Is it worth learning to drive?

Johnmcl7

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

I've done a few short lessons with my mum but I'm a bit useless at driving and I panic. I'm not a natural, I don't really like it and prefer the bus! But would it be good to get it done?

You'll probably find most people are like that when they start driving so it's not unusual, I wanted to drive a car for years when I was young but was disappointed initially when I first learnt to drive how rubbish I was at it, the process takes time for you to automatically co-ordinate all the different movements and it's much easier when you reach that stage.

You have to be careful which family or friends take you out in the car as well as it can do a lot more damage than good unfortunately, when I was learning to drive I stopped going out with my Dad as he just got me very worked up in the car so ended up making a lot more mistakes.

With regards to your initial question I'd agree with the other posts that it's definitely worthwhile learning to drive as it's not a quick or cheap process so if you can get it done now that means if you ever need to drive you're good to go. I know a few people who didn't manage to pass their tests when they were teenagers when they had a car available they could practice in and very much regret it now.

John

Tobster86

DaveF327 wrote: »

The statement that stands out the most to me is this one:

I'm a bit useless at driving and I panic. I'm not a natural,

By all means, try a couple of lessons with a professional, but if you really have two left feet and don't know what you're doing, perhaps driving isn't for you.

Completely agree. There are far too many people on the road who like the convenience but otherwise couldn't give a flying monkeys about the fact that they're behind the wheel, and they just cause stress & frustration for the rest of us.

If you don't have the will & confidence to command a tonne of high speed metal then please don't. The roads are already congested with people that can't.

bluesnake

Learning to drive is not a bad thing. Depending on the job that you do, the location and the area you cover. You may however never need a car, like in central London.

You probably will not get paid any more for having a drivers license, but it may keep your cv out of the rejected pile.

Once you have a license, you could hire a car and take the kids out for the day. My friends in London often hire cars and go away on weekend breaks, as having a car just sitting there is wasteful and cost too much for a few trips a month.

The best thing I got in my youth was a drivers license, as it progressed my career, and my company car gave me personal transport too, including holiday and weekend beaks.

gilbert_and_sullivan

If you continue to live in areas of good public transport then why bother.

Many years ago my late father said to me ''once you have a car you'll always have your hand in your pocket'', he was right, the costs of running your own car being a good little taxed till the pips squeak consumer and paying some 50 to 80% of your transport budget back in various costs fees and taxes for the privelidge do stack up.

I dread to think how much i've paid out over the years, and i've done it economically compared to most.

vikingaero

Learning to drive if you have the skill, time and affordability is always a good idea. You never know what the future holds - a new job that may require some driving. But most of all in 10 years time you will be able to put on insurance quotes that you've held a licence for 10 years even without actually driving. Then there's the usefulness of the full driving licence card as ID.

Bennifred

I've always maintained that learning to drive was one of the best things I ever did - to be able get to work not on public transport route, cart children around, be able to visit far-flung family (cheaper by car when there are several of you).

I'm even more convinced that the ability to drive is A Good Thing now, because I have developed serious mobility problems and would be severely restricted (including not being able to work) if I couldn't drive.

We made sure all of our children learned to drive as soon as they turned seventeen, in the same way they were taught to swim - it's a life skill! It's paid dividends for them (and for me when I'm too ill to drive myself!:o)

As someone else pointed out - it isn't going to get any cheaper or easier in the future, and even holding the licence without using it will make insurance cheaper in the long run.

moses06

Hi, I live and work in a rural area with no proper public transport - taking the bus would make me an hour late for work and getting home would be nigh on impossible as the last bus would have been and gone!
I learnt to drive as soon as I was 17. The independence is the thing I love most, ok, so running costs for a car don't come cheap but where I live public transport is so expensive and unreliable I just couldn't be bothered with it. I also couldn't have my hobby of horse riding as I couldn't get to the stables without a car.
If I were you I would try a few lessons with a good instructor (much better than friends or family!!) and see how you go. If it's not for you, i.e your'e too nervous then don't worry! If you live in a city and have good transport links you'll be fine (although not being able to drive does limit job options) If I lived and worked in a big city then I would do PT and just hire a car when I needed one!! Good luck with whatever you decide)

[Deleted User]

Learning to drive is totally worth it. It is a valuable life skill. Doesn't mean you have to get a car straight way, but it is worth learning if you can.