiting from Europe shortly after S died, and he drove me about to take care of some of the death paperwork and chores. Then our landlord drove it just across the street, where it stayed parked for a couple days, while the apartment building parking lot was being repaved. Since then–it was late September 2012, I believe–it has been parked in our allotted space in the bldg parking lot. I wish I knew the basics about car maintenance… I wish I had someone to teach me. Oh, well.

Gary “Wombat” Robson, thank you so very much.

Colibri, thank you for your condolences and for taking care of the thread.

Again, thank you all so much for your responses. I used to be a coherent, sharp person, and now I cannot even structure a simple message right. For that, and for the resulting ambiguities, I do apologize, and also for taking so long to answer, but I had errands to run and had to hoof it there and back.

17

Omniscient, no family or friends here. The neighbor offered kindly, but he also assumes that he will drop me off at the DMV, I will drive round the block with the DMV person, ace the test, and then he drives me back home. As far as I know, he works nights and also has a second job, part-time, so either he is not available, or he is catching up on sleep. So it is awkward as it is, and double-plus so for me. If it comes to that, I’ll approach him. Your advice makes sense. It’s just that the little Toyota is enough of a challenge for me now… The idea of maneuvering that behemoth of a truck is very intimidating to me.

18

if you have to resort to strangers then you might try approaching a church or a food or clothing pantry. there are often kind people in those places and you might find someone to help.

don’t take the test in a vehicle you haven’t practiced in, or in a similar style/model/size, if you can avoid it.

also try to get some practice in the area where the DMV gives the tests, so you will know the streets and their traffic flow and volume. that would be a great aid if you can.

19

You might want to check with your state patrol office to see if they know of a waiver or option for people who can’t obtain insurance (for whatever reason).

Also, if you’re old enough to qualify as a senior, I’ll bet your state or county has a program for people who’ve suddenly lost the spouse they’ve relied on for stuff like that for many many years. I know that’s a very common problem for people of a certain age.

20

Im sending you a pm. I will meet you at the dmv and use my car 1996 honda accord to take the test. Unfortunately my next day off work is next friday the 18th. Im in the city by Lawrence and Central, getting to you wont be difficult