Designated driver needs a fee schedule

DEAR AMY: I am 18 years old. Sometimes I drive family members and their friends to and from the clubs and other places to keep drunken drivers off the road - and also to make some extra cash. My aunt and uncle have been good about paying me when I drop them off. Sometimes I'll also drive them when they have friends with them. If the friends don't pay me, I'm fine with that - as long as someone in the party pays. Recently I drove my aunt and uncle. They had brought a nother couple along. The second couple decided to give me money as they were getting out of the car. I originally declined, but they insisted. As my aunt and uncle were leaving, they promised to pay me the next day. The second couple paid me plenty, but I'm 18 and don't have time for a full-time job, so any money I can get my hands on makes everything easier on me and my parents. It's been a week, and I still haven't heard from my aunt and uncle about money. Would it be wrong to ask? Or should I just wait and hope they keep their promise?

-- The DD

DEAR DD: I'm going to assume that you aren't running some sort of illegal "gypsy cab" service but are offering occasional rides to family members in exchange for gas money and some compensation for your time.

You need to establish a fee structure, make sure everyone knows what it is and adhere to it.

You say in your letter that the second couple paid and that normally you are fine accepting money from one member of a car load.

Because of this precedent, you might assume that your aunt and uncle felt their trip had been paid for. Ask them about it.

Taxicabs in New York City have started accepting multiple parties in one carload. There is a set per-person fee for going from one part of Manhattan to another.

This is an idea you could emulate.