Renting the Equipment for Refresher?

I've got a neighbor whom with his son both have Class A CDL's and have been out of the industry for about 10 years. Long enough to forget some of the technical skills involved with safe operation in a combo. When they asked me for advice, I suggested that they look into a refresher course with a school.

They know I have an additional "spare" truck and trailers that aren't in use at the moment, and asked if I would consider renting the equipment to them for $200/day plus they pay for fuel and their own insurance. They want to drive around and refresh, I guess.

I've watched them farm for 15 years, and they take good care of their farm equipment, so I'm not too worried about that, and with physical damage insurance on the truck, I'm not worried about that either. (Frankly, the truck needs a paint job so if they mashed it up.... nevermind, I won't go there).

Would this be a good opportunity to put some cash in my pocket or am I overlooking some major drawbacks to this deal? I'd road test them both first. They also want to use my truck yard (in an empty spot of the south 40) to practice backing (using pylons, etc.).

I'm in farm country and we have a ton of "backroads" where they could safely practice.

Thoughts?

 

The spare truck I keep farm plated so I don't have to pay $3k for commercial registration on something that sits in the yard, which also detaches liability from my authority, and CSA involvement. Don't even need a DOT number in this state under those circumstances.

Killing someone is my big worry- I don't want to unleash them if they're dangerous. They called progressive and are able to get insurance apparently, but I'd need proof beforehand of course.

 

It just dawned on me that maybe they want to haul something and aren't telling me. That changes the dynamic completely. I can't babysit em, so I probably should wave them off and push the school instead. The liability scares the crp out of me.

 

Yeah, even though it's a spare truck, I don't want it impounded! Plus where will they get refreshers in all the regulation changes over the last decade? A school refresher will serve them better, but it's a 4 hour drive and they were wanting to go home each night.