What age would you let your child use a cab/Uber by themselves?

[MummySharkDoodoododoo]

Just that really. My daughter is in year 6. Very sensible but small and looks
Very young. Is is often missing out on clubs/activities because between 5 children, at 3 different schools, I just can't get there at pick up/drop offs at times. The past couple of weeks I've forked out for after school club for the other kids but it cost me £70 last week for 2 afternoons!

It had never even occurred to me about a cab. I'm not sure if we comfortable with it. BUT a few children in her year group have been getting picked up by some sort of taxi, for similar reasons, when they have had a trip/club/late finish.

She starts secondary school in September so I do want to start building some independence. But it worries me if the driver turned out to be dodgy. I think with Uber though, you can track the journey the whole time? But I still worry about her being alone with the driver.

How does she feel about it?

I would never use Uber for safety reasons. Would have more faith in a registered taxi company.

My uncle is a taxi driver and as part of this he takes some children with additional needs to school. This is (I believe) paid for by the Schools/Dept of Ed or similar, as such he was CRB checked. It may be possible that your local taxi company does something similar if you ring round a few. It may make you more comfortable.
If it helps I remember a neighbour getting a long distance taxi to school since he was about six years old

No I wouldn’t put my child in a car alone with a stranger.

My local taxi company allows unaccompanied children from y7.

A proper taxi (not uber) with friends, maybe from 14. Alone maybe at 16. I don't think I'd ever send my kids alone in an uber.

DD 11 carries a rape alarm. A well-meaning friend gave it to us. If she had that, I wouldn't have a problem. I think she'd have a problem with talking to the driver though, she has confidence issues, so when she feels ready.

16/17

A friend’s daughter was invited to a party by the mini cab driver who was paid by thr council to take her to school. She has learning disabilities and they only found out because she told their au pair.

We ordered an uber for stranded DS1 a couple of weeks ago but he's 13 (Year 9) and very sensible and I tracked it all the way (only a ten minute drive but he has a broken leg and so couldn't walk it). I wouldn't have felt comfortable with him any younger.

I would trust and feel comfortable about Ds1, 15.
He has been very mature for years, going out for the day to meet mates and play football in different towns.

I think I would feel differently if I had a dd.

My DS is 10 and is allowed to take the bus to school with friends sometimes. I wouldnt be comfortable letting him go alone in a taxi with someone.

Is she sensible enough to use public transport? Slightly less direct but I actually think its safer in terms of having people around her and not being alone if something goes wrong.

I’d feel much more comfortable with an Uber than a black cab.

Uber means you can check follow the journey on your phone. Have record of the driver and the number plate.

With a black cab they just disappear and you are entirely reliant on trust.

I think year 6, but probably not much younger is okay in an Uber.

Mini cab yes, Uber no.

I was sexually assaulted in a taxi by myself, drunk. I would never ever ever let a child use a taxi by themselves due to my experience. I wouldn’t trust anyone that wasn’t Garda vetted with my child

For a registered taxi alone, it would depend on the child - my 14-year-old son I think would be fine, but my 11 year old gets easily flustered and upset.

If it's in a taxi in a group with other kids going to an activity, I could see doing so for some Year 6 kids. I might ask at the school or other parents if I know them to see if there were properly vetted services available.

An uber driver is not police checked or employed properly, its casual work, no safeguards.
A liscensed minicab with named driver and car registration is safer. Some do school run for children in foster care, may have women drivers. Safety in numbers if a couple of them travel together.

Taxi or Black cab safest, heavily regulated but more expensive