AITA For Refusing To Lend My Car To My Younger Sister?

Imagine the scene: a shiny car parked in the driveway, a symbol of hard-earned independence, now the centerpiece of a family feud. Our Redditor, proud owner and reluctant chauffeur, faces off with their newly licensed younger sister, whose gas-guzzling, scratch-adding habits have worn patience thinner than a budget tire. When she begged for the keys for a road trip with pals, they slammed the brakes—cue the tantrums, silent treatment, and parental guilt trips. Is this a case of tough love or petty control? Let’s roll into it!

The tension’s thicker than a winter oil change. Sister’s sulking, parents are preaching “support,” and the car sits there, blissfully unaware it’s the star of this domestic drama. With fuel prices soaring and a track record shakier than a learner’s parallel park, our hero’s drawing a line in the asphalt. Reddit’s got the popcorn out—let’s see what they think of this sibling speed bump!

‘AITA for refusing to lend my car to my younger sister?’

Lending your car to a newbie driver can feel like handing your diary to a gossip—risky business. “Trust is the fuel of any relationship,” says Dr. Gary Chapman, famed for The Five Love Languages. In a 2020 podcast with Focus on the Family, he noted, “When someone disregards your boundaries, it’s not support they want—it’s entitlement” (source). Here, the sister’s casual disregard for gas and dings has stalled trust, leaving the OP in the driver’s seat of a tough call.

The facts? She’s returned the car near-empty and scratched, shrugging off concerns like they’re optional airbags. A road trip amps the stakes—more miles, more risks, and a fresh license doesn’t scream “road warrior.” The OP’s not wrong to worry: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says new drivers are 3 times more likely to crash (source). Parents pushing “support” might mean well, but why aren’t their keys on offer?

This taps a bigger gear: family entitlement. Chapman suggests, “Set clear rules—‘borrow it, fuel it, fix it’—and stick to them.” Advice? Tell sis to pump gas or pound pavement for her own ride. Parents can chip in if they’re so keen. It’s not about mistrust; it’s about mutual respect. Readers, got a take? Rev up the comments!

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

The Reddit mechanics weighed in—here’s the rundown:

“NTA” roars loud—“She’s not entitled to your car!” they chorus. From “Why aren’t parents lending theirs?” to “Road trip? Hell no!” the consensus is clear: sister’s burning bridges, not just fuel. One quips, “Let her crash their car—problem solved!” It’s a mix of snark and sense—do these hot rods hit the mark, or just spin the wheels?

So, is the OP the bad guy for locking the garage? Nah—this car’s theirs, earned fair and square, and sister’s joyrides don’t trump that. She’s pouting, parents are nagging, but boundaries aren’t villainy—they’re survival. Will this rift idle out, or is it headed for a family fender-bender? What would you do—lend the keys, hold the line, or tell sis to hitchhike? Drop your thoughts below—let’s keep this engine running!