Learning to drive in your late 60's

immy1

Hi. I've been a passive passenger really over the years and if I am honest a nervous one.  If you have never driven a car you don't know how it works sometimes think that e.g. the driver is not slowing down quick enough but he's an excellent driver. We always argue at some point in our journeys about me panicking for no reason.  Lost cause? 

lincroft1710

There used to be a theory (or urban myth?) that you needed a driving lesson for each year of your life in order to pass the test.

Car_54

lincroft1710 said:

There used to be a theory (or urban myth?) that you needed a driving lesson for each year of your life in order to pass the test.

It's a myth. As always there's a grain of truth, in that older people don't usually learn as quickly as the young, but there are always exceptions.

cymruchris

I would definitely echo that you could certainly give it a go - and would also support going down the automatic route, where there's one pedal to stop, and one pedal to go, and no need to worry about gears, clutches, biting points etc. There are people in their 60's learning to fly planes for the first time. If they can do that - you can drive a car  

Sea_Shell

Driving isn't just about physically controlling a vehicle and knowing the rules of the road.

It's a jungle out there.    

But you won't know if it's "for you" until you try.

immy1

I think that's just it Sea-Shell. The roads are so busy these days with plenty of inconsiderate and risk-taking drivers about. It is a jungle out there.

diystarter7

immy1 said:

I think that's just it Sea-Shell. The roads are so busy these days with plenty of inconsiderate and risk-taking drivers about. It is a jungle out there.

Hi

Very true and I used to enjoy driving and when I was younger and a lot less cars around, I drove like an F1 driver at times but thankfully no accidents and never done for speeding. Always kept a nice car that was easier to driver and stop and see out off etc

As I suggested earlier, don't block book any lessons until you are happy, wear a P plate. but a small auto that is high seated position, and initially just drives around your local routes and most driver will give you more space/time/etc when they see P plates.  

Why not just take a lesson and see how it goes and if it for you - then see the theory side etc and if still for you, go for it.

Driving to the local shops, gp and hospital are the most trips and as you become more confident, go out at quiet times when there is good weather.

With all of the cams, yell boxes, and inconsiderate/foolish drivers its hard but as long as you are driving extra safely you are often ok.

Thanks

SergeantBaker

diystarter7 said:

immy1 said:

I think that's just it Sea-Shell. The roads are so busy these days with plenty of inconsiderate and risk-taking drivers about. It is a jungle out there.

Hi

Very true and I used to enjoy driving and when I was younger and a lot less cars around, I drove like an F1 driver at times but thankfully no accidents and never done for speeding. Always kept a nice car that was easier to driver and stop and see out off etc

As I suggested earlier, don't block book any lessons until you are happy, wear a P plate. but a small auto that is high seated position, and initially just drives around your local routes and most driver will give you more space/time/etc when they see P plates.  

Why not just take a lesson and see how it goes and if it for you - then see the theory side etc and if still for you, go for it.

Driving to the local shops, gp and hospital are the most trips and as you become more confident, go out at quiet times when there is good weather.

With all of the cams, yell boxes, and inconsiderate/foolish drivers its hard but as long as you are driving extra safely you are often ok.

Thanks

That's not really helpful to the OP, whereas evidence of your advanced driving qualifications would be. Care to share them? You also mentioned close protection so your defensive driving experience would also help a new driver. 

I bet you don't assist the OP with this.  

strawb_shortcake

Just as an alternative idea, 

Driving lessons are expensive, I think they suggest 45 hours with an instructor as well as practicing with family, I think we were paying £30ish an hour for my Son. Also, some areas have long waiting lists for instructors and tests so may take a year before you are in a position to take a test.

Theory and practical tests are about £100, 

Then you have running costs of a car and insurance, insurance also intends to increase a fair bit when you get to a certain age, 

With all these costs, how would this compare with taxi costs for some of your required journeys? There are also good neighbour schemes, and community buses to support hospital trips, that may be available in your area. I think in some cases you can claim back your hospital transport costs too?
Not having to worry about learning to drive and then driving may take some pressure off yourself as you manage the change in circumstances at home too. 

Herzlos

You'll never know until you try The best time to start is now and all that.

I'd get on with applying for your provisional license first (online or post office), as that could take a few weeks to turn up, and then talk to some driving instructors whilst you are waiting for it. I don't think you can have a lesson on the road without it, but some instructors may be able to go over some theory first.

Since you're talking about an ill husband, you presumably want to be in a position to drive him sooner rather than later, so it may be worth looking at doing an intensive driving course - it's usually a full week thing with a test at the end. They tend to focus on teaching you to pass the test rather than teaching you to drive, but once you've passed you can learn properly.

Driving is pretty intimidating, so don't feel too bad about being apprehensive about it, but just remember that all those idiots on the roads managed to pass a test at some point and you're unlikely to be a worse driver than all of them!