Learning to Drive, is it too late for me?

krlyr

My nan also learned in her 50s. A friend of hers had decided to apply for a provision, so my nan said if she did, she'd learn to drive too. She did it, and it was very fortunate, as very soon after my grandad had a stroke and was no longer able to drive. My nan is so glad she did it, as it's given her so much freedom. She even drove up from Surrey all the way to Scotland within weeks of passing her test!

My nan decided to learn in an automatic. It does limit you to automatic cars only, but my nan just felt it was a better option for her.

marisco_2

I am not surprised you were put off driving when your ex was sat next to you shouting. I hope you find a good instructor who will encourage you and help you to achieve this great goal you have. Go for it OP. You wont regret it

nearlyrich

My late ex-MIL passed her test in her 60's she had a little car for several years before she sadly lost the sight required to drive but if you find a patient driving instructor there is no reason why you can't learn late in life (and 50's is not old)

Dunroamin

I learned to drive when I was 50 when my husband wasn't able to drive anymore. I recommend learning in an automatic if you're finding it difficult, it's easy to pass your manual test at a later stage if you find you need it.

iammumtoone

Dunroamin wrote: »

I learned to drive when I was 50 when my husband wasn't able to drive anymore. I recommend learning in an automatic if you're finding it difficult, it's easy to pass your manual test at a later stage if you find you need it.

I would suggest trying it the other way round. Start in a manual and if you are finding it difficult you then have the option to change to an automatic. My friend learnt in an automatic as she was too scared to try a manual, she now says it was not a good idea she can never get a cheap car as not so many automatics on the market. She says she will never learn a manual now as she doesn't want to go through the hassle of lessons and having to pass a test again.

Good luck with it. Instructors are well used to dealing with nervous pupils whatever their age.

Netwizard

iammumtoone wrote: »

l, she now says it was not a good idea she can never get a cheap car as not so many automatics on the market.

There are more autos now than ever before, and they are much much better than the auto boxes of old.

A lot of cars now have an automatic / DSG option

Tropez

iammumtoone wrote: »

I would suggest trying it the other way round. Start in a manual and if you are finding it difficult you then have the option to change to an automatic. My friend learnt in an automatic as she was too scared to try a manual, she now says it was not a good idea she can never get a cheap car as not so many automatics on the market. She says she will never learn a manual now as she doesn't want to go through the hassle of lessons and having to pass a test again.

Good luck with it. Instructors are well used to dealing with nervous pupils whatever their age.

It really depends on what type of car you will be driving. My licence is for automatics only and my last two cars have been SUVs at least one of which was only available with automatic transmission, though both were bought new instead of used. Before that I never had any trouble finding a car.

But it is true that overall there are fewer automatics than manuals on the used market due to automatics generally being less fuel efficient (although that isn't always the case these days) and costing more to buy new. More and more automatic cars have been sold new though over the past ten years so there will be more appearing on the used market over time but if you're only going to be interested in the cheaper cars, then sure, to get the best deal it will pay in the long-term to have a licence that allows you to drive both manuals and automatics.

[Deleted User]

Passed in a manual just before I was 30 - despite all the driving instructors telling me I wouldn't - no coordination + medical condition in my teens meaning I couldn't learn at 17

Got there finally after 4 years and more then 1 test! - intensives really helped me over traditional lessons, yes my tries even took me to Blackpool on a shared course... spent a really nice week fully inclusive in a b&b there, national express coach up there and back part paid with test booked for the last day through a reputable company
Your NEVER to late, can't describe the feeling, my confidence came and soared after I passed

Dunroamin

iammumtoone wrote: »

I would suggest trying it the other way round. Start in a manual and if you are finding it difficult you then have the option to change to an automatic. My friend learnt in an automatic as she was too scared to try a manual, she now says it was not a good idea she can never get a cheap car as not so many automatics on the market. She says she will never learn a manual now as she doesn't want to go through the hassle of lessons and having to pass a test again.

Good luck with it. Instructors are well used to dealing with nervous pupils whatever their age.

I used to drive automatics and never owned anything that wasn't cheap.:o When you're an experienced driver you'd only need a couple of lessons in a manual and taking the test should be a doddle.

Ms_Chocaholic

Course you're not too old, I'm not far behind you and if I'd never passed my test when I did (I think I was about 24), I'd have no problem doing the lessons/test now, at least they'd teach you to parallel park which I can't do which is a bonus.

Driving gives you such independence, not only now but in years to come. I can't imagine not driving. My mum always relied on my dad to drive her everywhere and when he passed she was stuck.

Go for it!