Opinions please

[pineapplecube]

Hi there
wondering how you would feel in this situation
Ds is 17 and a bit . He is currently learning to drive. He is wanting to go on a road trip to Scotland (6 hour drive from us) with two other 17 year olds. Only one can drive and has been for 6 months. They intend to stay a couple of nights then drive back. He’s been hanging around with this kid lately but I’ve never actually met him. My ds has a part time job but even so I can’t see how he’s going to afford the accommodation anyway. So expensive.
I just feel that’s it’s too far/adventurous at this age and a lot of driving for one fairly inexperienced person. I’ve told him I’m really not happy at all.
He insists he’s going and I can’t stop him as he’s 17.

what do you think

thankyou in advance

I agree it sounds too much on unfamiliar roads for an inexperienced 17 yo driver.

It kinda sucks but ..

Realistically, he's 17, he's going to go and you can either row and scream and shout and stamp... And he go anyway..

Or you can buy him a years personal breakdown cover, a prepaid credit card with £50 on it, remind hi to take his phone and a battery bank and tell him to be careful but have fun.

I was doing at 17 all manner of dumb shit that my parents didn't like, their displeasure never stopped me, just made me more adamant.

I wouldn’t let my 17 ds go, no way! We have a rule of they do as I say (which isn’t much to be fair) I let them have loads of freedom but i would draw the line at that. He says I’m too strict, I say it’s because I love him too much to ever let anything happen to him. When he’s 18 and an actual legal adult then he can say what he’s doing, I still wouldn’t be happy about it

No wouldn’t be happy about the driving.

Going on holiday by train fine, but I wouldn't think any of them are experienced enough drivers or mature enough to drive all that way. Are they responsible enough to share/take breaks, not to drive if they've had a drink or smoked some weed? I'd also be speaking to the other lads parents. They are not adults until 18, you are still legally responsible for him.

The thing is, this isn't just a matter of a mum worrying about nothing.
Road safety charity Brake said new drivers with passengers of similar age were four times more likely to die at the wheel than if they drove alone because there would be an element of them "showing off and taking more risks".

news.sky.com/story/new-drivers-under-25-could-face-young-passenger-ban-under-graduated-driving-licence-scheme-12864069

It's a catch-22 ... if your lad was mature enough to be allowed to go on this trip then he'd have the sense to know it's not really a good idea just yet.

I wouldn't be happy at all if I didn't know the driver.

I'm 43 and driving to Scotland and back as the only driver would be a big deal to me.