My DH has his driving test today. AIBU?

[MandMrs28]

My DH is mid 30's and last year decided that he would like to learn to drive. He's been having lessons and his test is today.

He mentioned to me yesterday that if he passes he would like to take the DC's to the park (in the car) whilst I'm at work over the weekend. I dropped into the conversation that I would prefer him not to go out with the kids alone in the car until he has had some experience at driving. He didn't reply to that but looked abit hurt.

He then said if he passes he would like to drive our car, on his own, around town to get used to the car. We bought a new large car (think 4x4 size) about 8 months ago and it is our pride and joy. I've been with him in this car when he's been practising his manoeuvres and he has struggled because he found the car too big (the car he's been having lessons in is a little clio).

AIBU to say not to take the kids out alone and that I would prefer him not to take the car out alone until he's had some experience with driving a car of that size?? I feel like I'm pissing on his bonfire abit and if he comes back all joyous that he's passed and wants to take the car for a spin what do I say?!?!

I doubt OP will be back probably too busy telling DH what he wants for food this evening

There are a lot of posters who would tell their husbands that he is not allowed to drive his own children! As a PP said upthread would the answer be the same if a woman had posted that she'd just passed her test and her husband wouldn't allow her to drive them!

No...he'd be all the overbearing, patronising, controlling swines under the sun.

But this is mumsnet when mum's word is law and everyone else can fuck right off.

YANBU - he needs a bit of practice before he has 2 really quite small kids to pay attention to as well. let him drive on his own and when you are with him to help with the kids for a while. He does need to build up his confidence but even a silly fender bender could be a major drama if he has the kids in tow.

I like that it's "our" pride and joy when it's your car.
Big difference between a 30 something newly passed driving children and a teen just turned 17 driving children. Huge difference.

I'd be interested to ask your driving instructor what he thinks about all the rich kids getting a 4x4 on passing their test and immediately driving it around?

Let him get the car in the weekend and let him take his kids to the park.

FizzBombBathTime depends on how you want to interpret eliminate. But what about the discrepancies in insurance premiums betwixt older and younger drivers and surely the older drivers have done more time and miles on the road?.

Just I was talking about the risk of an accident. An experienced driver is at just as much risk of being hit by, say, a drunk driver for example as a new driver. You can't completely eliminate risk. That's barmy!

Hurrah for happy ending OP! Glad he has passed and you have reached happy consensus on who's driving what.

Its not ludicrous that the husbands instructor might have remarked on the suitability of the family car for husbands first car. My instructor suggested my husbands car of choice for me was not ideal (Mitsubishi pajero) - I never so much as scraped it on anything but after a couple of months I did swap it for something much smaller!

Lweji no accidents in the first year. Guess my mum was right to let me have the time to focus on improving my driving skills (and given that it was her car, I had no right to complain!)

All you need to do is say congratulations and tell him to take the car out on his own somewhere quiet to get used to the controls and feel of it. Once he himself feels confident and in control, let him do as he pleases. I think yabu and not very supportive. Imagine if this was you being treated this way. How would you feel?