Do you think it's weird if someone doesn't know how to drive?

chanelfreak

danganabu wrote: »

Jaysus he might be better off starting somewhere a little quieter, the big apple can be quite busy!

Apologies! I meant the new year, not NY - I don't hate Donald Trump enough yet to inflict my husband's driving on him

Badly Drunk Boy

Medusa22 wrote: »

I'm 27 and I don't know how to drive...

Are you some sort of freak or something?!?!? :pac:

I'm 42 and I don't know how to drive or swim. I don't live in a city but the public transport options aren't bad (train, and various bus options), and I work barely a mile away from home, so I cycle or sometimes walk to work. Why would I need a car?

Tesco is fairly much on my way home from work (and Dunnes just a bit further) so I usually do a small to medium size shopping a few times a week. Then, the odd time, I get my Tesco shopping online. Family live nearby, and regularly complain that I don't ask them for lifts. If it was something particularly awkward I might, but that's very rare. Why would I?

I'd have no problem learning how to drive, and am very good at working machinery/computers/thingamajigs (being the ultra-intelligent man that I am), but I have no need for it at the moment so I've never made time to learn.

As for the swimming, I don't like water and I'm rarely near enough to water that swimming would be necessary.

Darkglasses

I swim maximum once a year, and never as a necessity or mode of transport. Wouldn't recommend it.

Shenshen

Darkglasses wrote: »

I swim maximum once a year, and never as a necessity or mode of transport. Wouldn't recommend it.

I don't know, it took me a while to not find it weird any more that there are a lot of people in Ireland who can't swim. Totally took me by surprise to begin with, to be honest.

We always had swimming lessons at school, from primary school onwards. And being from continental Europe, summers were spent in or near water if at all possible.

Darkglasses

Shenshen wrote: »

I don't know, it took me a while to not find it weird any more that there are a lot of people in Ireland who can't swim. Totally took me by surprise to begin with, to be honest.

We always had swimming lessons at school, from primary school onwards. And being from continental Europe, summers were spent in or near water if at all possible.

I had lessons at school too, but I'll never not be able to associate swimming in Ireland with freezing my arse off.

kylith

I'm in my 30s and am learning to drive now. I've lived in Dublin since I was 17 and never needed to learn how. I think it's more usual for city dwellers not to know how to drive.

I don't think it's weird. Learning to drive is very expensive and nerve wrecking!

I'm 26 and just started driving at the end of this summer. I got a few lessons three years ago, but had no interest and no car to practise on so just gave up. My brother got his license when he was 17, and my Mother drives... My Grandmother is 92 and has been driving since she was 17! So I don't really know why I left it so late. I grew up in a town so never needed to drive really, still would have been handy though.

I now live in Cork city on a bus route to work so don't really need a car. I had to attend my boyfriend's cousin's communion in rural Cork in May which is not on a bus route, so was pain in the arse to get out there. My boyfriend doesn't drive at all. So I think that's what pushed me to learn to drive and get a car!

I've been driving now since July and it's going good! Was extremely nervous at the start, I actually left the car at my Mother's house in Kerry for the first few weeks as I was scared of driving in Cork city. It was a good idea. Driving in Cork city is a bit scary for new drivers. I now drive to work most days. I've a colleague with a full license and no car to accompany me. She also has taken me out around Cork to practise driving a good bit. Went through the Kinsale road roundabout the first week of having my car up there, freaked!

Have the 12 lessons done and just got the date for my driving test today...last week of January. Hope the weather is okay.

OP I think the most important thing is having someone patient and calm to take you out driving. My Mother brought me out the first few times and she was a pain in the arse. Very nervous passenger and always shouting at me. My friend from work is great, she just sits there and advises me if I've any questions. It's nerve wrecking at the start but worth it!

Whitewinged

I don't drive either but since moving from Dublin a few years ago and with two young children, I regret not learning earlier and getting it over and done with because I think I'm getting a bit of a fear when it comes to driving now. The plan is to have it sorted by this time next year

Ruu

I learned about 4 years ago after putting it off for ages. The day after I got my full license, had to drive my wife to the emergency room. That was a trying day.

I don't think it is weird at all, I am more anxious when I am driving, it is nearly always stressful. I could get by with a bike probably but would make things more tricky. I only really use it to get to/from the airport or shopping that is too heavy for carrying on the bike.

libelula

Darkglasses wrote: »

I had lessons at school too, but I'll never not be able to associate swimming in Ireland with freezing my arse off.

Ah there's nothing better than pootering up and down the lanes of a warm indoor pool when you can hear the rain and wind hammering off the windows

pickarooney

Shenshen wrote: »

Nope, not weird at all. I was 37 before I learned to drive.
It really depends on where you grow up and if it's something you really need. We never had a car when I was growing up, and I had always lived in places where public transport was such that owning a car would have been a ridiculous and unnecessary expense. That only really changed once I moved to Ireland.

Btw, I am from Germany, and there are far more people over there who never bother learning to drive. Mostly because making your license there will set you back €3000 at least for the mandatory lessons. And also because unless you live in a remote village in Mecklenburg, public transport is usually widely available and much more affordable than a car.

Three grand? How many hours is the minimum? It's about 800 in France for the 20 hours.

rainbow kirby

I'm 31 and only started learning to drive this year. Never really needed to learn before because I've always lived in cities (Dublin and London) but I feel bad about leaving my husband to do all the driving on longer trips and with a little one on the way it's quite important that both of us can drive. Have already failed my test twice though because my nerves get me in the test situation, but I'm trying again in mid-January so fingers crossed! I really don't want to think about how much money I've put in so far - lessons in London are not cheap!

wakka12

I find it odd, 27 is young I wouldnt think anything of it. but some of my friends parents in their 40's,50's can't drive and I can't think of any reason why you just wouldnt be able to drive. Maybe preferring not to drive but you should have the ability to do so if you need to.

Medusa22

rainbow kirby wrote: »

I'm 31 and only started learning to drive this year. Never really needed to learn before because I've always lived in cities (Dublin and London) but I feel bad about leaving my husband to do all the driving on longer trips and with a little one on the way it's quite important that both of us can drive. Have already failed my test twice though because my nerves get me in the test situation, but I'm trying again in mid-January so fingers crossed! I really don't want to think about how much money I've put in so far - lessons in London are not cheap!

Best of luck with your test, third time lucky!

Wibbs

If you live in the city not so weird at all.

RayM

Hate when people take it upon themselves to decide that other people's life choices are 'weird'. It's a really useful skill to have, whether you actually own a car or not, but there's nothing weird about choosing not to drive. Having said that, I would hate not to have a car. I was without it for a day recently, when it was getting serviced, and it was a harsh reminder of how lazy I've become. Had to wait ten minutes in the rain for a bus. Urgh.

Medusa22

RayM wrote: »

Hate when people take it upon themselves to decide that other people's life choices are 'weird'. It's a really useful skill to have, whether you actually own a car or not, but there's nothing weird about choosing not to drive. Having said that, I would hate not to have a car. I was without it for a day recently, when it was getting serviced, and it was a harsh reminder of how lazy I've become. Had to wait ten minutes in the rain for a bus. Urgh.

I know what you mean, I missed the bus so I have been standing in the rain for the last 20 minutes, that's incentive enough to learn how to drive

FTA69

I'm in the process of learning how to drive and I'm sh*t at it, absolutely abysmal. I failed my test with only two minors (hit a major five minutes before the end) and to be honest I wasn't remotely prepared to be driving at the time after doing one of those intensive courses. I have to have a license before February and it's a horrible feeling hanging over my head. Work even gave me a car which is a brand new Toyota Auris. It's sitting outside my house and I'm not legally allowed to drive it. It's like being mocked the minute I open the door.

I hate driving.

Galwayguy35

I don't think it's weird but for myself growing up and living in a small village a car is essential.

I learned to drive a tractor at 13 and had my first car at 18, the parents never learned so I saw first hand how difficult it was relying on lifts.

As others have said it's a handy skill to have even if someone never wants to have a car, the older you leave learning to drive the harder it is IMO.

LDN_Irish

FTA69 wrote: »

I'm in the process of learning how to drive and I'm sh*t at it, absolutely abysmal. I failed my test with only two minors (hit a major five minutes before the end) and to be honest I wasn't remotely prepared to be driving at the time after doing one of those intensive courses. I have to have a license before February and it's a horrible feeling hanging over my head. Work even gave me a car which is a brand new Toyota Auris. It's sitting outside my house and I'm not legally allowed to drive it. It's like being mocked the minute I open the door.

I hate driving.

Bud, just move back home and get a provisional. Be grand.

To answer the OP, I think it's a bit strange for anyone who lives within Ireland outside of Dublin City centre to not know how to drive due to how much is almost ruled out if relying on public transport.* There are exceptions to this but that's general how I feel. I'd get if they can't afford the expense or whatever but to not even be able to operate one is strange.

*OK, you'll get anywhere you need to of you're willing to try hard enough but why ****ing bother when you just point a 20 year Micra in the right direction and shave hours off some journeys.

MadDog76

cowboyBuilder wrote: »

Not strange at all OP, I was 30 when I finally got my licence, and now I haven't driven for years and am terrified of going back on the road,
I have a licence but dont think I deserve it ! :O

You do have a horse though ........ right?

Diabhal Beag

I don't find who don't drive weird. Public transport can be great in urban areas/expense of owning a car can be very high. Two very good reasons off the bat.

It's the people that make no effort to learn at all that I don't understand. People who won't ever think about taking even a theory test. It's a pretty handy skill to learn and can add a huge amount of independence to your life. I know so many adults who rely on their folks to drive them everywhere because they live a half hour away from work or live in the arse-end of nowhere.

Whitewinged

wakka12 wrote: »

I find it odd, 27 is young I wouldnt think anything of it. but some of my friends parents in their 40's,50's can't drive and I can't think of any reason why you just wouldnt be able to drive. Maybe preferring not to drive but you should have the ability to do so if you need to.

My dad has never been able to drive because of his eyesight. He can see fine but he has some unusual thing wrong with his eyes which mean that glasses do not correct his vision. I suppose there could be many reasons.

One thing about driving though is that people tend to drive to places that you could easily walk to. I see a lot of people driving to the playschool and it actually seems like it would be more hassle to drive.

The Randy Riverbeast

I started learning to drive when I lived back in Ballybackwards but then started living in civilization and a car would be a hindrance as I would have to worry about where to park. Would have to get lessons to practice driving for the test and I can't afford them.

Rezident

No I think it's weird when people are so spoilt and entitled that they just assume that everyone in the world should drive and own a car! Too many cars already.

Diamond Doll

rainbow kirby wrote: »

I'm 31 and only started learning to drive this year. Never really needed to learn before because I've always lived in cities (Dublin and London) but I feel bad about leaving my husband to do all the driving on longer trips and with a little one on the way it's quite important that both of us can drive. Have already failed my test twice though because my nerves get me in the test situation, but I'm trying again in mid-January so fingers crossed! I really don't want to think about how much money I've put in so far - lessons in London are not cheap!

I think my sister must be on her fourth try now, and like you, has spent an absolute fortune on lessons! She's so frustrated, she's a very high achiever who had previously probably never failed any sort of test in her life. She's just gotten unlucky each time, and/or nerves got to her. She's 31 too, living in Dublin, she has no need for a car and no intentions of getting one but she's determined to pass the test even if she never uses her licence for the rest of her life!

jamesbere

I know how to drive but don't have a licence, don't need a car. Bus brings me too and from work. I will get one in time as I'm saving for one but it's not a pressing need for me at this moment in time.

jamesbere

Rezident wrote: »

No I think it's weird when people are so spoilt and entitled that they just assume that everyone in the world should drive and own a car! Too many cars already.

If we had better public transport, cars wouldn't be needed as much. The biggest mistake we made in this country was getting rid of so many train lines.

Sam Kade

What I find strange is people that keep using the word weird.

Shenshen

pickarooney wrote: »

Three grand? How many hours is the minimum? It's about 800 in France for the 20 hours.

24 is the absolute minimum required (it's a bit of an odd counting system, they count them as 12 double-hours). But you are not allowed to drive a car other than a driving school car with a fully qualified instructor next to you until you actually have passed your test, so if you need additional training hours, you'll have to pay for that. Average according to some websites I found is 30 hours. 3 of these double-hours have to be at night, and will cost more than the others.

Plus you have to take theoretical lessons before you can sit your theory test.

Plus you have to complete a full day of first aid training.

It all ads up.
If you only need the absolute minimum of hours, it comes to just under 2k, including all application and processing fees. But truth be told, I've never met anyone who got it that cheaply.

And if you fail your test, you'll have to take additional lessons and wait 2 weeks before you can take it again.
Fail it 3 times, you'll have to wait 3 months before you can sit it again.

Fail it 6 times, you'll be sent off for a physical-psychological assessment, to see if you should be allowed to re-try at all.
None of that is for free, either.