anyone not drive?

juno

My daddy forced me to learn to drive at 17/18, but then I didn't drive for ages. Now I've got a car, and whilst I love it I'm not completely reliant on it like a lot of people I know. My sister recently got a new job and has to take the bus to work and finds that hard - she got on the wrong bus once!

littlemissmoney

notsayingaword wrote: »

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.

There are many medical conditions that could lead to him not being able to drive, either for a while or forever.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/DG_10010623

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_066632.pdf

eamon

I have 2 friends that can't drive. One has poor eyesight and the other I suspect has anger issues. Anyway they both get around fine with public transport, taxis and lifts from friends & relatives. From a practical side though it helps to have reasonable public transport and to be able to plan your life around that.

skintbutsolvent

My dad doesn't drive. Started learning before I was on the scene (over 30 yrs ago!) but stopped when they moved to London. TBH he is always in his own world, so the rest of us are probably safer without him behind the wheel!!!

tandraig

I tried to learn to drive when i was 18 in an old bull-nosed morris (youngsters will have to google that!) was horrendous, the car was so heavy i felt like i had wrestled with it - no power steering in the old days. I tried again in my OHs car when i was about 23 but hated it - lighter steering but my gawd i noticed the heavy traffic and it scared me s***less! got to a point i was physically sick when i got behind the wheel.
gave up then! I just used to try out our new (to us) cars in deserted car parks! but havent bothered with last two. I hate driving and dont like being a passenger much (could three car accidents have something to do with it?).
I will, however happily use public transport.
If the lady doesnt want to drive - i would say ask her to have a go somewhere she feels is safe - and if she really doesnt like it. dont push it!

JBD

I don't drive. I've always got around on public transport and walking. It is inconvenient at times such as going to B and Q, garden centres etc as these places are out of town so I have to wait for my son to take me. Other than that though it is possible to manage. To the lady who is worried about using a buggy on public transport I have had 3 kids and used buses and trains with all of them. Once you get used to it it's easy, especially nowadays with buggy friendly buses.

mumcoll

I wish I could drive but had lessons and absolutely HATED it, just didn't seem to have enough eyes, hands etc. I got quite confident with an instructor then went out with hubby supervising and crashed into another car and a wall and lamp post.

Some years later tried again - even the driving instructor told me I may be better with an automatic. Tried that but even that was a failure. So, haven't tried since and have coped ok without it even though public transport is a nightmare.

I work within 2 miles of home so get the bus or walk. However, our office is relocating 25 miles away. I will have to ask for lifts from various colleagues every day. Hate the thought of it but not as much as hating the thought of learning to drive! Wish I'd learned when I was 17. I made sure my 3 all learned as soon as they could.

amy_lou_4

I have always been a bit scared to learn, I find it a big responsibility to be behind the wheel of a machine that could someone. Or myself. But I will force myself to learn! My main reason is that I want the independence having a car brings as I know when I am older I will want to live in the countryside again and there won't be buses all the time like I have been used to in Manchester and where I am now.
I wanted to learn when I was younger but I didn't have the money- now I have the money but don't have the time, since I only have a couple of months left in the UK before I move away!
My boyfriend's mum learnt to drive, but hasn't done so since her brother died in a car accident 20 years ago and she has to get the bus, train and walk everywhere. She has a few problems though and hasn't been able to get over the tragedy

Hardup_Hester

I learnt to drive when I was 40 passed my test on my 2nd attempt, I only have an automatic licence, means when I bought a car it was a bit more expensive, but as I now have problems with my shoulder I couldn't drive a manual car anyway.
All my kids had driving lessons for 17th b'day, & were given the car on their 18th (the car, not a car, it was an old banger that was passed on through the family) I felt it was an important life skill & 3 of my 4 children wouldn't be able to do the jobs they do without a driving licence. Oldest DS is getting rid of his car as he now lives in central London.
Hester

3KIDSNOMONEY

I learnt to drive when i was 30 and pregnant with my fourth child. I started when i was 4 months pregnant and passed at 8 months with a rather large bump - basically it was my one and only shot at it as i wouldn't have had the opportunity to try again with a new baby.

I am the last person i ever thought would learn to drive, but it does make life easier, especially when you have children - although i never drive far. It also gives me independence.

In my case it cost about £800 for everything (tests, lessons) which i think is good value.

I am still a nervous driver but would definitely recommend it to anyone to learn - i always say if i can do it anyone can.