Driving 16 Year Old Students To Out Of College Activities.

[catholic]

I work at a college & from time to time I am asked to drive 16/17 year olds in my private car to activities outside of college. I have a full, clean driving license but would prefer not to have the responsibility. Can I refuse?

[douglas9401]

Your insurance may not cover this type of use and if that's the case then, yes, you can refuse.
In any case, if they want to ferry students about the place they should have their own transport

[woofgang]

what does it say in your contract/job description?

[catholic]

Thank you Douglas 9401 and Woofgang. I too feel the college should provide transport and there is nothing in my contract to say I should be a student taxi service.

[TonyV]

I would not use my own car - you need a different insurance policy if you are using your car as a business vehicle - they are expensive

[Prudie]

You'd certainly need occasional business use on your car insurance. What if god forbid you had an accident with them in the car?

[schoolster]

I work in with Sixth Form students and recently attended a level 3 safe guarding course. A specific point was raisied about it not being good practice to drive students about, especially if there is not another adult present. You are left wide open to all sorts of allegations.

[woofgang]

anything in your job description that might cover it....eg something like "and other tasks to support students as requested by your manager"

[bhg481]

They can't make you do anything illegal though, Woofie and, if she doesn't have the right insurance it would be.

[pixie374]

Business insurance is free and very easy to add on. The point is whether this is covered within the contract in any way- or could be interpreted to be.

[bhg481]

Removing business cover from my car insurance saved me 10%.
Most policies cover you for commuting to and from work and only at your normal place of business.

[pixie374]

Adding on business insurance is free- with just about every insurance company.

[bhg481]

If it's free, why don't they include it as standard?

[pixie374]

They don't need to. They will use anything they can to get out of paying for claims. However, there is no cost when you ring and ask for it to be added on.

[Prudie]

Yes I have occasional business use added to my insurance and it was free but you have to ask for it. This is for work related travelling that is not just commuting.

[pixie374]

I drive clients around in mine too- and that's also free.

[TonyV]

Pixie surprised it's free but I guess you need to tell the insurance company that's what you are doing

[pixie374]

Of course.

[woofgang]

its not always free but doesn't cost a lot. I would be more concerned about the safety and safeguarding aspects.

[catholic]

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the trouble to answer. I really appreciate it. My main concerns were, 'what if I had an accident even if it wasn't my fault'? and also the possibility of allegations. So many good comments here, so thanks again.

[Maydup]

I suggest you start a dialogue with your employers around safe guarding, being alone with students and off site. Explain that you are uncomfortable about it and would like to help develop a best practice policy.

If that doesn't work or move things forward, then simply refuse to do it. Create all sorts of complications around your car and how you had to get the bus today etc, then ask for a taxi to take yiu and the student to the destination, the taxi driver being the third person in the car which makes for a more appropriate solution.