30 and can't drive

Tyrell Wellick

Nor have an interest in ever doing so.

Is this bad?

I've lived and worked in the middle of Dublin City Centre my entire life, so never had the need to commute a great distance.

Public transport does me.

Anyone else like this? Am I less of a man because of it?

Asmooh

It's your own choice, if you are happy without car and no need to have one.. then no it's not bad.

Nichard Dixon

You have limited your life experiences. That's up to you.

Dozen Wicked Words

Nichard Dixon wrote: »

You have limited your life experiences. That's up to you.

Or expanded life experiences by sharing transport with, and maybe interacting with some, of hundreds of different people rather than be isolated on your own, in a car. Hardly call that limiting life experiences imo.






I'd still prefer the anti social isolation of a car though.

aaakev

I learned to drive when i was able to see over the steering wheel, by the time i was 12 i could reverse park a trailer and found it very easy to learn how to drive. My uncle was like you, he never drove and never wanted to then had kids and moved out of town in his 40s and needed to learn, he had a horrible time learning and wished he did it earlier in the end.

Ill teach my own kids when they are a bit older because i think its a good skill to have even if you choose not to use it

the_syco

Tyrell Wellick wrote: »

I've lived and worked in the middle of Dublin City Centre my entire life, so never had the need to commute a great distance.

Best to learn when you can, rather than when you have to in a very limited time frame.

cantdecide

I have a colleague in his mid 40's who just started learning now- he's making a good fist of it and plans on taking his test as soon as possible but if it wasn't for his circumstances, he wouldn't have done it.

I have a mate in his early 30's who just decided it was time even though he didn't really have a real need at the moment but could see how it would be beneficial to him in time.

There are a few reasons to have a licence to make your life easier even if you don't have a car. I'd think the ability to hire a car on holiday or a van if you're moving house and that kind of thing. Altogether, if you feel no compulsion to learn to drive then don't let anyone pressure you. We all have our personal circumstance and priorities.

LeBash

I have 5 mates that either haven't learned or gave up the car. They all seem happy enough. The only problem is when a wedding or whatever hits, they need to scab a lift. I nevermind giving them a lift but they hate hanging around the next day while I sober up. That's when it must suck. Tough getting a bus from some obscure country estate in the middle of nowhere that seems to be in the in thing for events these days.

silverharp

in one way it sounds cool, you will save a lot of money ,if you are mostly a city person I dont see a huge problem. The only downside might be if it could affect a job opening or promotion at some stage in the future?

strelok

i'm in my early thirties and I can't drive but I'll be taking my theory test next year and starting the ball rolling after that. I don't see myself owning a car at all in the next 5 years, maybe even more than that but it's as well to get learning and have the ability and permission to use the roads just on the off chance.

seamusk84

Nah, learn to drive. It is a life skill that is very handy. You don't have to buy a car, just learn the skill so you can use it when necessary.
You can then rent cars on holidays and stuff. Also it will get you out of a lot of jams in the long term.

glued

I would learn how to drive. The older and later you leave it the harder it gets. It's a great skill to have and it can open doors for you. There isn't really a good reason not to learn and you will regret it when you're older IMO.

Pink Fairy

44 years of age, never sat behind the wheel of a car in my life, have neither the want nor the need to drive, I'm quite happy this way and don't feel like I'm "limiting" my life experiences

Rebel_Kn1ght

I don't have a car because I've no need for one at the moment. In saying that, I have a full licence and it has come in very handy in the past and I would advise that if you're in a position to learn how to drive then it's something i would recommend

Wanderer78

only learned at 30. should have done it years ago. cant go back without a car. has created more options for me. if you're happy not driving, so be it but it is very handy. cars are expensive to run though

karaokeman

I'm 24, don't drive myself, but I do have a provisional (which I've had to renew) and I intend on doing more lessons and taking my test within the next year or two (at most).

I'm doing a masters now so college is priority in my own finances, but I'd prefer not to put off having a full driver's licence much longer. Even now I feel a healthy amount of pressure to attain it at the earliest convenience.

Not driving sounds good in theory because while it may save you a lot of money there can be circumstances in life when it would be better, not necessarily to have your own car but even to have a full licence so you can rent a car/ drive someone else's if necessary, and, as said previously if job promotions demand it it's your own loss if that turns out to be a missed opportunity.

Tyrell Wellick

Cheers for the advice guys.

While the money I'd spend on driving could and will be put to better use, I take your points about just actually LEARNING to do it

Thanks

petes

Tried learning a few years ago, 35 now. To be honest I wasn't really doing it for me, an ex didn't live in town. Once that was over I stopped, was making decent progress too.

I know people always talk about doing things in the new year but I intend to learn then. Current circumstances mean I can't at the minute as I've other stuff going on. I do think even if you don't intend on having a car it's still a good thing to have!

Rebel_Kn1ght

Rebel_Kn1ght wrote: »

I don't have a car because I've no need for one at the moment. In saying that, I have a full licence and it has come in very handy in the past and I would advise that if you're in a position to learn how to drive then it's something i would recommend

Exactly, it's a lifeskill, like being able to cook. You may choose to eat out all your life, but it's still good to know how to do it.

Driving is the same, you may or may not own a car but the option to rent one on holiday, take a job where you need a license, or move away from public transport links - and I'm sure many other things, are denied to you unless you can drive.

This is where the US example is a good one, kids learn in school and get some practical, safe, learners experience at a young age. That way it's a much less daunting prospect than learning in your 30's or beyond.

It's a skill that has the potential to broaden your horizons.

Wanderer78

Candie wrote: »

This is where the US example is a good one, kids learn in school and get some practical, safe, learners experience at a young age. That way it's a much less daunting prospect than learning in your 30's or beyond.

we really are doing a bad job of preparing our kids for adulthood in our educational system!

Wanderer78

Wanderer78 wrote: »

we really are doing a bad job of preparing our kids for adulthood in our educational system!

Driving, cooking, basic household tasks, hygiene and healthy living, money management, and a million other life skills would be on the curriculum if I had my way.

That's a thread in itself though.

Alf Veedersane

Definitely would consider learning and getting the licence to have the option.

Did a lot of driving when I was home every weekend visiting but having to get rid of the 2nd car and insurance on Dad's car was so high so it was something that was put on long finger. Still there.

We don't need it as such and even with a 1-year old it hasn't really proved an issue but I intend to get my licence in the next year

NoCrackHaving

I no longer own a car as just can't justify the running costs for something that would be sitting there during the week but it's proving to be a complete nuisance at the weekends. As someone who loves hiking and hill walking I just can't do it anymore or only with great difficulty with things planned weeks in advance as I need to juggle bus timetables with trains and accommodation etc. no more just looking out on a Saturday morning and deciding to go climbing.

So not having a car is proving a real nuisance for me to be honest.

Wanderer78

NoCrackHaving wrote: »

As someone who loves hiking and hill walking

exact reasons why i cant go back to being without a car

Ursus Horribilis

I think you're better off learning how to drive when you're younger and feel more bomb-proof. I know some people who learned how to drive when they were in their late thirties and older and it seemed to be a far bigger deal.

Ursus Horribilis

NoCrackHaving wrote: »

As someone who loves hiking and hill walking I just can't do it anymore or only with great difficulty with things planned weeks in advance as I need to juggle bus timetables with trains and accommodation etc. no more just looking out on a Saturday morning and deciding to go climbing.

So not having a car is proving a real nuisance for me to be honest.

Would it be worth hiring a car for this? It'd still work out cheaper than owning one.

Eire Go Brach

KIDS. For me that was the only reason to start driving. I only learned at 35. Don't mind the age thing. The older you get the harder it is. I don't believe that to be true.

Just enjoy all the extra money you have. Drive when you need to. Your in town. So your sorted. Although it does open more opertunities in terms of traveling and weekends away. But it's certainly doable with out a car. But can make life easier.

Wibbs

Odus fell down wrote: »

I think you're better off learning how to drive when you're younger and feel more bomb-proof. I know some people who learned how to drive when they were in their late thirties and older and it seemed to be a far bigger deal.

For some I've noticed muscle memory past thirty seems to be far less malleable and trainable. Particularly in men for some reason. Over the years I've given very basic lessons to learners of a different ages and found this to be the case. TBH given a choice between trying to teach an average mid 30's guy or a mid 30's gal, I'd feel more confident that it would be generally easier with the latter. Just my very limited experience anyway. Funny enough on a very different subject I've read of a similar thing. Fly fishing instructors of all things, who found that it was far easier to teach fly casting to 20 years olds than 40 year olds. It would be interesting to hear from driving instructors to see what their take on it was.

Still though, unless you've some disability that precludes driving it is a learnable thing at any age, just might take a bit longer for it to become second nature.

Rabo Karabekian

I'm in a similar boat, OP, although I've arrived at a stage that I have pretty much no options for practicing driving. Obviously I'd be getting lessons, but does anybody have any advice on whether lessons are enough? I know it depends on lots of things, but is there any point in going for the test if you can't practice?

Galwayguy35

The old man never learned to drive so I saw first hand the disadvantages of living in the countryside and relying on lifts, even worse growing up in the 1980s when not as many people had cars.

I learned at 13 how to drive on a tractor and had my own car by 18.

As others have said it's a good skill to know even if you don't feel the need for it at the moment.

Seanachai

I'm over 30 and while I was driving since I was 11 including tractors and teleporters I never got my licence. It is kind of strange and I get a bit of flack for it from my family from time to time and I'm thinking about going for it in the Spring. I live in Dub and even if I had a car I wouldn't drive to work but I'd like the freedom to be able to get in a car and head down the country on the weekends.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Patrick Wheelock

You should learn to drive at the earliest possible opportunity.

A colleague of mine recently passed his test at 38. He took up lessons in January. According to him, hanging around with a few leftie non-drivers was one of the reasons why he was so slow to learn. These were the sort of people who are bitter towards anybody who owns a car, always going on about how great public transport is and forever preaching about "the environment". You know the type - they're the type who support Ruth Coppinger in occupying showhouses but call anybody who wants to buy such houses a "sheep" or "too mainstream".

Permabear

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

I guess I've lived in areas where it's still commonplace. It's a shame it's changed so much, it was something I always thought was very sensible.

I do wish schools prepared kids for life, not just further education. A life skills class, covering all the things I've mentioned above - and I'm sure some others I haven't thought of - would go a long way to turning out competent and confident adults.

On topic again, even if you have good public transport in your area, it's very liberating to know you can get in your car at any time, and go anywhere you want. There's a real freedom in having your own transport.

I'm 35 and only learned / got my licence in the past year.

Looking back I wish I had done it sooner - trying to get enough practice to pass a test before a baby was born was additional unnecessary stress on me and my wife.

seamus

I'd never say you have to, but if nothing else for the moment it's an extremely useful skill to have. Cars are a primary mode of transport and will continue to be so for another 30-50 years. So much like in 1850 it was very useful to know how to ride a horse even if you didn't have one, knowing how to drive a car is similarly very useful.
By the time my grandchildren are approaching adulthood, driving a car will be about as useful as knowing how to ride a horse, but until then I would encourage most people to learn by the time they're 30, even if they don't see a need to.

Even for "world traveller" types who would pride themselves on living green and sustainably, having survival skills, etc - I would consider knowing how to drive a pretty essential survival skill, as it could be the difference between getting yourself out of a warzone or natural disaster, or being caught up in it.

Alf Veedersane

seamus wrote: »

I would consider knowing how to drive a pretty essential survival skill, as it could be the difference between getting yourself out of a warzone or natural disaster, or being caught up in it.

Licence not required.

Dial Hard

seamus wrote:

I would consider knowing how to drive a pretty essential survival skill, as it could be the difference between getting yourself out of a warzone or natural disaster, or being caught up in it.

As I said in the Ladies Lounge thread on the same topic, knowing how to drive is like knowing how to swim - absolutely everyone should be able to do it, whether they plan to regularly do so or not.

KwackerJack

Lucky you......Imagine the amount of money your saving!!

Fuel, servicing, tax, insurance, NCT, general maintenance, speeding fines etc

Seanachai

KwackerJack wrote: »

Lucky you......Imagine the amount of money your saving!!

Fuel, servicing, tax, insurance, NCT, general maintenance, speeding fines etc

There is that, I hear it from my brother a lot about how faults sneak up on you and the rule always seems to be is when you get a bit of cash something will go wrong and it'll disappear into the car

professore

I lost out on a really good job once with a company car because I didn't have a driving licence. I'd say learn to drive and get a driving licence - but don't buy a car if you don't need one as they cost a fortune.

My mum lives on her own in the countryside, never learned to drive, and my dad did all the driving. Now she depends on the goodwill of neighbours to do shopping etc for her as both of us live 100+ miles away.

It's a valuable worthwhile skill to have.

Dodge

Patrick Wheelock wrote: »

A colleague of mine recently passed his test at 38. He took up lessons in January. According to him, hanging around with a few leftie non-drivers was one of the reasons why he was so slow to learn. These were the sort of people who are bitter towards anybody who owns a car, always going on about how great public transport is and forever preaching about "the environment". You know the type - they're the type who support Ruth Coppinger in occupying showhouses but call anybody who wants to buy such houses a "sheep" or "too mainstream".

Is there literally no thread on boards that someone won't try and make political?

KwackerJack

Seanachai wrote: »

There is that, I hear it from my brother a lot about how faults sneak up on you and the rule always seems to be is when you get a bit of cash something will go wrong and it'll disappear into the car

Indeed, my neighbor skipped out on a €600 timing belt change.....a month or so later I was towing his jeep back after the belt snapped!

It's OK now....after he paid 2.5k for the privilege!

Unless you have to don't!

smash

Without a driving license you can't buy a Porsche when you hit your mid life crisis!

Sleepy

Seanachai wrote: »

There is that, I hear it from my brother a lot about how faults sneak up on you and the rule always seems to be is when you get a bit of cash something will go wrong and it'll disappear into the car

I wish it went that way for me. The likelihood of something going wrong with any car I've ever owned has always had an inverse relationship with the balance of my bank account!

jobless

my mum learnt in her fifties and still is a confident driver, now in her 60s, i definitely think its something that gets harder as you get older... i think most people who havent learnt by 40 wont learn at all.
As people say its a life skill but they do suck up at lot of cash!

mzungu

OP I was in your position (although I was 27 when I started) and once you get a few lessons you will be fine. It is worth learning how to drive as you never know when it will come in handy.

ancapailldorcha

I'm 28 and I intend to learn soon. However, I was wondering if it's something that can atrophy or is it more akin to riding a bicycle in that you never really forget how to do it.

ancapailldorcha

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I'm 28 and I intend to learn soon. However, I was wondering if it's something that can atrophy or is it more akin to riding a bicycle in that you never really forget how to do it.

You don't forget, you're a little diffident for a few minutes but then it comes back. That was my experience after not driving for six months, and also for driving a right side drive stick shift after using an automatic left side drive for years.

mzungu

Candie wrote: »

You don't forget, you're a little diffident for a few minutes but then it comes back. That was my experience after not driving for six months, and also for driving a right side drive stick shift after using an automatic left side drive for years.

Yep, I would find the same. Even after long breaks from driving its amazing how muscle memory just seems to kick in as soon as your back in the driving seat.

Nichard Dixon

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Or expanded life experiences by sharing transport with, and maybe interacting with some, of hundreds of different people rather than be isolated on your own, in a car. Hardly call that limiting life experiences imo.

You've answered the question of whether one should drive everywhere, which is not the subject of the thread. You could be able to drive without always driving. Maybe you would sometimes drive, sometimes take public transport, as the situation called for. I've had interesting meetings with people on Belarussian trains, for instance, but have also had nice drives. I've been able to contribute to people by being able to drive.