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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kids driving cars?

41 replies

ShittyCar · 07/08/2022 21:39

Dh has just got our 12 year old to drive the car backwards and forwards in the driveway.
He is under the influence if alcohol.

Is this ok or is it a shit idea?

I said dc could accidentally floor it and knock the car into the house, our other car, forward into the neighbours house or car. He said he had control of the handbrake so it was ok.

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 07/08/2022 23:28

NumberTheory · 07/08/2022 22:38

Only illegal in a place the general public have access to (so roads, car parks etc.). Private driveway would not normally count.

Show quote history

I agree that it wouldn't normally count but I am of the opinion that if its a crime on public roads then it really shouldn't be done in a small private area either. There's also a huge difference in practicing on a long private drive/field versus a short driveway that is only two car lengths long and ends up on a road with the possibility pedestrians crossing/children running. One is fine to practice on, the other isn't.

RichardOsmansXraySpecs · 07/08/2022 23:35

Yeah I don't think it's the letting him have a go, it's the drunk bit that's the problem.

randomchap · 07/08/2022 23:36

Does your DH drink too much? Is this a one off example of drunken idiocy or is it common?

He does not sound like a good father or partner.

mumda · 07/08/2022 23:38

Just remember they tell teacher everything.

NumberTheory · 08/08/2022 01:40

Pixiedust1234 · 07/08/2022 23:28

I agree that it wouldn't normally count but I am of the opinion that if its a crime on public roads then it really shouldn't be done in a small private area either. There's also a huge difference in practicing on a long private drive/field versus a short driveway that is only two car lengths long and ends up on a road with the possibility pedestrians crossing/children running. One is fine to practice on, the other isn't.

Show quote history

You might think it’s a bad idea, but you asked “isn’t it a crime?” And the answer is - No.

rnsaslkih · 08/08/2022 09:11

www.youngdriver.eu/

book this for your 12yo

he can drive a car with an instructor with dual controls

your dh being drunk is the problem here and also the possibility of hitting neighbour house/car. Idiot.

ldontWanna · 08/08/2022 09:16

Possibly not too bad if he wasn't drunk. But he was and as such his judgement and reflexes were impaired to begin with. It put your son in a very risky situation physically and emotionally if something had happened, not to mention if the police had to get involved.

It was stupid and reckless and of no benefit to anyone.

FOJN · 08/08/2022 09:22

Your husband being under the influence is the main issue. It's also a stupid idea if you live in an average family home with an average 2 car driveway.

If your husband was sober and you had a mile long drive then it's probably not such an issue.

I see kids as young as 13 driving massive tractors all the time, they are on private land so it's perfectly legal, their skill and responsible behaviour is very impressive. Obviously they are on the family farm and it's not just kids joy riding the local farmers tractor.

Eunorition · 08/08/2022 09:31

Jesus, where do you find these men, and why do you need to ask this.

hewouldwouldnthe · 08/08/2022 10:03

I let my DD do this age 13. Literally talked me into doing something stupid as I always give in to her !

She mistook the accelerator for the brake and drove into the back of her dads car.

Don't do it!

rainbowstardrops · 08/08/2022 10:06

I sincerely hope this is a wind up because otherwise words fail me how stupid he is.

Iamclearlyamug · 08/08/2022 10:52

To be fair I've taught my 10 year old to drive my 4x4, but it's in a large open field, an automatic, and I'm sat with her the whole time.

It's only a bit of fun and a great experience for her

But it's private land, it's perfectly legal. Would never allow it anywhere else

jammiewhammie65 · 08/08/2022 11:08

Lol classic mumsnet

wandawhy · 08/08/2022 11:30

So 12 yr old now knows how to start car and engage gears ie knows how to go beyond driveway into road if he decides he wants to try it.
Family lawyer on speed-dial?

NumberTheory · 09/08/2022 16:49

wandawhy · 08/08/2022 11:30

So 12 yr old now knows how to start car and engage gears ie knows how to go beyond driveway into road if he decides he wants to try it.
Family lawyer on speed-dial?

I think lots of kids would have a decent idea of how to tackle this just from watching their parents. It’s hardly rocket science. Trying to keep your kids ignorant isn’t the way to make them behave well.

Shade17 · 09/08/2022 21:20

wandawhy · 08/08/2022 11:30

So 12 yr old now knows how to start car and engage gears ie knows how to go beyond driveway into road if he decides he wants to try it.
Family lawyer on speed-dial?

Don’t tar all kids with the same brush. At 12 I was trusted to move cars around on our property unsupervised having learned to drive at 10/11 and would easily have been physically capable of driving up the road. Not once was I even tempted to do it.

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