What age is ok to get taxi back from party?

[Sanityseeker75]

DS is 16 and seems to being going to more and more parties lately. Usually isn't drunk when comes home although mates do have a few(he will say if he has had couple of alco pop things as he knows I don't like him drinking).

Last week he was at a party on the Sat and this week there is another party. Same town due to finish between 11 or 12. Thing is he walks home from this mates house a lot (just not usually this late more like 9.00). So last night he was moaning about me moaning that he wanted to go to another party.

I know this makes me sound so lazy and bad but all I do is taxi him around and I just wanted to be able to get pj's on and chill this sat. DS said he will sta at mates/walk/get taxi.

I prefer him to come home so I can see he is safe. I don't want him walking but is 16 to young to get taxi on own? I really need to suck it up and play taxi myself again don't I?

My 15 year old gets taxis now and again. I'd rather pick him up myself but not always doable.
We use a reliable firm though.

We live in the country with no public transport after 6.30pm so my children have been using taxis occasionally since year 7. Why wouldn't you?

Mine tend to stay over at parties. If not we pick them up. But I would use a taxi if for some reason we couldn't. I would worry about the walking home option.

Is this something else I don't understand? (I tend to find a new one every day on here!) What's the problem with using taxis?

DD has been using taxis since she was 15 for Saturday nights, when, to be honest I'd quite like a glass of wine myself after a week of teenage girl dramas.

Thanks for responses.

I haven't really got a problem with taxis - just felt like I as being a shit parent by telling him to get a taxi home because I didn't want to have to go and get him .

Dh said as long as we booked it for him he couldn't see a problem. I know I was certainly out with my mates at his age and used to stay out if I thought I would be back early. But I am torn between worrying if something happened it would be my fault and think I need to get a grip he is 16

If you want extra peace of mind, the taxi firms with social care contracts are increasingly putting their drivers through mandatory safeguarding training. So it might be worth finding out if any firms in your area have received it and going with them.

I used to get taxis all the time at that age. Lived out of town/parents didn't drive. It was fine.

I think taxi fine as long as reputable firm. Also make him ostentatiously ring you from the can as soon as he gets in and for the driver to hear him tell you he's on his way home now.