AIBU to think my son should not charge friends for lifts?

Not read all the responses. I agree with you. Hes being very cheap, its very unattractive. As you paid for the car, petrol, insurance he should give you the £££££1

Fair enough. I think you are wrong and I think the ops ds is being very fair but we are all entitled to our opinions.

It’s great they have this attitude isn’t it? So much better than actual adults who disagree on who pays for what. I find it very refreshing.

I don't think there is anything ethically corrupt in this, its fuel contribution but... if he is making profit then make sure he has the right insurance. Playing devils advocate, If he has an accident and there is a financial aspect to the ride would he be liable? Would the parents of other kids hold him more responsible - like a taxi? Im not sire but worth thinking about.

Not read the whole thread but be careful as it could invalidate his insurance as it could be classed as driving for hire. Better to get them to stick a fiver of petrol on occasionally or buy him a burger / drink / whatever.

Wait.. he’s letting people travel in the boot of the car (presumably not one with seats?) and the money is what you are worried about?

take the car away from him

Well, you don't know how far they are travelling so have no idea how much fuel he is burning through.
That said, it doesn't change the fact he is not hiring his car - he his giving friends a lift and they are contributing towards petrol, maintenance, road tax, MOT, insurance - my car costs more than £5 a day without it leaving the drive

If he's squeezing in more than 4 passengers including some in the boot, he's definitely making a profit because no way is he burning £5+ of fuel per day.

Why would I do that? I was answering the initial question and I stand by my original answer.

Ethically corrupt? Can you hear yourself? It’s cheaper and easier than the bus for his friends. Get a grip.

No I don't. His petrol is being paid for by his parents. So basically 5 mates at least . Just short of 10 quid a day if he's charging them each way. No I don't think he should be charging them if he's not out of pocket himself which he isn't.

yes agree, my DD is always transferring odd amounts to friends for things like petrol, parking, entry fees, drinks etc. They are very up front about being fair and not exploiting any one person. I think it's much more healthy than people paying upfront for things (lifts, restaurant meals, days out) and silently seething because the other person doesn't offer a financial contribution but apparently it's "rude" to ask.

The price of fuel at the moment, I don't blame him. My son charges his friend for lifts home after work when needed.

Indeed - there's no reason to read the full thread to answer the original question of 'Is my son being unreasonable/ethically corrupt (or whatever it was), by charging his mates a quid for a lift to school?'. The answer to that is 'no'. But then when the OP got an answer she didn't like she dropped in the bit about people travelling in the boot. That is clearly not reasonable but a totally separate issue and I don't know why people are conflating the two.

If the OP's son was downing a bottle of whisky before setting off, committing drive-by shootings on the way, then doing doughnuts on the playing field when he got there that wouldn't be reasonable either. But the principle of charging a quid for a lift still would be.

I agree! I was questioning the pp who just keeps pouncing on the boot issue 🤣

Yeah, I don't see a problem with it?

That’s shit for your dd. Hope she found better friends.

Remove the boot issue. Do you think a 17yr old should charge his mates £1 per journey?

All the teenagers I know these days expect to pay each for stuff like this e.g petrol, they don’t find it awkward or selfish and do it without a quibble. They are just well aware of finances which I think is fab!

You can read the OPs posts if you click see all and it says it in their second post

That’s a different issue and massive drip feed. But no…….I didn’t read 200 odd comments!

People aren't reading the full thread. Allegedly some of his mates are being put in the boot of the car

Drip feed and
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I am an adult who has a friend who passes my house on their way to work and works in the next building to me with a shared car park. I don’t drive (medical). She picks me up on my days in office. The only inconvenience is her having to pull over outside my house whilst I jump in. I still send her £20 each month to thank her/towards petrol. It saves me £100 per month. We both agree it’s a good deal. No one is immoral! You son is smart. This will contribute towards petrol! This is in no way wrong, in the slightest.

He has been driving himself to college recently, and we were proud of him for willingly going out of his way to bring his friends to school (instead of making them take the bus).
@KatherineJ1775

Weird thing to be proud of.

He's not "making" them take the bus, he's not responsible for their lives.

You sound like a people pleaser and you care too much what other people think.