Moving on

Seasidegal58

I don't drive Cherry. It's never bothered me but then I have always commuted to work, lived in urban places with good public transport and taken taxis when needed. However I'm currently staying in the Highlands for the holidays in a very rural area where you realise driving really does become a necessity - the nearest village is seven miles away! Still I think at nearly 70 I won't bother now - I did take some lessons in my 40s but I never liked it so gave it up!

badmemory

It just shows how different we all are.  I remember my father (who paid for the lessons) being very pleased if I went on a date & I was driving not whoever.  My main dread now in my late 70s is that I will lose my licence.  The thought of having to be dependent on someone else, even a taxi, just doesn't bear thinking about

rtandon27

@redofromstart ETA @Cherryfudge - Definitely focus on the small steps and the achievable!  If driving freaks you out on any level, leave it on the shelf for another day/time! 

I used to drive (across the pond), on the other side of the road and in an automatic (which is the norm over there).  For almost 18 years, I've not bother with figuring out the driving situation here - other side of the road, the really high speed limits & the roundabouts!  OH does our driving when we need to go somewhere that requires it, but for day to day, I commute on the train and self-propel on foot.  It is possible to survive without driving, though not always the most convenient option.  The closest medical facilities to us by public transport are not at all the same ones if using a car & as we get older, this gives us much food for thought!

redofromstart

Not me @rtandon27 - I do drive (have to for my job) but I didn't learn till my mid 20s.

Sun_Addict

I don’t drive. I did take lessons and a test many years ago. I failed the test due to nerves but would’ve probably passed the second time if I’d put in for it, I don’t know why I didn’t. It would be handy if I had a car on occasions but wouldn’t want the associated expense. As you know I walk everywhere which isn’t always convenient but I’m a lot fitter for it. I don’t think I’d bother with it now, as a pedestrian I’ve seen so many idiots let loose on the roads it’s quite frightening! 

rtandon27

redofromstart said:

Not me @rtandon27 - I do drive (have to for my job) but I didn't learn till my mid 20s.

🤣🤣🤣 - I must have misread - now will have to trawl back and see who that comment was meant for!!!

ETA @Cherryfudge

Cherryfudge

Wow, lots of feedback - thank you!

@Seasidegal58, like you, I've not really needed to drive: mostly I can get to places on foot or by public transport and places you drive to often seem to be places other people want me to be... though if I'm honest lifts from DH or friends do make life easier especially in the winter or late in the evening.

If I did drive, I'd lose some of my fitness, which is a big consideration. That's not something I can buy, and is something I can put effort into and thus improve my life, present and future.

@badmemory, I entirely get your Dad wanting you to be the driver, especially as so many young people suffer from their friends' driving. I don't feel I'm dependent, though in a way I suppose I am. My take on it is that if other people want me to join in with things that can't be walked to or they don't want to get a train (which, granted, is disproportionately expensive), then they can provide the transport. You will guess from this that I am far happier staying at home and often only join in because other people want me to! There are exceptions and maybe if I did drive, I'd find out what this mysterious other life is, that people are sure I'm missing. 

rtandon27 said:

@redofromstart ETA @Cherryfudge - Definitely focus on the small steps and the achievable!  If driving freaks you out on any level, leave it on the shelf for another day/time! 

The trouble is, I've been doing this every year so far...  Overthinking? Definitely, but I've also lost a family member to a RTA, and worked with people who will always live with the results of similar. 

The medical facilities thing is the big one for me: we are within walking distance of a hospital but services there have been reduced. I can get to the big hospital by train (at present levels of fitness) and am aware from experience that waits for ambulances can be longer than is safe.

redofromstart said:

Not me @rtandon27 - I do drive (have to for my job) but I didn't learn till my mid 20s.

I had lessons in my thirties and it was going all right, but I couldn't afford to continue, and then life got too busy.

@Sun_Addict - just how I feel re health and idiots!

rtandon27 said:
🤣🤣🤣 - I must have misread - now will have to trawl back and see who that comment was meant for!!!

Probably for me.  

redofromstart

It is far from cheap to learn - I pay £330 for ten hours for the DC, and I have lost count of how many hours they have had (c80 each?).  Both took 3 or 4 goes to pass the theory, the younger has just passed his practical on his 4th attempt, and I hope the eldest passes his in a few months.  Hard to even book a test here - six month waiting list. 

We live in a village with very little public transport, and had planned to be even more rural in the future so it was important that they could drive. The original hope was that they could at least drive themselves to college but three years on...

WelshmansDaughter

Sounds like it would be a nice to have rather than a need to have for you. I have had stages where I don’t drive at all and obviously now I drive for a living. I do find not having access to a car quite limiting but then I do like to do far away things that have ‘interesting’ public transport links. Like going for a hike where I can get there on the bus but not get home…

Justcrackingonwithit

Driving is a funny thing isn't it, I've got a friend who happily drives on the motorway but hates driving anywhere she's not been before on "ordinary" roads.  Where as I hate being on the motorway, I've not driven on it, and hate being a passenger whilst on it.  I just hate it.  

I passed my test first time many, many years ago, and I always say if I didn't I'm not sure I would have taken the test again.  But, I do like the convenience of being able to go places under my own steam, although the rising costs of driving and having a car sometimes make me wonder!