Car share guidelines for parents
Car sharing is a great way to reduce congestion, pollution and parking issues around school. It can help reduce the time spent by parents on the school run, and can save money by reducing fuel costs. It is also a good way to show children it's easy to make small changes to help the environment.
Safeguarding your child
The safety of children on the school run is the responsibility of the parents. Parents must ensure that any arrangements involving a car share are suitable. Only the parents or carers of a child are able to decide if they are happy for their child to travel with a potential car share match. Below are some tips to make this safer.
- Arrange to meet with the parents you will be sharing the school run with before introducing them to your children.
- Parents may consider a disclosure and disbarring service check (was known as Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check), For further information on this please contact the SBC school travel advisors.
- Be ready to show the other parents your insurance documents, tax disk, MOT certificate and driving licence, and ask to see their documents too.
- Confirm that the vehicles to be used to transport children are in good working order.
- Make sure you have all the necessary contact details of the other parents.
- Arrange a meeting between your children, the other parents and their children, before you begin car sharing.
- Make sure your children have all the necessary contact details of all relevant adults.
- Ensure that the other parents are aware of any medical requirements of your child, and ensure you know the same about their children.
- Ensure you make arrangements about travel costs at the beginning of the journey if necessary (these should only cover your running costs, as you are not a vehicle licensed to carry paying passengers).
- Ensure that all passengers comply with the Highway Code advice that you must wear a seat belt.
- Ensure that you have a ‘plan B’ in place for your child, in case of an emergency.
For further information please contact the SBC school travel advisors at schooltraveladvisor@slough.gov.uk.