# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001383094
**File Stem:** 0001193125-25-283233
**Filing Date:** 2025-11
**Character Count:** 17277
**Document Hash:** 7274cc7385f4361cb12c8d7cbe5cabd2
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-25-283233.hdr.sgml**: 20251114

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-25-283233

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 5

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20251112

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Other Events

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20251114

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20251114

**ABS ASSET CLASS**: Auto loans

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** SANTANDER DRIVE AUTO RECEIVABLES LLC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001383094
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES [6189]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** Office of Structured Finance
- **EIN:** 204382941
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-139609
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251487715

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1601 ELM STREET
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 800
- **CITY:** DALLAS
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75201
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 214-634-1110

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1601 ELM STREET
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 800
- **CITY:** DALLAS
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75201

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** DRIVE AUTO RECEIVABLES LLC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20061208
**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2025-4
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0002094373
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES [6189]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** Office of Structured Finance
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-284121-05
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251487716

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1601 ELM STREET
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 800
- **CITY:** DALLAS
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75201
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 214-634-1110

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1601 ELM STREET
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 800
- **CITY:** DALLAS
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75201

**UNITED STATES** 

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION** 

**Washington, D.C. 20549** 

**FORM 8-K** 

**Current Report Pursuant** 

**to Section 13 or 15(d) of the** 

**Securities Exchange Act of 1934** 

**Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) November 12, 2025** 

## SANTANDER DRIVE AUTO RECEIVABLES TRUST 2025-4
**(Exact Name of Issuing Entity as Specified in its Charter)** 

**Commission File Number of Issuing Entity: 333-284121-05** 

**Central Index Key Number of Issuing Entity: 0002094373** 

## SANTANDER DRIVE AUTO RECEIVABLES LLC
**(Exact Name of Depositor as Specified in its Charter)** 

**Commission File Number of Depositor: 333-284121** 

**Central Index Key Number of Depositor: 0001383094** 

## SANTANDER CONSUMER USA INC.
**(Exact Name of Sponsor as Specified in its Charter)** 

**Central Index Key Number of Sponsor: 0001540151** 

**Delaware** 

**(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation of Registrant)** 

**33-6996959** 

**(Issuing Entity's I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)** 

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC**<br> **1601 Elm Street, Suite 800**<br> **Dallas, Texas** | **75201** |
| **(Address of Principal Executive Offices of Registrant)** | **(Zip Code)** |

---

**(214) 292-1930** 

**(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)** 

**Not Applicable** 

**(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)** 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) 

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) 

**Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:** 

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading**<br> **Symbol(s)** | **Name of each exchange**<br> **on which registered** |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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**Item 8.01. Other Events.** 

The Registrant is filing the exhibits listed in Item 9.01(d) below in connection with the issuance of Class A-2 Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-2 Notes"), Class A-3 Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-3 Notes"), Class B Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class B Notes"), Class C Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class C Notes"), Class D Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class D Notes" and, together with the Class A-2 Notes, Class A-3 Notes, Class B Notes and Class C Notes the "Publicly Registered Notes"), Class A-1 Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-1 Notes") and Class E Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class E Notes" and, together with the Class A-1 Notes, the "Retained Notes") by Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2025-4 described in the Prospectus dated November 12, 2025.

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed in connection with the issuance of the Publicly Registered Notes to satisfy an undertaking to file unqualified legality and tax opinions at the time of each takedown from the Registration Statement. Copies of the legality and tax opinions delivered by Mayer Brown LLP, counsel to the Registrant, in connection with the issuance of the Publicly Registered Notes are attached hereto as Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1, respectively.

**Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.** 

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) Exhibits.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit<br>No.** | **Document Description** |
| 5.1 | [Opinion of Mayer Brown LLP with respect to legality matters](d887050dex51.htm) |
| 8.1 | [Opinion of Mayer Brown LLP with respect to tax matters](d887050dex81.htm) |

---

------

**SIGNATURES** 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| November 14, 2025 | **SANTANDER DRIVE AUTO RECEIVABLES LLC** | **SANTANDER DRIVE AUTO RECEIVABLES LLC** |
|  | By: | /s/ Craig Shmoldas |
|  | Name: | Craig Shmoldas |
|  | Title: | Vice President |

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## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1** 

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| | |
|:---|:---|
|  ![LOGO](g887050g1113051047296.jpg)  | Mayer Brown LLP<br> 71 South Wacker Drive<br> Chicago, IL 60606<br> United States of America<br>T: +1 (312) 782 0600<br> F: +1 (312) 701 7711<br> mayerbrown.com |

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November 14, 2025

Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC

1601 Elm Street, Suite 800

Dallas, Texas 75201

Re: Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC

<u>Registration Statement on Form SF-3 (No. 333-284121)</u> 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "<u>Seller</u>"), in connection with the above-captioned registration statement (the "<u>Registration Statement</u>") and the offering of the Class A-2 Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes, the Class A-3 Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes, the Class B Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes, the Class C Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes and the Class D Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (collectively, the "<u>Offered Notes</u>") and the issuance of the Class A-1 Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes and the Class E Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (together with the Offered Notes, the "<u>Notes</u>") described in the final prospectus dated November 12, 2025 (the "<u>Prospectus</u>"), which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "<u>Commission</u>") pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "<u>Act</u>"). As described in the Prospectus, the Notes will be issued by Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2025-4 (the "<u>Issuer</u>"), a trust formed by the Seller pursuant to a trust agreement (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the "<u>Trust Agreement</u>") between the Seller, Citibank, N.A., as owner trustee, and Citicorp Trust Delaware, National Association, as Delaware trustee. The Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture (the "<u>Indenture</u>") between the Issuer and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as indenture trustee.

In that connection, we are generally familiar with the proceedings taken or to be taken in connection with the proposed authorization, issuance and sale of the Offered Notes, and have examined and relied upon copies of such statutes, documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including the Prospectus and current drafts of the Indenture (including the form of the Offered Notes included as an exhibit thereto) and the Trust Agreement.

Mayer Brown is a global services provider comprising an association of legal practices that are separate entities including

Mayer Brown LLP (Illinois, USA), Mayer Brown International LLP (England & Wales), Mayer Brown Hong Kong LLP (a Hong Kong limited

liability partnership) and Tauil & Chequer Advogados (a Brazilian law partnership).

------

**MAYER BROWN LLP** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;November 14, 2025

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page 2

Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, with respect to the Offered Notes, when (a) the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (b) the Offered Notes have been duly executed and issued by the Issuer and authenticated by the Indenture Trustee and (c) payment of the agreed consideration for the Offered Notes has been received by the Issuer, such Offered Notes will have been duly authorized by all necessary action of the Issuer and will be legally issued and binding obligations of the Issuer and entitled to the benefits afforded by the Indenture, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally (including, without limitation, fraudulent conveyance laws), and by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such matters are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

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**MAYER BROWN LLP** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page 3

Our opinions expressed herein are limited to the federal laws of the United States and the laws of the State of New York and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to a Form 8-K filed in connection with the Prospectus and to the use of our name therein without admitting we are "experts" within the meaning of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.

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| |
|:---|
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Mayer Brown LLP |
| MAYER BROWN LLP |

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## Exhibit 8.1

**Exhibit 8.1**![LOGO](g887050g1113051411706.jpg)

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

United States of America

T: +1 (312) 782 0600

F: +1 (312) 701 7711

mayerbrown.com

November 14, 2025

Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC

1601 Elm Street, Suite 800

Dallas, Texas 75201

Re: Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC<u> </u>

<u>Registration Statement on Form SF-3 (No. 333-284121)</u>

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special tax counsel to Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC (the "<u>Seller</u>") and Santander Consumer USA Inc. ("<u>SC</u>") in connection with the above-captioned Registration Statement (the "<u>Registration Statement</u>") and the offering of the Class A-2 Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes, the Class A-3 Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes, the Class B Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes, the Class C Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes and the Class D Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (collectively, the "<u>Offered Notes</u>") and the issuance of the Class A-1 Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes and the Class E Auto Loan Asset Backed Notes (together with the Offered Notes, the "<u>Notes</u>") described in the final prospectus dated November 12, 2025 (the "<u>Prospectus</u>"), which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "<u>Act</u>"). As described in the Prospectus, the Notes will be issued by Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2025-4 (the "<u>Issuer</u>"), a trust formed by the Seller pursuant to a trust agreement (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the "<u>Trust Agreement</u>") between the Seller, Citibank, N.A., as owner trustee, and Citicorp Trust Delaware, National Association, as Delaware trustee. The Notes will be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the "<u>Indenture</u>") between the Issuer and Computershare Trust Corporation, National Association, as indenture trustee (the "<u>Indenture Trustee</u>").

In that connection, we generally are familiar with the proceedings required to be taken in connection with the proposed authorization and issuance of the Offered Notes and have examined copies of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion, including the Prospectus, the Trust Agreement and the Indenture (including the form of the Offered Notes included as an exhibit thereto) and other documents prepared in connection with the issuance of the Offered Notes (collectively, the "<u>Operative Documents</u>").

Mayer Brown is a global services provider comprising an association of legal practices that are separate entities including

Mayer Brown LLP (Illinois, USA), Mayer Brown International LLP (England & Wales), Mayer Brown Hong Kong LLP (a Hong Kong limited liability partnership) and Tauil & Chequer Advogados (a Brazilian law partnership).

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MAYER BROWN LLP

Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC

November 14, 2025

The opinion set forth herein is based upon the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "<u>Code</u>"), Treasury regulations promulgated and proposed thereunder, current positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the "<u>IRS</u>") contained in published Revenue Rulings and Revenue Procedures, current administrative positions of the IRS and existing judicial decisions. No tax rulings will be sought from the IRS with respect to any of the matters discussed herein. The statutory provisions, regulations and interpretations on which our opinions are based are subject to change, which changes could apply retroactively. In addition, there can be no assurance that positions contrary to those stated in our opinions may not be taken by the IRS.

Based on the foregoing and assuming that the Operative Documents are executed and delivered in substantially the form we have examined and that the transactions contemplated to occur under the Operative Documents in fact occur in accordance with the terms thereof, to the extent that the statements set forth in the Prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement (to the extent they relate to U.S. federal income tax consequences) under the captions "*Summary of Terms—Tax Status*" and "*Material Federal Income Tax Consequences*" constitute matters of U.S. federal income tax law or legal conclusions with respect thereto relating to U.S. federal tax matters, and to the extent such statements expressly state our opinions or state that our opinions have been or will be provided as to the Offered Notes, we hereby confirm and adopt the opinions set forth therein (subject to the qualifications, assumptions, limitations and exceptions set forth therein).

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MAYER BROWN LLP

Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC

We know that we are referred to under the captions referred to above included in the Prospectus, and we hereby consent to the use of our name therein and to use of this opinion for filing of this opinion as Exhibit 8.1 to a Form 8-K filed in connection therewith, without admitting that we are "experts" within the meaning of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.

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| |
|:---|
|  Respectfully submitted, |
|  /s/ Mayer Brown LLP |
|  MAYER BROWN LLP |

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