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

So if I'm driving a friend to a hospital appointment and they give me petrol money you think I'm invalidating my insurance?

I'd also point out that "profit" only kicks in once all outlay is fully covered, so it's unlikely that's a factor here.

Well, If that's not seats with seatbelts, it needs to stop asap as illegal and dangerous.

If you're in doubt, no, there are no seats with seatbelts in the boot of a car.

To college this is absolutely fine - why should they get there for free when he/you pay for fuel and car expenses?! Edit to say that he should be giving you the money though

I thought you were going to say if he gives them a lift to some social engagement or something

He’s right, he can do what he wants and if he is regularly giving lifts then without charging it’s a very asymmetric situation. This solves that.

However, I’d also feel really uncomfortable doing this and wouldn’t dream of charging friends for lifts.

He shouldn’t be charging becuase they should be offering anyway

I think this is common practice, I have got the impression that there is some sort of unofficial taxi service via Snapchat that young people use.

If he’s letting friends travel unsafely I’d be taking away his keys.

the boots dangerous. he shouldn’t do that.
and theres no insurance in an accident as taking money from paying customers so insurance null and void.

however i wonder if a workaround could be to sell one sweet for the 80p or whatever it is, with the free car journey thrown in. that way no money for car ride changing hands. apart from sweet money and thats nothing to do with cars.

but nobody should ride in the boot unless it has proper seats and seatbelts.

I doubt he’s making a profit charging £1 a journey!

I assume she’s wondering if it’s a 7-seater with foldable ‘boot’ seats. We have foldable seats in our boot that we can use to make it a 7-seater or fold down to have the big boot. It’s definitely not as comfy back there and much more difficult to get in and out of! They are definitely the least desirable seats.

I imagine his pals are travelling in the boot like dogs though, which is much more concerning than charging £1!

He shouldn't have people in the boot but why shouldn't they contribute? You could flip this and say friends are taking advantage by saving on the bus and not contributing while you pay for the car costs.

All above board except the kids in the boot of the car, we’ve moved on with health and safety since the 70s.

That’s a HUGE drip feed isn’t it?

Still doesn’t change my position re charging people.
Apart from the fact he should be giving you the money if you’re paying for petrol. 😁

As for using the boot…
It’s a completely different issue, which you know well. And totally irrelevant to the discussion on charging people.

Fwiw if there are so many people wanting the ride, I assume it’s very beneficial to those people to pay that £1 rather than bus fare or walking….

He needs to raise the price. He is going out of his way, carrying a huge responsibility, if anything happened in the car, the other parents would be quick to point the finger at him.
* embellished drip feed to redirect the thread. So annoying.

Thanks for clarifying 👍🏻

That would be a strange first vehicle for a 17 year old.

Perfectly normal @KatherineJ1775. Mine was the only one who drove and the lads he took to college, nearly 90 minutes away, paid him £10 - £15 a day. The bus was over two hours and although free also left at 6am from a single bus stop at the edge of town, they were picked up and collected from their houses and didn't have to wait until 5pm to get the bus home either. They were usually home by 5pm instead. My friend's 18 yo does the same and so will my niece when she goes next year. She will probably take my other niece in days they are both in as she currently has no choice but to use the bus.

Your son is ensuring he won't be taken advantage of in life. You should be proud of him. His friends clearly also understand car ownership is expensive, aren't CFs and appreciate the convenient lifts.

lol. What a drip feed.

if this is in any way real don’t worry he won’t have his license for long 😂

Travelling in the boot is illegal, unless you mean on actual seats with a seatbelt.

You’re on the wind-up with what you’ve said about the “trunk”, then you mention the boot…make your mind up as to which aide of the Atlantic you’re on!

If that’s what’s she means using using tge boot, then she is even more unreasonable tbh.

It’s safe, legal. And people know what they’re getting. Up to them to decide if it’s worth £1 surely?

So if you pay for the petrol is he making a profit and therefore actually acting as an unlicensed taxi.

I don’t believe for one second anyone is stupid enough to let anyone ride in the boot but if so then you need to not allow him to drive to college or offer lifts. Actual insanity

Unless his insurance includes “for hire or reward “ he is driving without valid insurance. Assuming you are in the UK.

His mates are going to tell them when they claim for their medical bills if there's an accident.

"its not like he asks them to perform an oral for a ride"
Of all the counter-examples 😂