Teens Paying for Petrol?

[Cameleongirl]

I was talking about this recently with a friend and discovered that we have different opinions, so wanted to find out what other parents of teens think.

Both our DD's (17) passed their driving tests in the spring. I agreed to share my car with DD, as she plays on a sports team, so being able to drive herself to practices is convenient for us both. I also WFH some days so as long as I plan appointments well, I can easily manage without my car. Public transport is dire here, but Uber is available if I need it.

I also let her use the car for socializing, for example, she worked yesterday evening (a summer job at a restaurant) and then drove to a friend's house to stay the night.

I continue to pay the insurance and refill the car when needed. I expect DD to let me know when the tank's getting low and obviously if she doesn't and ends up needing to refill it herself, she'll have to pay for it.

My friend was really surprised that I'm covering all the petrol and insurance. She expects her DD to contribute to both. My reasoning is that DD is actually helping me out by no longer requiring so many lifts!

Now, if my DD causes damage, that's different. I would expect her to contribute to the repair as she is earning and will continue to work at the weekend during the school year.

What do other parents do?

She is saving you petrol though surely if she is driving herself to training/matches. There and back x1, as opposed to 2x if you are doing it. Seems mean to me to charge her for petrol, as if she hadn’t passed you would be paying for it all, plus your time etc.

@JaffavsCookie That was my logic for not charging her anything. I'm now thinking I may ask her to fill up the car when she's been out and about in it more for social reasons, hanging out with her friends, etc.

But then again, if she didn't drive herself to see friends, I'd have to take her.

Dd paid for her lessons, her grandfather gave her £300 towards them.
tben she purchased a car at 18 and put her own fuel in it. Dd was working and earning

Perhaps just don't over think it .. you were happy with your decision until your friend commented - is that making you doubt your choice?

We all parent differently, sometimes I (privately) think my friends over indulge their DC, but I am sure I make certain choices that others think are too soft/hard. And I do think that your DD driving herself to sports practice is different, she clearly is saving you a lot of time by getting herself there. I have always encouraged my DS to play sport and that involved years of driving to practice, matches, camps etc etc ... but personally I think it's been worth it - others might not

If it works for you then fine. I'd be thrilled not to be a part time taxi driver for my teen