I feel too old to only be starting driving now! Advice?

ruicosta10

Hi all,

You will surely think me a right fool for this predicament, but its getting to me a lot. Basically, I'm a 25 year-old bloke. I have never had any interest whatsoever in driving. I don't mind public transport all that much, I like walking, and I'm a bit responsibility-shy when it comes to the thought of having a car and taking my life and others in my hands when I get behind the wheel. Add to that the fact that my mates have always given me lifts when I'm stuck.

However, all of a sudden, I feel like I've missed the boat, and how embarrassing it will feel to have to have an L-plate on my car when I start driving (which I've decided to do). Not to mention taking lessons etc. I feel like I'm gonna have to be explaining myself to everyone who wonders why this wasn't done sooner. Can someone just lay out the process quickly for me here? How do I start off? Apply for a provisional? (BTW, I'm literally too gutless to ask family/friends... I've played it off to them that I already have my full license, and am simply saving for a nice car)

Cheers people.

ardmacha

try the Learning to Drive forum.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=909

nordydan

My sister learned to drive from scratch when she was 25 in 4 months, and she was appalling for 2 months, so it is very possible. Like me she is from the North which, mind you, makes her a safer driver...

Random

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YIzoLkStDM

ruicosta10

Lol @ the vid.... anyway I reposted this in the appropriate forum. Sorry 'bout that.

Irish and Proud

ruicosta10 wrote: »

Hi all,

You will surely think me a right fool for this predicament, but its getting to me a lot. Basically, I'm a 25 year-old bloke. I have never had any interest whatsoever in driving. I don't mind public transport all that much, I like walking, and I'm a bit responsibility-shy when it comes to the thought of having a car and taking my life and others in my hands when I get behind the wheel. Add to that the fact that my mates have always given me lifts when I'm stuck.

However, all of a sudden, I feel like I've missed the boat, and how embarrassing it will feel to have to have an L-plate on my car when I start driving (which I've decided to do). Not to mention taking lessons etc. I feel like I'm gonna have to be explaining myself to everyone who wonders why this wasn't done sooner. Can someone just lay out the process quickly for me here? How do I start off? Apply for a provisional? (BTW, I'm literally too gutless to ask family/friends... I've played it off to them that I already have my full license, and am simply saving for a nice car)

Cheers people.

...chill out man!!!

Sure I'm 35 and don't drive as of yet, but if I need to learn, so be it. What will people think of an L plate on my car??? Do I read like someone who cares? Anyway, half of these so-called "competent drivers" can't drive for nuts - like they don't seem to know what lanes are for, can't corner for nuts, drive inappropriately to the conditions (like ice etc), can't read signs (or lines for that matter), and some don't even know how to use a grade separated interchange FFS. :eek:

...just take your time mate - it's never too late - like you're only 25!

mikemac

Don't buy a car, get a motorbike! :cool:

jkgvfg

I started driving when I was 30 on a first provisional in a Ford Fiesta. Couldn't be bothered with a car for my 20's as I was living within two miles of work in Dublin and out most nights and incapable of driving.

Passed the test after 8 lessons and 1 year of driving, first go. Called it growing up - others called it getting married and being told to - and didn't feel any embarrasment, especially once I upgraded from the Fiesta!

hellbells

im 28 and learning to drive at the moment..im finding it a bit tough and yea i wish id done it earlier, but,hey, better late than never

iv 3 kids so i definatly need to drive and i know ill get there eventually (40 lessons so far) !!
its good to see am not alone in being a late starter...

markpb

I'm 27 and only started taking driving lessons recently (actually, I took a few and decided I had better things to spend my money on). No-one around me seems to care, not the driving instructor, not the people who do have their license, it's not a big deal. It helps that I live in Dublin so I don't need a car but I wouldn't see it as being something to be embarrassed about.

seanybiker

25 isnt to old ya fooker .Im 25. I do drive but now after reading your post i feel old ha ha. Your moly as old as the woman ya feel. Ah crap now im 30.
Seriously though. 25 is nothing boy. You are never to old to learn.

kwinabeeste

On my 27th birthday I said by the time i'm 28 i would pass the test. Did it 13 months. I didn't/don't need a car for work as i get public transport and car would take longer.

I did drive a bit at home, but nothing outside of the drive (big one). Got lessons at start, then took parents and sisters cars. Had 1st test in summer, but was a way for a month with work so couldn't do any practise and didn't get a pre-test. Still got lessons after that everynow and again. Passed on 2nd attempt.

If you want to you can do it!!!

Stark

ruicosta10 wrote: »

and I'm a bit responsibility-shy when it comes to the thought of having a car and taking my life and others in my hands when I get behind the wheel.

Sounds like you're one of the few people in Ireland who actually deserves the privilege of driving in that case It's just a matter of putting in the hours and gaining confidence. It'll be completely never wracking at first but the nerves will ease with time.

ruicost10 wrote: »

However, all of a sudden, I feel like I've missed the boat, and how embarrassing it will feel to have to have an L-plate on my car when I start driving (which I've decided to do). Not to mention taking lessons etc. I feel like I'm gonna have to be explaining myself to everyone who wonders why this wasn't done sooner. Can someone just lay out the process quickly for me here? How do I start off? Apply for a provisional? (BTW, I'm literally too gutless to ask family/friends... I've played it off to them that I already have my full license, and am simply saving for a nice car)

You've nothing to explain. Half my friends are in their late 20s and haven't learnt to drive yet.

Capt'n Midnight

25 ?

I can remember when the "magic age" for insurance was 26
any younger and you could not afford insurance

of course if you feel you are incapable of learning to operate a machine designed to be used by the general public then I would suggest you go with your instinct and keep off the road, there are far too many drivers out there lacking confidence

Stark

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

of course if you feel you are incapable of learning to operate a machine designed to be used by the general public then I would suggest you go with your instinct and keep off the road, there are far too many drivers out there lacking confidence

It's better to be a bit fearful of the prospect of operating a ton+ of metal in the early stages than to be completely feckless in my opinion. Confidence should come from preparation and experience, not from testosterone. It's a different story if you're one of the drivers who decide they're ready to start driving around everywhere on their own despite not having acquired confidence in driving.

the_syco

Hi o/

OP: I'm older than ye are, and I'm learning to drive. Didn't have the money to buy a car until now.

Capt'n Midnight

Stark wrote: »

It's better to be a bit fearful of the prospect of operating a ton+ of metal in the early stages than to be completely feckless in my opinion. Confidence should come from preparation and experience, not from testosterone. It's a different story if you're one of the drivers who decide they're ready to start driving around everywhere on their own despite not having acquired confidence in driving.

Oh yes you have to respect cars , they are the biggest preventable killer of 15-40 year olds

like I said in times past 25 year olds couldn't get decent insurance so a lot of people learnt to drive later

overconfidence is a killer and I'll be so glad when the 10% of the population that have self-certified themselves as drivers have either passed the test or are off the road,

I'll say it again cars are designed to be driven , not by the average person , but by the vast majority of adults. The BBC reckon you can learn to drive after 30 hours of instruction. In Germany if you fail three driving tests they send you to a shrink. It's not rocket science. Also it's going to take you ages to do a retest so if you fail it's just €30 and two hours wasted and try again next month.

As for being too old to learn
http://www.globalaging.org/ruralaging/world/2005/272nd.htm

no idea if he got his full license yet

the_syco

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

like I said in times past 25 year olds couldn't get decent insurance so a lot of people learnt to drive later

Many without a person in the car, and some just kept getting their provisionals renewed.

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

In Germany if you fail three driving tests they send you to a shrink.

In Germany you are thought in all conditions, at night time, in the rain, and given many hours of training. Here, you used to send off for it with 4 tokens from the back of a Cornflakes packet. Now, you must actually take a test to ensure you at least glanced at the RotR before they allow you on it.

Capt'n Midnight

the_syco wrote:

Here, you used to send off for it with 4 tokens from the back of a Cornflakes packet. Now, you must actually take a test to ensure you at least glanced at the RotR before they allow you on it.

That's totally unfair :mad:
Before the theory exam you didn't need 4 tokens , just waited two years and you were legally allowed drive home on your own even after failing your test. And the 78,000 or so who got a the license in the 1979 amnesty didn't need 4 tokens either. Nor people who just bought the license years earlier.

the theory test is a step in the right direction, but we still have what is probably the easiest test in the OECD and pass rates are aren't much over 50% (57.1% - but some centres test more people than others) still waiting times are only 2 months now , a huge improvement but still embarassing compared to 3 week in our neighbours)

And how come the private centres only have half the fail rate ???

/RANT