Application for jobs - must be able to drive

Dunroamin

Another vote for an automatic.

I had to get my licence very quickly when my husband lost his and I passed my test first time, after two months and at the age of 50.

Mara69

My son is unemployed and has been turned down for jobs because he has no driving licence. My husband and I have now decided to pay for him to learn. It's an expense we could do without - especially at this time of the year - but needs must.

Dunroamin wrote: »

Another vote for an automatic.

I had to get my licence very quickly when my husband lost his and I passed my test first time, after two months and at the age of 50.

That gives me hope. Once my son has learnt I intend learning in an automatic. I feared I was getting too old too quickly but you've knocked that idea on the head

Dunroamin

Mara69 wrote: »

That gives me hope. Once my son has learnt I intend learning in an automatic. I feared I was getting too old too quickly but you've knocked that idea on the head

My aunt learned to drive a manual when she was widowed in her 60s - it's never too late.

19lottie82

top_drawer wrote: »

had 2x2 hour lessons a week for nearly a year and struggled and struggled and struggled until eventually I just couldnt do it any more.

I beg you to pick up the driving lessons again, it can open so many doors for you (as you are finding out), so please don't write it off.

Firstly, I agree with other posters, try again, but this time with a different instructor, a good instructor can make the world of difference. You might have had a bad instructor and not even realised it. I had two different instructors before I passed. I got on with the first one great, but didn't realise at the time that she was useless (hence 2 failed tests!)

Secondly, when / if you do start again, ditch the 2 hour lessons and start with 2 x 1 hours a week. I used to do 2 hour lessons and I hated it. If you're not confident and the lessons stress you out, prob best to stick to the shorter ones until you feel a bit better.

I failed three times and thought I'd never do it, but when I did I was so happy and glad I persevered!

Savvy_Sue

Mara69 wrote: »

My son is unemployed and has been turned down for jobs because he has no driving licence. My husband and I have now decided to pay for him to learn. It's an expense we could do without - especially at this time of the year - but needs must.

Your post makes me glad that I insisted on the boys learning when they were in the 6th form: we paid for their licence and first set of lessons, then they paid for the rest.

But we'd had the experience, many years earlier, of DH being turned down for jobs because he hadn't passed his test.

None of them have a car, or any interest in getting one, yet, but should a job need them to be able to drive, they have the piece of paper which says they can!

Hermia

The_ICT_Engineer wrote: »

Companies do seem believe that buses and trains are always late or breaking down and that you need a car to get to work. This is often the case in rural areas, but is becoming increasing common in towns and city areas.

True. I used to work in greater London and it would take the non-drivers 2 or 3 times as long to get from branch to branch and that's in an area with plentiful London buses. I now live in a more rural area and it's sometimes impossible for the non-drivers to get to other branches or meetings. The jobs don't require you to have a car, but we are wary of hiring someone who doesn't drive because they won't be as flexible.

I definitely noticed that I didn't get as many interviews when I couldn't drive.

slenderkitten

i had a similar issue. i was in a perm job some years ago, the pay was pittance but paid the bills i gave up after 5 driving lessons as i felt it was too expensive, i was earning £10k back then which was minimum wage. i lived alone and couldn't put up with doing it any longer. I really wish i had learned to drive, i have alot of qualifications but i cannot drive so i am having to say no to alot of agency jobs becaue i cannot get to where the jobs are. i have no job now so its not easy for me. yes riding a bicycle is an option but you could end up sweaty for a longer duration so its not always advisable to do this. I am hoping to relook at lessons at some point in the future when i have the option to pay for them.

falko89

I'm another one who can't drive and wish I did do it earlier now as I am stuck to about a 10 mile radius from home with little to no decent jobs going.

Like you I tried several times but found I was to nervous in the car to actually learn anything, all I was worried about was getting it over so I could get out, passed my theory twice now both expired.

My provisional has now expired and a new one has gone up to £62.50, add to that lessons cheapest I could find recently are £27 per hour, the cost of the tests etc I am now priced out of the market, even if I could somehow afford it I couldn't afford the insurance once I did pass, I have gave up sadly. Sad thing is myself and other half own a car, I am already paying for half of it yet can't drive it, well legally at least.

ILW

Get a moped and ride it around for a while. The rules are the same as for a car and you will learn 90% of what you need for a car test.

Charityworker

I think some of the time people who own cars and never walk further than their front drive or get the bus anywhere can't understand how anyone can live without one. I've never had a car (money pit) and I'm in no way interested in getting one. I work full time as a manager and I'm attending meetings and training all the time. I also run a small business as a mobile beautician and manage to function properly without a car. Plus I'm not sure how anyone can afford one.