Leasing and conditional vehicle ownership

Leasing without a driver, with the option to purchase, is a form of vehicle use where a person or company uses a vehicle by paying a fee, with the possibility of becoming the owner at the end of the contract. In this case, the vehicle is registered in the name of the owner, typically the leasing company, but the registration document also includes the name of the user and the contract’s expiration date. This means that even though the user is not yet the owner, they are officially recognized as the person using the vehicle.

The vehicle is registered according to how the user intends to use it. For example, if it is used for transporting people or goods, the user must meet all legal requirements and hold the necessary authorizations for that activity. This ensures that the vehicle is used lawfully and appropriately.

In terms of liability, the user of a leased vehicle is jointly responsible with the driver for any damage caused to people or property. This means that even without ownership, the user is legally responsible for how the vehicle is used.

In the case of a sale with retention of ownership, the vehicle is registered in the buyer’s name, but the seller retains ownership until the full payment is completed. The registration document specifies the seller’s name and the date of the final payment. This clarifies the legal status of the vehicle during the installment period.

Finally, regarding administrative violations, both the leasing user and the buyer under conditional ownership are considered responsible. This means that any fines or penalties related to the use of the vehicle are attributed to the person using it, even if they are not yet the full legal owner.