anyone not drive?

puddy

Im 38 and passed my test 2 years ago, have been driving since. Before that, I did the odd spate of lessons throughout the years, did some tests, failed, forgot to turn up to others, turned up to some without the necessary documents, all part of the fear of failure I think.

then I started again with another instructor and it was an automatic, never looked back. passed the test with him, got my car the week before the test so confident was I that I would pass.

I had to learn as I was planning to move out of London, so wouldnt have the use of public transport, BUT even before I moved away, the difference was amazing, over an hours journey to work then took me 15 minutes, shopping was much easier, I had real freedom and I did wonder why I had never done ityears before.

my OH did not drive at the time. he was 'anti car' but actually it was fear. I admit i forced him to learn to drive, I was not going to be responsible for giving him lifts all the time and I did feel that it was a life skill that we both needed. I booked the lessons for him, ordered his provisional licence (he is 47 and passed last year).
He hasnt looked back since.

I have to admit I absolutely LOVE my car. we still use public transport where it is more convenient or necessary but largely I drive. I wouldnt be without it now.

also my mum didnt learn until she was 50.

minerva_windsong

I don't drive, for several reasons:

- I have issues with several vision elements of the test, such as being able to read a licence plate at 20 metres.
- I didn't have anyone who could take me out to practise outside lessons, which made the lessons a bit redundant.
- I didn't see the point of getting my own car when I would realistically drive it for six months and then it would sit on my parents' drive for half the year whilst I was at university, because I had nowhere to park it on campus and it would have cost a mint.
- I'm planning to move to London in the spring and learning to drive in London seems a bit pointless.

It would be quite a good skill to have as I wouldn't need to constantly rely on public transport, seeing as where I live now is a bit middle of nowhere and it'd be good for me to go out and not have to have things revolve around not missing my bus etc. That said though the only way I'd want to learn is to do one of those intensive courses where you're in the car all day every day for about a week and then do the test.

red_devil

son dosent drive he hasnt shown any interest. He is still young though so plenty of time. I hope he does one day!

angeltreats

My mother in law passed on her eighth attempt, and my auntie passed first go. Neither of them have ever driven since passing (actually think MIL might have driven once, to the shops, but that's about it).

My mum took lessons when she was in her thirties but never got around to passing her test. She's now nearly 70 and my dad, who's 75, does all the driving. If anything happened to my dad that would make him unable to drive *touch wood* I don't worry too much about my mum as she's surrounded by family and friends who would be only too happy to ferry her around, and the buses are frequent and reliable to anywhere she'd need to go. It's kind of a shame really, she'd have been a better driver than my dad who is very nervous.

I wish my MIL and auntie would take a few refresher lessons and drive occasionally to keep it up, as you just never know when you'll need to drive, but neither of them have any interest and both have husbands who wouldn't sit in a car with them!

Tish_P

I don't drive - I live two miles from work, so I cycle to work, get the train for anywhere further, and take the occasional taxi in very bad weather. I get heavy shopping (cat litter etc) delivered when I need it. The costs don't add up to anywhere near what a car would cost me to buy, tax, park and maintain, never mind the cost of lessons.

Unless your aunt and uncle live in the middle of nowhere and/or your aunt has mobility problems that would stop her from walking but not driving, she'll probably be fine (and better off financially) without a car. Many lifelong drivers do seem to imagine that a life without car ownership is completely impossible - maybe your uncle's bought into that mindset a little too much!

borokat

I'm currently learning for the second time. The first time I had about a year of lessons. Mid way through I went off to uni and had to keep popping home to have more lessons. So I learnt in quite and on and off way and failed the test 5 times. I didn't drive properly again for 5 years. Started taking lessons in July this year and I'm happy with my progress so far. think realistically it will be Spring when I'm ready for the test, but this time I know I will be able to pass. My instructor is brilliant, explains things thoroughly and makes sure you can do things properly and understand why - not jsut coaching for the test. That is important to me as I want to be a safe and confident driver.

As for other idiots on the road, they are just as much a danger to you as when you are a passenger or pedestrian. A good instructor will teach you to anticipate what other drivers are going to do and while you can't be 100% safe it should certainly help.

Your aunt should at least give it a try - she might find she enjoys it. I would avoid going out with family members, get a really good instructor instead. Family members just don't have the experience or knowledge to keep you safe and build up your confidence, they won't be able to articulate instructions properly and it could do more damage in the long run. (there are exceptions to this obviously but personally I find it really hard taking instructions from my OH!)

PrincessPlaty

I dont drive, and i never intend on driving neither. When i was 16 i was witness to an accident in which my uncle died in. The brakes failed on his van and the accident was with an articulated lorry.

He had just picked the van up from having its MOT which it passed. It was my dad that completed the MOT, he still blames himself to this day even though at the time of doing the MOT the brakes were fine.

I struggle to even get in a car and be a passenger in one let alone driving myself it doesnt bare thinking about

MrsE_2

Why is it still (in 2009) that most of the people on this thread who don't drive are women?
I can't help thinking that most of the women who don't learn to drive because the allow/expect their OH to drive them around are stuck in a time warp.
I don't want to have to rely on my OH every time I need to go somewhere.

PrincessPlaty

Well i cant speak for anyone else but the only thing that i rely on is my legs and if i need to go any further then i use public transport

Janey3

I haven't driven for over 10 years now. I don't miss it one bit. I don't rely on anyone as I either walk or use public transport. I enjoy having a natter with people I meet whilst walking and on bus/train, something I never did whilst driving.

Janey3