Create Car-Pool Rules

In the previous post we looked at how to start organizing a car-pool. In this post we’ll continue with this; looking at rules and information you’ll need to discuss at your car-pool parent meeting.

Information to discuss: All parents need to know the following about the other parents; someone should keep notes and then make up a chart for the other parents.

• Full name of parent driving
• Home, work, & cell number
• Address - home and work
• Available days and times to car-pool
• Number of kids in family who will be included in the car-pool.
• Size of car - i.e how many kids will safely fit in their car.

This info above should be made into a list of sorts that each parent can carry with them. If there’s a crash, contact info for kids parents should be easy to locate - think glove box or purse.

Safety rules: Parents need to create a list of basic safety rules - so that all parents feel confident about their children being with other drivers. You can make up any rules you like, but here are some ideas…

• All cars must be insured.
• First aid kits in all cars.
• No talking on cell while driving.
• Make sure each parent knows about any health concerns of all kids participating.
• Car seats - if kids are young.
• Age of kids allowed in the front - no one under 12 is the general rule.
• Everyone must be buckled up
• Kids are not allowed to eat while in the car - this is negotiable. In a car-pool situation, eating might mean too many distractions, or it could keep kids busy, you’ll have to decide.

You get the gist - make rules that work for your specific car-pool group, but be sure to cover basics safety as well.

Other issues to discuss:

• How many times a parent can be late or absent before loosing their car-pool spot.
• How soon in advance to schedule planned absences - like vacations.
• Alternates - who will drive if someone can’t make it.
• Sick kid rule - do you want a parent to drive if their child is sick and must come along?
• Rules for kids - rules kids must follow while in another parent’s car. You should set clear consequences too, such as when a child has gone too far and can’t participate in the car-pool any longer.
• Rules for drop-off - say parents must watch to be sure kids enter their destination, and what to do if no parent is home when the child is dropped off.

What other car-pool rules do you think are good to implement?