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

I think technically he is acting as an unlicensed cab driver so is probably going against his insurance. So if I were him I would call it coffee money rather than lift money. But I think he is right to charge his friends for the convenience and I hope he is putting the “coffee money” in a piggy bank for when the true cost of car ownership kicks in.

ps putting his friends in the boot is definitely going against the terms of his insurance unless he and his friends are enrolled at Clown College.

I’m assuming it’s more convenient and cheaper than the bus and it’s just a little bit of money to cover extra fuel if he’s going out of his way - don’t see the problem really good for him!

Yes and maybe he often pops to the pub for a pint before driving 8 kids home in the boot, speeds and parks illegally but aibu to be miffed that he charges them?

Right….so this is the real issue then.
I’d be taking the car back if I found out my DS had been letting his friends ride in the boot (trunk).

Some schools wouldn't allow that. If one child did it then everyone would have to be allowed. This teen is putting mates in the boot of his car. Nothing to applaud

Agree with this - but moreover it is boundary marking and ensuring that his non-driving mates don’t take the Michael. He’s not extorting them. The cost of fuel these days will mean than a return trip to town or college often does use £3-5 of fuel, so he’s being smart to protect himself.

ETA this generation are far more transparent and direct over money - they love bars that operate a buy your own/order at the table system that means they pay for their own food/drinks without the squabbling over splitting bills. Even my DS and his GF are very very ‘fair’ about how they spend money when going out together. I think it’s healthy, to be honest.

His parents are paying for fuel and he's charging people to be in the boot of his car

Then, the answer is for OP to start asking for a contribution towards the fuel they are putting in for him.

Would save them nothing on buses where I live. In Scotland every under 22 is entitied to a free bus pass. Is he charging them a quid to come home too ?

The answer is for the son to stop putting his mates in the boot of his car surely

On balance I thought you were being unreasonable anyway. He's charging a quid not going full-on Travis Bickle. But your use of the word 'trunk' is completely beyond the pale and automatically renders you completely unreasonable. Case closed.

It’s not ethically corrupt but he is not generous. He is a businessman.

If he's only packing them into the 'trunk', he's never going to make much of a proper entrepreneur, is he? Others have mentioned investing in a large roof box; and I'm sure he could also get a towbar fitted and a second-hand rickety trailer/horsebox to increase passenger capacity... but he could also accommodate another four or five on the front, by popping up the 'hood'.

As long as at least one of them has good eyesight and a clear, loud voice, they can easily call through the window to tell him when to turn left or right, or when to slow down for 'jaywalkers' or stop for the red light (and they may also benefit from wearing asbestos trousers), he's literally just pouring good money away.

I'm not of his generation. Far from it and it's always been customary for friends to pay for their own meals out

No he's not.

You know you son carries passengers in his boot but haven’t confiscated the car and are only concerned about the £1 donation. Interesting.

It is illegal to carry passengers in the boot so this shouldn't be allowed.
But charging petrol money is very sensible, the money should be coming to you though, as you are paying his petrol and presumably car insurance, MOT's etc

At his age and well into my 20's most friends and boyfriends asked for petrol money. This was back when it really was just a couple of quid to fill up. Now you are looking at £70 to fill up, I am not surprised he is charging a flat fee of £1 and think that is actually quite generous!

Ok so reading your update, YANBU

It's normal to offer to pay some gas money when you get a ride from someone.

He's just making sure he doesn't have cheeky fuckers cadging lifts all the time and he's paying their way. Gas isn't cheap.

Ethically corrupt, WTF are you on. 🙄

He's also out of line putting people in the trunk. That sounds weird and dangerous.

Mine has always ‘split the bill’, so there has always been issues if you have a non drinker or those drinking more than others and ordering more courses etc. traditionally there has been a drinks kitty on nights out or holidays - as there is always one person who ‘has to head home’ jus when their round is due. I’ve always been relaxed but I have seen people fall out over it - this is now removed given people can order direct.

He's saving them having to get on a bus though.

No if he is putting them in the boot, that's a crime and he shouldn't be allowed his car. if he has 5 friends all in seats that's not an issue. charging them isn't a problem

He's not hiring it - he's getting petrol money

Oh yeah, you also "missed the fact" that this is a piss-take post. As if teenage boys are paying to squeeze into the boot. If that's what he's doing then it's illegal and you, being oh so morally righteous, must report him to the police.