Is it mean to impose restrictions on our nanny now she's passed her driving test?

Just to add: It would be highly unlikely that she has motorway experience as it is illegal to go on a motorway without a full license. So unless she has been in the last two days...

I would not be happy with an unexperienced driver with young children. As you know, small children get bored very quickly and keep asking, "Are we there yet?"

Suppose the children were to start arguing. She would get distracted from traffic hazards around her and possibly have a collision.

On top of all that she is going to need three suitable carseats for the children.

The test is essentially a marked judgement on whether she is deemed safe to drive by the examiner.

She can't be nearly as bad as a guy who I went to school with who failed with 8 majors, one of which being "nearly killing a horse", if that makes you feel any better.

Myself, I'm an excellent driver, never once have I - for example - been accused of nearly killing livestock, but with my driving test this coming week, I question my ability to pass.

Driving tests are really quite difficult, the government want to make money make sure everyone is safe. I bet 90% of drivers would fail if they had to retake their test as the standard is very high. If she was unsafe, she wouldn't pass.

That being said, an hour long, un-supervised trip to the beach may be a little much too soon.

HolyCameraConfusionBatman

BAHAHA! "Sweaty Tony" sounds like he'd be awesome with the kids. "Just get in the back of the van love, hold onto the ladder and you won't fall over. I need to stop off at the off-license first..."
LOL

It comes down to how much experience she's had on the road (yes she's had her license for 2 days but she's driven before that).
I've had a mum who just wanted to go out with me driving for the first month or so, so she'd feel more comfortable and I've been told by my agency to simply not drive the children (in a nice way, obvs) for the first year so I can gain experience. 3 five year olds will not be great for a new driver.

LookBehindYou

I was referring to this;

'If you think she's responsible enough to look after your kids you can probably trust her in a car'

There is no link between being responsible enough to look after kids and a good driver. I don't understand why you think if the OP can trust her to look after her children she must also trust her driving?! They're two completely different skill sets. It's why you almost never hear' Sweaty Tony is a bloody good driver, I wonder if he could babysit the kids?'

quite understandable you are wary as shes only just passed

can you go out in the car with her to see what her driving is like and how confident she is

has she driven in the rain at all-very different from driving in the dry - tho long may the sun last

taking to the beach via car would be nice (ive spent the last 2 days at the beach topping up my tan bliss) and prob far much easier then taking public transport but maybe i would say no this time

Haha! I was going to follow up with some points but wanted to check it wouldn't be super patronising if she wasn't an 18 year old.
I'm in favour of childcare, cleaners and would also have a cook and butler if I could afford it.

Gosh no you are being perfectly reasonable, I passed at 31 while pregnant with DC1 and looking back I don't reckon that I was that safe on motorways etc for about a year after passing. Then again I am uncomfortable with any one driving my DCs apart from me, DH, DM and DMIL. Maybe drive with her to get a feel of how confident/able she is.

HolyCamera, I have no idea what you think I was comparing.

LookBehindYou that's a really bad comparison. I'm a nanny (a good nanny!) and I can't drive. Being responsible and able to look after children is in no way related to the ability to drive.

OP I think you are absolutely right to impose restrictions on her driving. She's been with you 18 months witout driving so there must be things nearby/good public transport? I'd ask her to continue with whatever she has been doing for at least a few months until she's had real driving experience.

Talk to her about it. When i began nannying I had only driven a handful of times, despite passing my test two years before. I had also only driven on the Isle of Wight, and was nervous about motorway/fast/busy road driving. Manage to drive into the gatepost my first day in the job!!

The mum drove with me on the school run, and then left it up to me to practice as she was happy with how I did then.

How long has she been learning for? Was she driving a lot with other people in between lessons?

My car insurance was only an extra £5 per year to change from social & domestic to business.

Ask her to do the PassPlus course before doing any motorway driving. It will bring the cost of her insurance down too.

I think you're being perfectly reasonable.

I agree, I wouldn't be keen. Let her build up her experience, its really different driving for real.

I agree with bumpybecky, she should have a lesson first on the motorway, I had one when I passed my test and that was a long time ago.

I can still remember learning how to drive on and off a motorway.

I passed a month ago (aged 37!) and have still only taken my kids on very short trips