Commute to school

[Hairydogmummy]

My DS16 has just started sixth form and will soon be 17. He's very keen to learn to pass his driving test ASAP and can drive fairly well already through young driver courses. Loves driving/cars etc. We currently have a sale on our house and looking for a new one. My question is how far is it reasonable for a 17/18 year old to commute to school? Obviously we can move off the bus route now as he won't use it anyway but his commute would be 10 mins at the moment. Is 20 reasonable? Would that be upper limit? Would just like the opinion of other mums as I'm really doubting myself when looking at gorgeous houses a bit further away!

I know kids much younger than that who "commute" for an hour to get to school!

Or are you concerned about him driving alone for 20 minutes, rather than the "commute" itself? ie would you be concerned about a 20 min bus journey, or if you drove him and that took 20 mins?

Yes it's cos it's him driving it I guess. I'm paying for the petrol and insurance. No I don't think I would worry if one of us was in a position to drive him there and back.

And yes I guess some of the kids on the bus he gets now spend up to 40 mins sitting on it if they're on the end of the route. So yes, it's because he's driving it alone. As I say, he likes driving though.

If you want to scare yourself read here - www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/safety

Oh god. I wouldn't have him driving at all if I read that!!

My ds has moved sixth forms and some of his friends have a 35-40minute commute. Worth it though.

Yes it's a great school. A grammar where he's always been happy. I couldn't move him.

I don't see there's anything wrong with him driving himself to school.

Is there anywhere to park when he gets there?

Yes there's a car park the sixth formers use. He's going to drive himself anyway wherever we end up as soon as he passes I just feel bad in case he finds it stressful and obviously it increases chance of accident.