Nanny just got her license

Anonymous
My nanny is almost 60 but has never really driven, until now. She recently decided to get her license and has now been driving for a couple months.

We used to live downtown and she took the metro to get to us, but we recently moved to Bethesda and while she can still take the metro and walk to our house, we will need someone to drive our kids to/from school and activities at some point since most things are no longer walking distance. So having a non-driving nanny is not really a long-term solution, which my nanny knew.

She says she didn’t get her license for us (she had always wanted to drive but just never needed to), but I am feeling kind of nervous about letting a new driver shuttle your kids around? She also doesn’t have a car she can use daily and would need to drive one of ours.

What do others think about this?

Anonymous
Sorry - should say I am feeling nervous about having a new driver shuttle MY kids around.
Anonymous
My mom is a late in life driver and I rarely let her drive my kids because older, new driver is not a good mix.
Anonymous
DW got her license shortly after we married -- before we were living in the city and didn't need to drive. Luckily we didn't have kids at the time, as there's a lot to learn at first.
Anonymous
What kind of car does she drive? I wouldn’t let her drive my car.
Anonymous
I wouldn’t do it. You won’t forgive yourself if something happens. Trust your intuition on this.
Anonymous
If you do allow it, make sure you have a big umbrella policy to protect your family.
Anonymous
Drive with her a couple of times. Unless her drive to the kids school involves highways, I’m sure she’s fine. Older people tend to be safe and slow.
Anonymous
You should give her a car to drive. Let her practice in your car a few times and then Go with her and see how she does. 60 isn’t that old!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do it. You won’t forgive yourself if something happens. Trust your intuition on this.


This
Anonymous
No. I took a long time to learn to drive, and it was only after years of practice that I felt comfortable. I would not trust a new driver.
Anonymous
I see several issues.

1. She’s a new driver, at an age that she’s no longer used to learning new things as frequently. Her reflexes haven’t been trained for years, yet she’s at an age that reflexes start to slow down.

2. She doesn’t have a vehicle to practice in her off time. That means her only practice is in your car, with your kids.

3. Driving solo is far different from driving kids. She’s just getting used to driving solo, and she’s not likely to be used to driving kids yet. Her years as a nanny don’t prepare her for handling problems with kids while also driving.
Anonymous
Ask her to drive you a few places first. See how confident and capable she is. Sorry, but putting my kids in a car with a bad driver is a no go.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Drive with her a couple of times. Unless her drive to the kids school involves highways, I’m sure she’s fine. Older people tend to be safe and slow.
this us what I would do.
Anonymous
Would you trust a 16-year-old to drive your kids around Who is only able to practice in your car with your kids?

I guess maybe if the school isn’t far and only a couple of blocks. Ride with her a few times and see what she is like.
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