OP, be grateful a car is being provided. You will never feel as comfortable as you would in your own car, but it is SOOO worth it in the end. I have been in both situations and am currently using my own car for the job. I put well over 200 miles on my car each week with the commute (10 miles each way), school drop off/pick up, errands, outings etc. The wear and tear on my car, not to mention the constant mess from two toddlers just sucks. And any time I want to drive more than one person (or haul something) in my off time, I have to uninstall/install two car seats. It is so much more of a pain than I ever thought it would be. Thank your stars your new family is providing a nanny car!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for your replies. It is the family's only car so no chance in me borrowing it to get used to driving it. Though that is a great idea! The reason they want me to drive their car is because of an issue with parking in their building and they don't want to buy another car seat or pay for mileage. My car is actually newer and potentially also safer than theirs.

Their car has likely been fitted with a spy cam so they can keep an eye on you

I hope this is a joke but if not that's fine. What are they going to see? Me driving around? Singing with the radio? What could I possibly do in the car that they would want to see?

It's not a joke, it's very common. They will be able to keep track of you and the kids.

That's the most ridiculous thing ever. I've never ever heard of that. I'd also like to point out that there was a thread recently by an MB asking if she needed to provide a car for the nanny. Most of the posts were all about how the family absolutely has to provide a car for the nanny, why should the nanny put wear and tear on her car and parents should put their children's safety first by giving the nanny their car. Very few people spoke up and said it was ok to have the nanny drive her own car. Interesting that now that the nanny doesn't want to drive the family car it must be because the family is installing cameras or tracking them somehow. So is it always just about spinning it towards what the nanny on this thread wants?

OP, I'm not directing this at you, you did ask a legitimate question, I just want to make sure you get legitimate answers. I think it's natural to feel uncomfortable driving a car that's not yours initially but I think in the end it is significantly easier. As PPs have said, this way you don't have to deal with taking car seats in and out, paying for gas or wear and tear on your car. If one of the kids gets sick in the car, it's not your car getting dirty etc. I think there are more positives than negatives in this situation. Obviously I don't know this particular family but I find it pretty far fetched that they would have a camera in the car, I think that post came from someone who just likes to make MBs/DBs look bad.

If you say your going to the zoo but go to run personal errands instead they could see via a chip with GPS that you lied

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for your replies. It is the family's only car so no chance in me borrowing it to get used to driving it. Though that is a great idea! The reason they want me to drive their car is because of an issue with parking in their building and they don't want to buy another car seat or pay for mileage. My car is actually newer and potentially also safer than theirs.

Their car has likely been fitted with a spy cam so they can keep an eye on you

I hope this is a joke but if not that's fine. What are they going to see? Me driving around? Singing with the radio? What could I possibly do in the car that they would want to see?

It's not a joke, it's very common. They will be able to keep track of you and the kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for your replies. It is the family's only car so no chance in me borrowing it to get used to driving it. Though that is a great idea! The reason they want me to drive their car is because of an issue with parking in their building and they don't want to buy another car seat or pay for mileage. My car is actually newer and potentially also safer than theirs.

Their car has likely been fitted with a spy cam so they can keep an eye on you

I hope this is a joke but if not that's fine. What are they going to see? Me driving around? Singing with the radio? What could I possibly do in the car that they would want to see?

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for your replies. It is the family's only car so no chance in me borrowing it to get used to driving it. Though that is a great idea! The reason they want me to drive their car is because of an issue with parking in their building and they don't want to buy another car seat or pay for mileage. My car is actually newer and potentially also safer than theirs.

Their car has likely been fitted with a spy cam so they can keep an eye on you

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask if you can take the car for a weekend or two before starting the position so you can get comfortable driving it before you're transporting the kids.

Pros - no wear and tear on your car, all gas paid for upfront, never having to move carseats, things like parking permits or toll passes are usually installed, no worry about your car getting messy from the kids...the list is endless; it's clearly the better of the two options.

Yeah right. What a ridiculous request.

I take it you're a nanny? I've done this all three times I was expected to use the nanny car - of course if it's their primary vehicle it isn't feasible, but if it is there for the nanny's use and no one needs it - why not? My bosses were all very happy to let me drive it a few times before sticking the kids in it. The last thing you want is kids in the car with a new nanny trying to figure out how to turn the wipers on or slamming on the brakes because they're more responsive than hers are.

You don't sound like a capable driver. Have you ever rented a car? Do you always need to practice on a car first?

Of course I have rented cars without driving them first, but I do prefer to practice before driving OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN around in a strange vehicle. Anyone with any respect for the seriousness of the task is going to feel the same. Cars handle differently, have different blind spots, window controls are in different spots, etc etc etc - I like to have a handle on all of those details so there are zero distractions when I'm responsible for a child's life. Not sure why that bothers you so much.

OP here and I totally agree. This is why I prefer driving my own car. I feel most capable and confident in a vehicle I am used to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask if you can take the car for a weekend or two before starting the position so you can get comfortable driving it before you're transporting the kids.

Pros - no wear and tear on your car, all gas paid for upfront, never having to move carseats, things like parking permits or toll passes are usually installed, no worry about your car getting messy from the kids...the list is endless; it's clearly the better of the two options.

Yeah right. What a ridiculous request.

I take it you're a nanny? I've done this all three times I was expected to use the nanny car - of course if it's their primary vehicle it isn't feasible, but if it is there for the nanny's use and no one needs it - why not? My bosses were all very happy to let me drive it a few times before sticking the kids in it. The last thing you want is kids in the car with a new nanny trying to figure out how to turn the wipers on or slamming on the brakes because they're more responsive than hers are.

You don't sound like a capable driver. Have you ever rented a car? Do you always need to practice on a car first?

Of course I have rented cars without driving them first, but I do prefer to practice before driving OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN around in a strange vehicle. Anyone with any respect for the seriousness of the task is going to feel the same. Cars handle differently, have different blind spots, window controls are in different spots, etc etc etc - I like to have a handle on all of those details so there are zero distractions when I'm responsible for a child's life. Not sure why that bothers you so much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask if you can take the car for a weekend or two before starting the position so you can get comfortable driving it before you're transporting the kids.

Pros - no wear and tear on your car, all gas paid for upfront, never having to move carseats, things like parking permits or toll passes are usually installed, no worry about your car getting messy from the kids...the list is endless; it's clearly the better of the two options.

Yeah right. What a ridiculous request.

I take it you're a nanny? I've done this all three times I was expected to use the nanny car - of course if it's their primary vehicle it isn't feasible, but if it is there for the nanny's use and no one needs it - why not? My bosses were all very happy to let me drive it a few times before sticking the kids in it. The last thing you want is kids in the car with a new nanny trying to figure out how to turn the wipers on or slamming on the brakes because they're more responsive than hers are.

You don't sound like a capable driver. Have you ever rented a car? Do you always need to practice on a car first?

OP here. Thanks for your replies. It is the family's only car so no chance in me borrowing it to get used to driving it. Though that is a great idea! The reason they want me to drive their car is because of an issue with parking in their building and they don't want to buy another car seat or pay for mileage. My car is actually newer and potentially also safer than theirs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask if you can take the car for a weekend or two before starting the position so you can get comfortable driving it before you're transporting the kids.

Pros - no wear and tear on your car, all gas paid for upfront, never having to move carseats, things like parking permits or toll passes are usually installed, no worry about your car getting messy from the kids...the list is endless; it's clearly the better of the two options.

Yeah right. What a ridiculous request.

I take it you're a nanny? I've done this all three times I was expected to use the nanny car - of course if it's their primary vehicle it isn't feasible, but if it is there for the nanny's use and no one needs it - why not? My bosses were all very happy to let me drive it a few times before sticking the kids in it. The last thing you want is kids in the car with a new nanny trying to figure out how to turn the wipers on or slamming on the brakes because they're more responsive than hers are.

Anonymous wrote:Ask if you can take the car for a weekend or two before starting the position so you can get comfortable driving it before you're transporting the kids.

Pros - no wear and tear on your car, all gas paid for upfront, never having to move carseats, things like parking permits or toll passes are usually installed, no worry about your car getting messy from the kids...the list is endless; it's clearly the better of the two options.

Yeah right. What a ridiculous request.

Ask if you can take the car for a weekend or two before starting the position so you can get comfortable driving it before you're transporting the kids.

Pros - no wear and tear on your car, all gas paid for upfront, never having to move carseats, things like parking permits or toll passes are usually installed, no worry about your car getting messy from the kids...the list is endless; it's clearly the better of the two options.

I see it as a benefit for you - less wear and tear on your car, don't have to put miles on your car.
The parents probably want to make sure you're driving the kids in a car they know is safe

Nanny here. I interviewed for a new position last week and the family wants me to drive the child in their car only. I've always used my own car in my previous nanny positions, as this is what I am most comfortable with and most families don't have an extra car. I know a lot of nannies prefer families provide a car for them to use, so I was hoping they could share the pros and cons of doing so. Also, if the family adds me to their insurance is that all the extra coverage I need? Do I need to add something to my insurance as well? I don't want to be held liable by the family or another party if I get in an accident and am at fault. Anyone who has done this before please share your experiences. Not just nanny, parents too please! Thank you.