8 Carpool Rules For Kids

Girls inside car.

Carpools are beneficial arrangements for busy parents. But there's a bit more to a carpool than just alternating driving days in the carpool lanes. Being part of a carpool implies a commitment both on your end and on the other moms'.

If you set carpool rules for kids ahead of time, it's easier to address problems when they happen - and to keep the mutually beneficial arrangement (and your spot in the carpool lane) in place.

These eight carpool rules for kids can help make for a smooth ride.

1.  Carpool Rules Require a Seat Belt

Everyone wears a seat belt. The car cannot run unless seatbelts are fastened. (I had my daughter convinced this was true until she was about 7.) Make sure all your carpoolers are buckled up for safety.

2.  The Front Seat is For Ages 12 and Older

No one under 12 rides in the front seat (if you have a passenger-side airbag).

If yours has been disabled or you have an older-model car, check with the kids' parents first. Never assume because an eligible kid wants to ride in front that his parents would agree with his decision.

3.  No Eating in the Car

No eating in the car without permission. Adjust this rule as you see fit. Or not. On the fence about this one? See Dashboard Dining: Yes or No? : food for thought.

4.  All Body Parts Stay in the Car

All body parts must be in the car at all times. This one needs no further explanation.

5.  No Yelling in the Car

No loud voices or yelling inside the car. Distracting the driver is always a no-no.

6.  Keep Your Hands to Yourself

Keep your hands to yourself. No touching anyone else. (See rule #5).

7.  The Driver Gets to Choose the Tunes

Mom gets to choose the radio stations or music, If any. She's the driver, after all. And good music can keep you sane.

8.  Politeness is Mandatory

As our kids might say: "Duh."


You might like these:

  • Got kids? You'll want to make sure you have car insurance that covers all the essential financial bases driving around with little ones can possibly require.

    Car Insurance: Do You Have Enough Coverage?

    Got kids? You'll want to make sure you have car insurance that covers all the essential financial bases driving around with little ones can possibly require.

  • Road trip on your calendar?  Be prepared to keep whining to a minimum and take fun to the max with these 5 cool, crazy-fun family road trip games.

    5 Family Road Trip Games

    Road trip on your calendar? Be prepared to keep whining to a minimum and take fun to the max with these 5 cool, crazy-fun family road trip games.

  • We spend so much time on the road with rambunctious kids, it just makes sense to be prepared for anything life throws our way with a car first aid kit.

    Car first Aid Kit: The Essentials

    We spend so much time on the road with rambunctious kids, it just makes sense to be prepared for anything life throws our way with a car first aid kit.

  • If you're a parent who wants to do everything you can to ensure your child is safe while riding in a car, these critical car seat safety tips can help.

    Car Seat Safety Tips

    If you're a parent who wants to do everything you can to ensure your child is safe while riding in a car, these critical car seat safety tips can help.

  • To eat or not to eat on the road? It's a tough family decision whether to say yes or no to dashboard dining. Here are a few things to consider before deciding.

    Dashboard Dining: Yes or No?

    To eat or not to eat on the road? It's a tough family decision whether to say yes or no to dashboard dining. Here are a few things to consider before deciding.

  • We spend much of  lives in the car. Why not make it a peaceful - or at least, not stressful?  It can be done - with these 8 simple car rules of the road.

    8 Car Rules for Kids

    We spend much of lives in the car. Why not make it a peaceful - or at least, not stressful? It can be done - with these 8 simple car rules of the road.

  • 10 tips for road trips to help ensure a swift departure and a (mostly) hassle-free trip family drive.

    10 Tips for Road Trips

    10 tips for road trips to help ensure a swift departure and a (mostly) hassle-free trip family drive.

  • These 10 carpool survival tips can help ensure a successful arrangement for all involved.

    Carpool Survival Tips

    These 10 carpool survival tips can help ensure a successful arrangement for all involved.

  • We spend much of our lives in the car as parents. These car organize tips will help ensure we're prepared for any bumps in the road ahead, while keeping things organized and sane (relatively) on the road.

    The Family Car

    We spend much of our lives in the car as parents. These car organize tips will help ensure we're prepared for any bumps in the road ahead, while keeping things organized and sane (relatively) on the road.

  • These car survival kits are designed to keep little ones happily occupied  on short errands and long drives.

    Car Survival Kits for Life on the Road

    These car survival kits are designed to keep little ones happily occupied on short errands and long drives.

  • Motion sickness is no fun, no matter how old you are. Here are ways to help keep your kids’ tummy contents where they belong.

    Mastering Motion Sickness

    Motion sickness is no fun, no matter how old you are. Here are ways to help keep your kids’ tummy contents where they belong.

  • Family road trips can be a challenge for restless kids and road-weary adults. These road trip ideas can help  keep the little ones happily occupied on long drives.

    Tips for Family Road Trips

    Family road trips can be a challenge for restless kids and road-weary adults. These road trip ideas can help keep the little ones happily occupied on long drives.



Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.