AIBU to not want to drop work colleague home most days?

Just watch she doesn’t want to swap to you doing mornings instead of evenings.

I've had similar and all I can suggest is saying you'll meet her at the car at 5.05pm and if she's not there already, you'll take it she doesn't need a lift and you'll just have to go. It should only take a couple of times of her turning up late to find you've left, before she either makes alternative arrangements or starts being on time.

@DoreenonTill8 has hit the nail on the head, @Supermummy88.

I think you should tell your colleague "Joan - I'm happy to give you a lift home, but I can't wait around for you, so unless you are ready on the dot, I'll be leaving without you. I have to get home for my children's activities, and if I wait for you, I'm late. I'm sure you understand."

Then, if she isn't ready when you are leaving, go without her.

Just grow a pair and tell her that you can't give her a lift anymore. Don't piss about making up excuses.

She is taking advantage of you because you are letting her.

'Hi x. Just to let you know that due to my kids activities after school I'm no longer able to provide lifts starting from x date. All the best.'

That's all you need to say.

If she becomes your line manager she won't have any respect for you if you continue to be a doormat. She's shown little respect for you as it is.

What she wants and what she gets are completely different things.
You need to man up and just be honest.
She’s taking the mickey.
Is she paying you petrol money ?

Don't wait for her. Go to the car. Drive away. You'll only have to do this once...

She sounds a bit of a bully to me. Like she's making a point... telling you she's OK to vape in your car... wtf?

"By the way Joan, I don't have vape in my car".

Yeah I mean why doesn’t OP just spend possibly hundreds on public transport when she can just i don’t know…. Say no sorry I can’t give you a lift anymore!

You need to nip this in the bud now, before she becomes your line manager. If she thinks she can walk all over you now, it doesn't bode well for the future. I had a colleague I gave lifts to, it started out with me saying that if she was ever stuck, I could pick her up sometimes (eg if the trains weren't running). It became a regular thing and like you, I missed that alone time in the morning especially. I just had to tell her in the end I couldn't do it any more. It didn't help (or maybe it did) I had to do a slight detour to pick her up/drop her off, and she never offered me anything for giving her the lifts, not even a cheap box of chocs!

@independencefreedom message is good. Good luck, OP - get this freeloader out of your car!

Yep, this, it's that simple.

"Colleague, I'm going now if you want a lift, otherwise I'll see you tomorrow!"

Hi , I need to let you know that I really do need to leave work on time as I'm in a rush to get home.
If she's got an issue with it then that just makes things easier for you! Be blunt.

Similar position with several colleagues. Told them that I'd be setting off at 5 mins past the hour - and I do. If you are receiving lifts, you make sure you are punctual, or get public transport.

Nope put a stop to it all together or once a week maximum. Say x kid has a club I need ti be home for at x time so need to rush. Also as line manager this will get awkward and she will hold this over you so get out of it now if you can tactfully

You’re joking I hope..

Just tell her that due to your childrens' activities you unfortunately won't be able to give her a lift any more after this week via text or email without going into any detail:

Hi X, I'm afraid that starting from next Monday I won't be able to give you lifts home any more due to my childrens' evening activities. I hope you can find another arrangement easily. Thanks, Y

If she starts questioning you just say sorry, it's just the way it is. If you feel compelled to elaborate say sometimes you'll need to meet them there but it's unpredictable so best not to have any further arrangement.

As well as her delaying you and vaping I'd hate to be stuck in a car with my line manager every day - keep it professional and distant.

I had a similar issue with a friend to whom I was giving lifts to and from work (decades ago). I simply said "I'm going at 5pm and if you want a lift, be ready because I won't wait".

I never waited.

I'm a coward, so I'd make up a new hobby (as someone else has suggested) that means you're not driving past her house anymore.

"Sorry CF, from next Monday I have to go to Mums and Babes at the library in the opposite direction/pick up grandma from bridge/herd the goats"

Hi OP, u r not being unreasonable at all! U have every right to go straight home and care for your young children; so much to do! I had a similar experience years ago but it was in the mornings; colleague was always about 10 mins late for car run in the morning. I found myself getting really stressed and resentful.
You need to be assertive and in a very calm way ( tone is the key) ,explain that u need to leave by *. Don't apologise. You need to do this sooner rather than later. Working and caring for children is a massive juggling act and every second counts.
You need to address this NOW

Thinking about this further, and this manager’s behaviour, I’d suggest an email using work email addresses which says the following.

“Dear X

Due to personal reasons, which are of a confidential nature, I am no longer in a position to drive you home from work.

Best wishes, X”.

If she emails back to ask why, reply with:

“As explained, for personal reasons, of a confidential nature, which I am not in a position to discuss.”

Give no further explanation or information.

If she keeps up the questioning, reply with “I have no wish to cause you offence - and I am of course very conscious that you are in a more senior grade than I am - but I’m afraid that, as explained, it’s for personal reasons, of a confidential nature, which I am not in a position to discuss.”

If she asks you face to face, repeat that same sentence.

If she gets someone else to ask you, say the same thing.

And make sure you join a trade union.

In the nicest way why haven’t you just said no it’s not working for you anymore?

When she's your line manager she'll probably get held up even more at work and you'll be home later and later. Stop being a pushover and tell her if she doesn't leave on time with you, no lift, she vapes in your car, no lift. She's going to be a nightmare to work for Op, over and over you've proved that she can treat you how she likes, grow a spine now or you'll be sorry

@Supermummy88 As you are confrontation averse, you could simply say that you are going somewhere else directly after work which takes you on a different route that doesn't take you past her house. Perhaps gym, yoga, pool, etc. Could that work?

Spot on.
Saw you coming and enough brass neck not to have a conscience about it.

Trouble ahead.