Top Ten Tips for Nannies Driving with Children

Driving children who are not yours is a common part of being a nanny, but there are a few important things to keep in mind before you agree to do so. Safety, of course, is paramount to ensure you, your little passengers, and other road users can enjoy their journeys—but what else should you consider?

Here, we run through ten tips for nannies driving with children, either in their own vehicles or those of their employer.

1. Ensure the Car Is Safe to Drive

Before setting off in any vehicle, always do your own external and internal checks to ensure all the lights are working, the tires are undamaged, and the engine is correctly filled with coolant, oil, and wiper fluid. Regular services and sufficient tread on the tires are essential for driving safely on the road. Make sure any official inspections are carried out as scheduled and the registration is up to date. It’s also important to check the requirements of each state you will be driving through, as road-worthiness requirements for vehicles vary depending on location.

If the vehicle is your own, be sure to keep it clean both inside and out. Not only does this showcase your professionalism, but it also ensures a healthy environment for the children to travel in. Remember, it’s perfectly reasonable to expect your employer’s car to be clean before you drive it too.

2. Make Sure You Have the Right Car Insurance

Car insurance is a legal requirement in most of the United States, regardless of whether you’re using your own car or driving someone else’s. However, requirements on the type of insurance you need vary state by state, so it’s always best to check before you travel.

If you’re driving someone else’s vehicle, it’s important to check whether your insurance covers you while driving it—the owner will need to have their own valid insurance too. Additionally, it’s a good idea to clarify with your employer who will be responsible for deductibles should an accident happen. It’s much easier to sort this out beforehand, rather than trying to agree in the emotional time after an incident has occurred.

3. Ensure Your Driving License Is Valid

Similarly, the validity of driving licenses can vary across the US depending on the state. If you’re relocating for a new position in a different state, you may find your license is only valid for a set period of time before you need to apply for a new, state-specific one.

4. Use the Right Car Seats

To ensure the safety of each child in your car, you must ensure they travel in a correctly fitted, suitable car seat. A child passenger safety technician can verify installation for you. The type of car seat needed depends on the individual child’s weight, height, and age, but laws around suitability also depend on where you’re traveling.

Especially if you’re using your own vehicle, it’s best to have new car seats for each child to ensure they are in good condition. Car seats should not be reused after they have been in an accident, even if they appear undamaged.

Whenever driving with children, using taxis, taking public transportation, or flying, be sure to check the local laws on car seats to ensure compliance and keep everyone safe.

5. Stop Frequently

If you’re embarking on a long journey, it’s important to stop frequently for a number of reasons:

• Children Don’t Need to Eat in the Car. Though it can seem an easy way to keep kids happy, snacking in the car poses a significant choking risk that is best avoided. Instead, stop regularly on longer journeys to allow everyone to enjoy some refreshments outside of the car in a safe place.
• Babies Get a Break from Their Car Seat. Remember, it’s widely recommended that infants under a year old should not be in a car seat for more than two hours. This is known as the two-hour rule.
• It gives you a chance to refresh yourself: Tiredness and fatigue are extremely dangerous when driving. Stopping allows you to return to the road with increased focus, reaction time, and concentration.

6. Minimize Distractions

Whether they’re excited or upset, children can often be quite distracting passengers. To minimize distractions while you’re driving, have a few tricks up your sleeve in case they become bored, restless, or loud throughout your journey.

Having some sing-along albums or songs loaded onto your phone can help keep them pacified, or you could provide them with a book or tablet to watch a movie if that’s appropriate. Games such as I spy can also be lifesavers when traveling with multiple children, but be sure to keep your attention on the road and encourage them to lead the game themselves.

If the children are old enough to understand, be sure to establish some car safety rules before you set off, and explain the importance of staying calm and quiet.

Remember, you should also model good behavior. Avoid using your phone unless you’re using it for navigation (if you are, make sure this is hands-free and safe). Calls can wait—even from your employer. They’ll know you’re driving and will respect your choice to prioritize their children’s safety.

7. Negotiate Finances

When it comes to paying for fuel, it’s always best to discuss the details with your employer before agreeing to drive their children. Be sure to add information about who will be covering the cost of gasoline and whether your employer will be reimbursing the mileage in your contract. The IRS mileage reimbursement rate is a good benchmark for ensuring that wear and tear is also included in compensation if you’re using your own car.

8. Plan Your Route

Most people have navigation apps on their smartphones, but it doesn’t hurt to have a paper map or standalone satellite navigation as a backup. Be sure to check your route before you set off and make yourself aware of possible alternative routes in case any key roads are closed or any traffic incidents occur.

9. Regularly Check In with Your Employer

Though your employer has agreed for you to drive their children, it’s natural for them to worry and want confirmation that everyone has arrived safely to their destination. Taking a moment to send a quick text or make a brief call to reassure parents and caregivers when you arrive can make a huge impact and will further reassure them that their children are safe in your care.

10. Prepare for Emergencies

Finally, it’s a sad truth that sometimes emergencies happen through no fault of our own. You should always be prepared for your vehicle breaking down or an accident when traveling with children.

Make sure you are covered with roadside assistance, and stock the trunk of your car with blankets, coats, lights, nonperishable snacks, and water—help can sometimes take a few hours to reach you. In the event of a collision, you’ll need to have emergency contact details and medical information for the children in your care.

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