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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you put a 10 year old in a taxi alone?

92 replies

Himitsu · 08/06/2024 15:08

My daughter has a club she really loves however my husbands hours have changed which means he’s is now at work. I won’t have time to go home and collect her and take her to her club before then going to collect my younger one from nursery.

Trying to think of ways to get her there! Would you feel comfortable with this?

OP posts:
irishmurdoch · 09/06/2024 00:05

Perhaps with a regular female taxi driver; otherwise absolutely not.

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 09/06/2024 00:06

No way

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 09/06/2024 00:10

tarheelbaby · 08/06/2024 20:37

Oh, jeeze! MN overthinking it again!

So the big question is whether you (and your 10yr old are sensible)? Can you cope? Probably. If so, riding in a pre-booked taxi should not be a problem for your DC.

I had the same issue for a while: clubs' clash. I booked a taxi and let the dance teacher know. She made sure someone supervised DD into the taxi so we at least knew that side - not that I was really concerned. Naturally, the taxi company just brought DD home. They don't want any bother; they like a guaranteed fare and they're keen to move on to the next fare. As soon as I'd paid, they'd forgotten DD.

In the nicest way, I wonder whether most of you are being a bit precious. Taxi drivers take clients to/from places all the time, some clients are vulnerable for a range of reasons but it all works, nonetheless. It's A to B for the taxi drivers. If there's any complaint, everyone knows where they were and who was in the taxi. 99.9% are just taking a person to/from a destination. We hear about taxi horror but compared to the millions of journeys, these are an infinitesimal minority.
There are dodgy types on buses and at bus stops too.

That taxi driver will not have been DBS checked and could be anyone, 10 is far too young. I wouldn’t let mine get the bus alone either at that age. I think this is irresponsible parenting, however you want to dress it up. Different if it was a regular vetted driver with DBS check.

mathanxiety · 09/06/2024 00:13

Could another parent pick up the child from nursery and hold onto them for you?

I'd be leery of a taxi for a 10 year old tbh.

Notthatcatagain · 09/06/2024 00:15

My grandson was taking himself accross London on the bus at 11yrs. Just do the same due dilligence that you would use if you were taking a taxi. Local reputable, licenced firm, booked in advance. Taxi drivers are very strictly vetted for their licence

soupfiend · 09/06/2024 17:21

Longcovider · 08/06/2024 21:08

No and I doubt that the taxi firm would agree. Children of that age who are transported to special schools have to have an escort

Im sure others have already answered this, they dont, and they're not always going to 'special schools' either, sometimes taxi trasport is needed to get kids to school

soupfiend · 09/06/2024 17:24

outside1inside · 08/06/2024 21:14

My sister was raped by a licenced taxi driver after a night out aged 22. She got the number plate and he was caught. It went to court and he got a year in prison. No I wouldn't put a child in a random taxi (school transport is different)

Edited

Im sorry this happened to her, but there isnt really a distinction between school transport and taxi firms. School transport contracts particular firms, but any firm can also be asked by social care or education out of contract to do this. As long as drivers are DBS checked its the same thing. So pretty much a random taxi, as it might be described.

Original poster
Himitsu · 09/06/2024 18:42

Thanks everyone. I’m not going to out her in a taxi, I don’t feel comfortable with it. She’s just going to have to miss her club which is so sad for her but not a lot we can do about it.

OP posts:
outside1inside · 09/06/2024 20:28

soupfiend · 09/06/2024 17:24

Im sorry this happened to her, but there isnt really a distinction between school transport and taxi firms. School transport contracts particular firms, but any firm can also be asked by social care or education out of contract to do this. As long as drivers are DBS checked its the same thing. So pretty much a random taxi, as it might be described.

Show quote history

I didn't realise that all taxi drivers have to be DBS checked. My only experience of school transport is either a group minibus or chaperoned taxi transport. You are correct. As we all know a DBS check only confirms a person has never been caught not that they are harmless.

It's such a shame OP but I think it is the right choice.

FTPM1980 · 09/06/2024 20:36

I have often thought someone needs to set up a secure taxi service for kids and vulnerable adults. With double triple checked drivers who walk them to the door etc

FTPM1980 · 09/06/2024 20:40

Will either or both of your jobs allow flex hours 1 night a fortnight to allow her to go?

Is there a trusted baby sitter/au pair type person who could drive them or accompany on public transport?

Scottishdreams1991 · 09/06/2024 20:42

Surprised by some of the responses here tbh Dd11. has been in taxis on her own for a while now. Zero issues. She gets one to school/hobby alot

justmyluck1234 · 09/06/2024 20:44

Nope

MayonnaiseOnMyChips · 09/06/2024 20:45

Is there any family member or trusted friend you could ask to do this and you pay them instead of using a taxi firm?

alittlehopeisadangerousthing · 09/06/2024 20:46

Definitely not

FTPM1980 · 09/06/2024 20:51

Taxis in small towns are very different to taxis in cities.

Given the quality of the drivers we have had lately, terrible driving, clearly smoked in the car, late pick ups, I would not use an uber or a large firm for my 10yr old. I also suspect quite a few share ID and cars

My friends 14yr old daughter uses taxis occasionally but on at least 1 occasion she has got out early because she felt uncomfortable.

In a small town where the drivers are local I would perhaps feel differently

MademoiselleChanel · 09/06/2024 21:09

Can you find a mother's help/childminder to help you for a couple of hours ?

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