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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put two 11 year olds in an uber?

151 replies

ohlookgreyvelour · 01/01/2022 19:55

Just had a message from one of my dcs friends mum inviting them both out for friends birthday next week, however we will all be back at work and are unable to take them directly to the place ourselves.

So I was I thinking that I could book them an uber to pick them up from home and drop them to the place, which is a 5-10 min drive depending on traffic.
Both dc are very sensible and are usually at home alone in the evening from 4.30pm until 6.30pm when do gets home from work, I don't usually get in until later.

The mum is unable to collect as she will be coming from work herself. So do you think that would be ok?
I don't want them to walk as it will be dark at that time and they would have to walk through quite a rough estate.

OP posts:
ClareBlue · 01/01/2022 20:53

Well as soon as they let them in the car you absolutely know they are not trustworthy because they signed a contract to say they wouldn't.
If they refuse how will your children deal with it
Will they try and find another way like walking

Offmyfence · 01/01/2022 20:54

@onlycustomers but Uber needs masks, the drivers are in an enclosed space and need to keep safe. They can't work if they've got covid and are self employed so will not have an income'

Hope that helps you understand

ClareBlue · 01/01/2022 20:55

Uber are not permitted to take unaccompanied children and if they do then they are showing how much you can trust them

Offmyfence · 01/01/2022 20:55

@ClareBlue

Well as soon as they let them in the car you absolutely know they are not trustworthy because they signed a contract to say they wouldn't. If they refuse how will your children deal with it Will they try and find another way like walking
WTF?
Faevern · 01/01/2022 20:57

Are 11 year olds required to wear masks though?

indecisivewoman81 · 01/01/2022 20:58

Nope

Peaplant20 · 01/01/2022 20:59

People asking why people are saying no. I think that’s obvious? There are a lot of very not nice people in the world unfortunately. I don’t have children that age but I wouldn’t be comfortable with it. Going home with the birthday boy/girl straight from school is what I would have done at that age if my parents couldn’t take me.

Offmyfence · 01/01/2022 21:00

@Peaplant20

People asking why people are saying no. I think that’s obvious? There are a lot of very not nice people in the world unfortunately. I don’t have children that age but I wouldn’t be comfortable with it. Going home with the birthday boy/girl straight from school is what I would have done at that age if my parents couldn’t take me.
Not sure that makes any sense?
rainbowandglitter · 01/01/2022 21:01

I wouldn't put my 12 yo in one. Although I don't have Uber around here so not entirely sure how it works.
I also wouldn't leave my ds alone for 2 hours while I'm at work.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 01/01/2022 21:04

I don't think Uber will take unaccompanied 11 year olds, but even if they did, my answer would be no.

I would, however, book a local taxi firm - many do the school runs and will drivers that are DBS checked and well used to dealing with unaccompanied minors.

ClareBlue · 01/01/2022 21:05

@Offmyfence
There's no WTF.
Drivers are not allowed to do it and they sign to say they won't. So if they do it.....
Invalidates insurance, plus other issues. You can not use your account for this either.
So maybe before you WTF my post understand what the conditions of being a driver are.

godmum56 · 01/01/2022 21:06

@AlwaysLatte

For those who say no, can I ask why? It's still getting into a car with a stranger. I just wouldn't be comfortable with it.
this.
coachmylife · 01/01/2022 21:06

I think the min age for Uber is 16. Lots of drivers will take them younger, but our neighbour’s 11 year old daughter was refused once, and really stuck (she was meant to be coming home in one, but driver wouldn’t take her and as she had already ‘left’ the (not v good) friend’s house she didn’t want to back and was stuck outside in the dark alone etc etc

CombatBarbie · 01/01/2022 21:08

I wouldn't even question it, uber is safer than a normal cab firm "if anything should happen" in terms of tracking them down, you can see where the car is etc.

I didn't have a choice but to use a council cab to take my 4yr old to school whilst we were awaiting placement for her place at eldests school (I was not happy before anyone jumps on me.... But after first week or so her confidence boosted because she felt grown up.... And we always had same driver).

Snoken · 01/01/2022 21:08

Definitely not an uber. Anyone can drive an uber. If I could find a company that allows unaccompanied minors and their drivers were checked I might have considered that. Otherwise they would just have to miss the party.

ClareBlue · 01/01/2022 21:08

It's 18

coachmylife · 01/01/2022 21:09

Is this in London? We have a good option if so (used for our children travelling alone from age 8-9) - the pedalme bike taxi service. DBS checked drivers, and they aren’t stuck in a box as they would be in a car - they are in full view on a cargo bike. You can track their journey and is fun too!

CombatBarbie · 01/01/2022 21:10

@Snoken

Definitely not an uber. Anyone can drive an uber. If I could find a company that allows unaccompanied minors and their drivers were checked I might have considered that. Otherwise they would just have to miss the party.
I've lived and visited many places abroad and UK in last few years. There are only a handful of taxi firms in UK that offer real time tracking of their cars like uber.... These were mainly in Portsmouth BTW.
BoredZelda · 01/01/2022 21:10

Would not use an Uber, these are largely unregulated. I’d happily stick them in a taxi from the firm who picks up for school, though.

BoredZelda · 01/01/2022 21:11

There are only a handful of taxi firms in UK that offer real time tracking of their cars like uber

Pretty much every major taxi firm in Edinburgh does this. I’d be really surprised if others don’t.

Offmyfence · 01/01/2022 21:14

[quote ClareBlue]@Offmyfence
There's no WTF.
Drivers are not allowed to do it and they sign to say they won't. So if they do it.....
Invalidates insurance, plus other issues. You can not use your account for this either.
So maybe before you WTF my post understand what the conditions of being a driver are.[/quote]
So you don't think if the UBER refused, they may just ring their mother and say? You think they'd try to get home alone by walking?

Do you think they are Hansel and Gretel?

user1745 · 01/01/2022 21:14

Uber drivers aren't supposed to transport unaccompanied minors. It's against their terms of service and a driver can have their account deactivated for doing it.

SpankyPankhurst · 01/01/2022 21:14

I would question why certain posters are asking "What do you think would happen?"

Are they looking for lurid imaginings, well known news stories involving cabbies or posters' personal dodgy experiences with drivers?

If so, why?

I'm not actually saying anyone is a fap troll looking for wank fodder. It's just that such people do and have posted here with alarming regularity, and fewer posters will share such stories unthinkingly anymore.

Sockpile · 01/01/2022 21:17

I agree with posters who are suggesting a taxi firm which has DBS checked drivers. I would worry that even if you booked an Uber they would cancel at the last minute- it’s perhaps less likely with a local cab firm.

SalveVagina · 01/01/2022 21:17

I did it when mine were that age, but with a licensed taxi firm, not Uber.