CACI No. VF-701. Motor Vehicle Owner Liability - Permissive Use of Vehicle - Affirmative Defense - Use Beyond Scope of Permission
Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions (2025 edition)
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VF-701.Motor Vehicle Owner Liability - Permissive Use of
Vehicle - Affirmative Defense - Use Beyond Scope of Permission
We answer the questions submitted to us as follows:
1. Was [name of defendant] an owner of the vehicle at the time of the
injury to [name of plaintiff]?
1. Yes No
1. If your answer to question 1 is yes, then answer question 2. If you
answered no, stop here, answer no further questions, and have
the presiding juror sign and date this form.
2. Did [name of defendant], by words or conduct, give permission to
[name of driver] to use the vehicle?
2. Yes No
2. If your answer to question 2 is yes, then answer question 3. If you
answered no, stop here, answer no further questions, and have
the presiding juror sign and date this form.
3. Was [name of defendant]’s permission to use the vehicle given for
a limited time, place, or purpose?
3. Yes No
3. If your answer to question 3 is yes, then answer question 4. If you
answered no, stop here, answer no further questions, and have
the presiding juror sign and date this form.
4. Did [name of driver]’s use of the vehicle substantially violate the
limitations as to time, place, or purpose?
4. Yes No
Signed: Presiding Juror
Dated:
After [this verdict form has/all verdict forms have] been signed, notify
the [clerk/bailiff/court attendant].
New September 2003; Revised December 2010, May 2024
Directions for Use
This is for use in conjunction with the general negligence verdict forms involving
motor vehicles. The four questions here should be incorporated into the verdict form
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regarding the underlying case. The special verdict forms in this section are intended
only as models. They may need to be modified depending on the facts of the case.
This verdict form is based on CACI No. 720, Motor Vehicle Owner
Liability - Permissive Use of Vehicle, and CACI No. 721, Motor Vehicle Owner
Liability - Affırmative Defense - Use Beyond Scope of Permission.
If there are multiple causes of action, users may wish to combine the individual
forms into one form. If different damages are recoverable on different causes of
action, replace the damages tables in all of the verdict forms with CACI No. VF-
3920, Damages on Multiple Legal Theories.
VF-701 MOTOR VEHICLES AND HIGHWAY SAFETY
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