anyone not drive?

Silverbird

My family have never, ever had a car and it felt very strange actually sitting in the driving seat when I did decide I wanted to learn. I passed on my first try when I was 20 and wanted to get a cheap car, but, alas, with nobody I knew who could talk to me about cars and go around garages with me, it didn't work out.

8 years later and I haven't driven since. I would need refresher lessons, of course, to get back in the swing of things.

I never felt very confident driving (likely due to not being around and in cars before then) and at the moment there is no need for me to drive, as OH and I work at the same place.

However, before we try for children he did suggest I take refresher lessons so that I could perhaps get a cheap little car for myself and baby whilst he's away (we live in the countryside).

I guess the moment of truth will come when I'm sat in that driving seat again, but hopefully the past 5 years of driving around with my OH will have increased my overall confidence in the road and being in the car.

I hope this helps. Everybody's different and if she's really not happy then I don't see what he can do about it. Buses, I guess!

shimmershelly

I stopped driving completely about 6 years ago, I'd never been a confident driver although I passed my test at 19 first time, I hated motorways, heavy traffic, driving in the dark and rain etc.
It got to the point where I kept getting panic attacks, which I've never had in any other aspect of my life, so I gave it up completely and can't imagine getting behind the wheel again.
I live in town so can walk most places, the only downside for me is the kids school holidays where it would be easier to jump in a car to go places, but we do get by.

jackomdj

lostinrates wrote: »

I see no reason to push the issue with someone. Walking kids to and from schools is pretty good for them, using cars is only going to get more expensive and while it might mean the individual is forced to make comprimises later on, they might not be worse for them than the issue of driving now.

We would never push it with my Mum, she has lots of very strange ways, I suspect if she was younger she would get labled with a specific condition. She will get the bus to the local shops (only 15 mins walk away - but has not walked it since we were little 30 years ago!) twice a week, panics if she has to go on a day which is not her regular day. She has not got the bus into our local city for about 20 years.

I only responded as it is one of the things that does annoy. I was even talking about driving my girls (youngest is only 2) for 3 hours the day before Xmas eve to then drive back with her on Xmas eve if my Dad could not get time off before. I do worry about what will happen as they get older & Dad may not be able to do everything he does at the moment.....enough of my worries!

glossgal

shellsuit wrote: »

I don't drive.

I started taking lessons in 2006 and passed my theory test with flying colours (finished it that quick that when I stood up to go, they thought I needed the loo lol).

I just couldn't get the hang of gears. Used to drive me mad!

Then I had lessons in my Dad's automatic which was brill, until that died and he got a manual.

Can't afford lessons now and it's a shame because OH has a works van so our car is just sat outside most of the time.

Saying that though, I get awful road rage and I'm just a passenger, so I think it's best that I don't get behind the wheel again :rotfl:

If your Aunty doesnt want to drive, then that is her choice and nobody should try and make her start learning.

If her hubby can't drive in the future for whatever reasons, they can always use public transport!

LOL, I though that was just me glad to see I'm not alone! I reached over and bibbed the horn at someone a few months ago (as a passenger), OH was not best pleased!

I can't drive but hope to learn as do feel it's a disadvantage not to. People also seem to think you are odd if you don't drive, the stigma is unbelievable...

notsayingaword

As a teenager I had driving lessons and failed two tests before stopping lessons. 20 years later I started driving again and passed my theory test but I stopped the lessons again mostly due to finance. That was 5 years ago and I could afford to do lessons again but to be honest I'm scared stiff of driving! There's too many nutters on the road who haven't a clue how to drive! :eek: The idea of being on the road on my own with my children sitting in the back scares me silly. DH would love for me to drive so he doesn't have to take me shopping all the time and can take a break from driving sometimes, but I don't want to and am happy to be a passenger.

red_devil

notsayingaword wrote: »

As a teenager I had driving lessons and failed two tests before stopping lessons. 20 years later I started driving again and passed my theory test but I stopped the lessons again mostly due to finance. That was 5 years ago and I could afford to do lessons again but to be honest I'm scared stiff of driving! There's too many nutters on the road who haven't a clue how to drive! :eek: The idea of being on the road on my own with my children sitting in the back scares me silly. DH would love for me to drive so he doesn't have to take me shopping all the time and can take a break from driving sometimes, but I don't want to and am happy to be a passenger.

do you worry what might happen if your hubby couldnt drive anymore?

bubbs

hi,
I am 42 and been driving 2.5 yrs, the only reason i learnt to drive was becuase we moved more rurally and my husband does not drive.............but do you know what its the best thing ever!! I go everywhere but my sense of direction is rubbish but we always get where we want to go and always get home lol also my mum didnt drive untill she was about 54 despite living in a village but she does now but doesnt go far unlike me!!

1sue23

I can't drive and I do not want to , the country is a lot safer now that I have made this discision and I dread to think of the damage I would do , I am terrible steering my narrow boat and have hit a fair few bridges on my meanderings .
I live very close to the town and so I have very little need to get into a car I love to walk and I love public transport so I just have no need of a car

notsayingaword

red_devil wrote: »

do you worry what might happen if your hubby couldnt drive anymore?

DH is a petrol tanker driver so he needs to drive to do his job. He is an excellent driver and doesn't drink as he values his license, so it would have to take something very serious to stop him from driving.

financial_filly

red_devil wrote: »

would you learn in case hubby ever couldnt!

tbh i dont have the confidence to get behind the wheel, the thought makes me feel sick. I just dont feel comfortable with drving and personally dont see how lessons and then passing my test would give me the confidence to put my two precious children in the back while i drove :eek::eek:

Hubby would have to learn to use public transport like me :rotfl:then he can find out the joys of getting on a bus with a 7yr old and a baby and pram and the bus driver trying to win the competition for fastest back to the bus depot..that they obviously have everytime i get on a bus :rotfl: