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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Not to let random parents drive my child on school trip

179 replies

Daisysmummyf · 28/04/2025 20:48

Over the last year or so DD7’s school has arranged trips to a local activity centre for sports festivals, where a selected group of kids are invited to take part. She was invited to the first one which was 9-11 during a school day, about a 15 min drive away on motorway. They sent the letter home 2 days before and asked if any parents could drive their children there. I was free that day so agreed, and when I got to school I was also giving a lift to another child who I didn’t know which I wasn’t expecting, which was fine. I was however surprised they didn’t ask me for anything like my licence or proof of insurance etc, especially to take someone else’s child.

Since then she’s been invited to multiple of these events, all with 1 or 2 days notice and they have all been cancelled the night before as not enough parents are free to give lifts, including myself . Kids have then been devastated as the teachers tell them they are going before they have even got permissions.

Had another letter home on Friday for a trip tomorrow morning, this one is gymnastics so she’s desperate to go but I’m working and can’t take time off at such short notice. Due to the fact they don’t perform any checks on drives I’ve said on the permission slip she can only go if a teacher drives. I now think she probably won’t end up going and I feel so mean. I have emailed the school to express concerns but had no reply.

YABU: I should trust the random parents to drive her
YANBU: I am right to be cautious / annoyed about short notice

OP posts:
Namechangetry · 06/03/2026 16:25

ZOMBIE - the thread is nearly a year old.

lizzyBennet08 · 06/03/2026 16:52

Our school does this all the time but we're a small achooo in ireland and everyone knows everyone else. It works well here especially where the events are small and a bus would be too big.

Helpmumhere · 07/03/2026 22:51

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

OhWise1 · 08/03/2026 00:20

Schools get round this as classed and communicated to parents as being a private arrangement between themselves with the school just acting as coordinator. It therefore falls under tbe 'social and domestic' section of their driving policy and no dbs is required. It only really happens in small schools where the parents all know each other

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