26 yrs old and not driving.

IrishExpat

Thread title says it all. All 26 years of me and I haven't bothered to sort out this driving license yet.

In my defence I've been living in cities where the public transport usually runs well, so there's been no real pressure for work or social.

I probably should have just had it out of the way a few years back when it was cheaper/handier, and did have the provisional but then let it run out.

Now I'm seeing a lot of positions where they state a driving license is advantageous and can see the benefits if I want to head for a weekend away well away from trains, bus routes ... but I'm not 100% sold on it.

+ must have saved a small fortune over the years with no car to maintain ...

Have at it AH. Any other late-bloomers with this whole driving scene?

Afroshack

IrishExpat wrote: »

Thread title says it all. All 26 years of me and I haven't bothered to sort out this driving license yet.

In my defence I've been living in cities where the public transport usually runs well, so there's been no real pressure for work or social.

I probably should have just had it out of the way a few years back when it was cheaper/handier, and did have the provisional but then let it run out.

Now I'm seeing a lot of positions where they state a driving license is advantageous and can see the benefits if I want to head for a weekend away well away from trains, bus routes ... but I'm not 100% sold on it.

+ must have saved a small fortune over the years with no car to maintain ...

Have at it AH. Any other late-bloomers with this whole driving scene?

Same age, same situation. I never needed it in Dublin and I need one even less now I'm in London.

Ruu

Learned at 30, loads of people I know still haven't learned. I was led to believe I was the only one by friends as well. Listened to an interview with Cillian Murphy about Peaky Blinders, only started learning to drive. Seems common enough with rich and famous as well.

Saipanne

IrishExpat wrote: »

Thread title says it all. All 26 years of me and I haven't bothered to sort out this driving license yet.

In my defence I've been living in cities where the public transport usually runs well, so there's been no real pressure for work or social.

I probably should have just had it out of the way a few years back when it was cheaper/handier, and did have the provisional but then let it run out.

Now I'm seeing a lot of positions where they state a driving license is advantageous and can see the benefits if I want to head for a weekend away well away from trains, bus routes ... but I'm not 100% sold on it.

+ must have saved a small fortune over the years with no car to maintain ...

Have at it AH. Any other late-bloomers with this whole driving scene?

I'm 33, and have never driven. I don't need one.

sitstill

I started learning at 28 and passed my test at 29. Never had an interest before but now I wouldn't be without the car.

Chancer3001

Buddy is 30 lives at home, doesn't drive. Has to get a lift to work every day. And home again

dodderangler

IrishExpat wrote: »

Thread title says it all. All 26 years of me and I haven't bothered to sort out this driving license yet

All 26years? Sure you can't drive till 17 anyway so realistically it's all 9 years of being legally able to drive that ya havint learned

The_Valeyard

Only learn when you need to.


A car is a f*cking black hole when it comes to money.

biomed32

27 and still not driving, I walk, cycle and use public transport to get anywhere although I agree with you, a lot of positions seem to want people with drivers licences but getting your licence and a car have become unbelievably prohibitive

Banjo String

My granny is 89. She's never driven a car in her life either.

She knows how to bake good soda farrells though op.

Chin up, every cloud and all that.

wretcheddomain

IrishExpat wrote: »

Have at it AH. Any other late-bloomers with this whole driving scene?

Ha, that should be the least of your problems.

I know of a "man" in his mid-30s who gets his weekly shopping done for him by his elderly parents - and he lives and works near several shops.

I also know of another "adult child" who, also in his mid-thirties, asks his mother to make & wrap sandwiches for him the night before he goes to work.

So not knowing how to drive is perfectly normal when you compare it to the real extremes I've just outlined.

toastedpickles

I'm 23 and have two cars


I'm great :pac::pac:

relax carry on

Started learning at 29, passed at 30. Only learned because I needed to get about in a town with poor public transport. Always lived in areas before that with good public transport. It's no big deal really.

Ice Storm

I got my licence in my early 20s but didn't get my first car until I was 30 (a couple of months ago).

I didn't need a car because I used public transport. I don't really need one now tbh but it's nice to have the freedom.

I'm glad I learned to drive when I was younger though because it would be a pain in the ass to start off now. Lots of people do it though.

dutopia

I got mine at 29, which is still consider late by social standards. I got it in South Korea where the whole procedure was easier - I then exchanged my license when I returned to Ireland. I'm so glad I'm driving now and can't imagine not having a car. I think the main reason is because I have a young baby... I could never rely on any other form of transport if she was sick or something.

IrishExpat

Any perspective from the wimmin? Guy 1) we can go the the cinema ... meet you there or we'll take the bus. Guy 2) sure I'll collect you at 8. Can see a slight head-start with option 2.

jamesbere

I'm 29 and still not driving, I'm ten minutes away from work on the bus and have an aldi and super value within ten minutes walk. Saving for a car alright but I'm in no rush.

anncoates

Didn't learn until I was about 32. Had no need to before then so wasn't bothered.

The One Doctor

I started driving at 31, it's incredibly useful. I never bothered with those stupid manual cars though. Automatic is a lot handier.

Tail Docker

My old lad never drove a car, didn't like them or want one. I started driving at 17. Driving is an essential in the countryside, in the city, not so much.

obezyana

Started driving at 28 as i never needed it before but now the car would be the last thing id want to give up. There is a nice of freedom in owning a car, you can just get in it and off you go to where ever

Copa Mundial

Started learning to drive when I could reach the tractor pedals, got the full license when I was 17. I've got growing up on a farm and living in a rural area to thank for it.

Different strokes, of course. I spent a small while in Dublin last year and found that having a decent public transport network nearby was really, really great. A car would have been a complete waste of money and effort for those few months.

LoganRice

never too late to learn

kwestfan08

Passed the test at 23. Felt like a late bloomer tbh as I was one of the last of my friends to get the license. Bit different from ye as I'm in the country so car is essential but even so it never hurts to know how to drive.

obezyana

queasy_f wrote: »

Kind of pathetic not being able to drive at your age to be honest. The fact that you made a thread about it here shows that you think so too. What are you scared of?

Ah here thats a bit harsh, some folks dont need cars some do, some like to have car some don't. Whatever the case i wouldn't call it pathetic

IrishExpat

'Pathetic', is a bit strong, no? Correct, I made the thread to gauge if I was in fact in the minority and from the responses so far, we're all pathetic not being able to drive before whichever age you've decided is the right one. I could book a theory test tonight and be driving in under 6 months, but there's no pressure/need to just yet. Thanks for the previous responses all.

edit: poster used a bit of self-moderation and deleted previous thread. Nevermind.

Filmer Paradise

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Only learn when you need to.


A car is a f*cking black hole when it comes to money.

But you don't have to buy a car the minute you learn or pass your test !

Agree with you about cars being a money pit though.

tim3000

I can drive I just cant pass the test. I am 26 as well, deeply regret starting the whole thing. OP If you are gonna do it keep going even if you fail the test two or three times (like me).

GalwayGirl26

Bit younger then you, but still not driving and it's really getting to me. I'm a teacher and have to get the bus with the kids So not cool.
It's just such a massive expense for something that I suppose isn't 100% a necessity.

LaVail

I think all people should learn to drive while young and do the driving test. It does no harm to have knowledge and understanding of the rules of the road and how to drive properly even if you have no intention of buying/owning a car.

If you are going to learn OP I suggest putting time and care into it and do it right. Too many people are complacent behind the wheel.

Galwayguy35

If you live in the city it's easy enough to manage without learning to drive IMO, but being a bogger boy like me it's impossible to manage without one.

Friend of mine never learned, the wife used to drive him everywhere, now he is divorced and can go nowhere.

Filmer Paradise

GalwayGirl26 wrote: »

Bit younger then you, but still not driving and it's really getting to me. I'm a teacher and have to get the bus with the kids So not cool.
It's just such a massive expense for something that I suppose isn't 100% a necessity.

It might not be an outright necessity in your life right now, but some day it might be.

I'll be getting my kids to drive & get their licences as soon as is legal.

Having a driving licence is an absolute must these days.

Summer wind

I started driving at 22 and passed my test first time at 25. I love driving and would never be without my car. The freedom is fantastic.

obezyana

Filmer Paradise wrote: »

It might not be an outright necessity in your life right now, but some day it might be.

I'll be getting my kids to drive & get their licences as soon as is legal.

Having a driving licence is an absolute must these days.

Im doing the same iv already told them their 18th Bday present will be a car as long as by then they have their full licence and they must learn how to service the car so they dont end up sending a fortune on mechanics and parts.

petes

Filmer Paradise wrote: »

It might not be an outright necessity in your life right now, but some day it might be.

I'll be getting my kids to drive & get their licences as soon as is legal.

Having a driving licence is an absolute must these days.

For who? You, or are you referring to everyone?

OneArt

24, I learned to drive and had a provisional. Moved to Germany where there is absolutely no need to drive if you live in a city.

I f*cking hate driving. Sure, I'd have more freedom to move but enjoying a spontaneous drink would be impossible. Plus the amount of money I'd spend on the thing, including the tax, insurance etc... Just can't be bothered with it. A monthly train ticket is much less hassle.

The only time I'd get a car is if I lived out somewhere remote. I love living in the city though so I can't see myself moving to the sticks any time soon.

Highflyer13

Had 2 cars and now I have none. Doesn't really bother me too much except the odd morning going out the door in the pissings of rain or when I want to go for the odd weekend drive. Great on the pocket I must say.

yosser hughes

Filmer Paradise wrote: »

It might not be an outright necessity in your life right now, but some day it might be.

I'll be getting my kids to drive & get their licences as soon as is legal.

Having a driving licence is an absolute must these days.

No it is not. In fact it's less needed now than ever before.
I have a licence but got rid of my car 2 years ago.

Filmer Paradise

petes wrote: »

For who? You, or are you referring to everyone?

Pretty much anyone.

I think some form of driver training should be on the school curricculum TBH.

Everyone should at least try to get their licence as soon as possible. You never know your circumstances a few years down the line.

Money laid out on getting your licence is a good investnent in my book.

As I said before, you don't have to buy a car the minute you pass your test.

I got my licence in my teens, but didn't buy my first car 'till I was in my mid '20s.

Filmer Paradise

yosser hughes wrote: »

No it is not. In fact it's less needed now than ever before.
I have a licence but got rid of my car 2 years ago.

You're missing my point altogether.

I'm not saying everyone should own a car.

I'm saying that everyone should learn early & try for their licence as soon as they can.

IrishExpat

IrishExpat wrote: »

Thread title says it all. All 26 years of me and I haven't bothered to sort out this driving license yet.

In my defence I've been living in cities where the public transport usually runs well, so there's been no real pressure for work or social.

I probably should have just had it out of the way a few years back when it was cheaper/handier, and did have the provisional but then let it run out.

Now I'm seeing a lot of positions where they state a driving license is advantageous and can see the benefits if I want to head for a weekend away well away from trains, bus routes ... but I'm not 100% sold on it.

+ must have saved a small fortune over the years with no car to maintain ...

Have at it AH. Any other late-bloomers with this whole driving scene?

I cycled everywhere until I was 25/26 then got a crappy POS car to get going.

My advice would be to get the licence, drop a couple of G to buy a 1L Opel Corsa or something similar.

It opens up your options and gives you a richer feeling of freedom, as pompous as it sounds.

Plus you never know, it could save your life sometime having a car to hand.

seamusk84

Agree that a car can cost a lot of money. I learned to drive and got my license at 21 as had to have a car for work. At 28 I then sold my car as started work in the city centre and traffic was too bad. Instead I got a motorcycle license to cut through traffic.

I would agree with previous posters and say that you don't have to buy a car to learn to drive. Driving is actually a really useful and cool skill to have, think of it as like learning a new language. You never know when you might need to do it.

DAFbus

Learning how to drive gives you MASSIVE independance and freedom. Once you have a car you will never look back and think "how the hell did I manage without one".

Its such a hassle not having one when you're a busy person.

Filmer Paradise

obezyana wrote: »

Im doing the same iv already told them their 18th Bday present will be a car as long as by then they have their full licence and they must learn how to service the car so they dont end up sending a fortune on mechanics and parts.

Steady on there. I won't be buying them cars!:pac:

Pinch Flat

Chancer3001 wrote: »

Buddy is 30 lives at home, doesn't drive. Has to get a lift to work every day. And home again

It's a kick in the hool he needs, not a drivers licence

Scarinae

I'm 28 and haven't got a driving licence, but I don't really need one in London. I will go back to lessons at some point but right now it's not my priority.

Rubberchikken

I just paid 600 euro today for some chain to be fixed in my car.

I hate the darn thing:(:(
Tbh wished i never owned a car or learned to drive for that matter.

Op sorry for rant.
Learn to drive if you really want. If you don't, dont worry about it. Age has nothing to do with it.

Filmer Paradise

Filmer Paradise wrote: »

Pretty much anyone.

I think some form of driver training should be on the school curricculum TBH.

Everyone should at least try to get their licence as soon as possible. You never know your circumstances a few years down the line.

Money laid out on getting your licence is a good investnent in my book.

As I said before, you don't have to buy a car the minute you pass your test.

I got my licence in my teens, but didn't buy my first car 'till I was in my mid '20s.

Agree 100%. Started driving at 18. Didn't really need a car at all then but i love cars and just wanted one. Only used it to go in and out to school at first (would have been quicker walking), then in and out to my summer factory job (they had a free local bus service which would have dropped me 5 mins from my front door) and the odd road trip.

Overnight I ended up going from that factory job to a new career which required me to travel constantly. At least 80 mile return journeys everyday and did so for 5 years. Moving 30 miles from the city to the country didn't help either.

The independence alone is worth the hassle of getting your license ASAP

long_b

Learned mid 30s. Sooner is better but no panic.

SeaDaily

Rubberchikken wrote: »

Tbh wished i never owned a car or learned to drive for that matter.

Saying you wish you never learned to drive makes no sense at all. Essentially you wish you could lose a skill that you have? wat.

thefishone

47 and never learned, no reason to.