My driving history is somewhat of a standing joke amongst family and friends; I was the first out of my school friends (I believe) to start taking lessons, on the day of my 17th Birthday. 8 years on I am yet to be driving, whilst the later starters have been on the road for quite some time!
Five failed tests, 18 months in to my driving career I decided it might be best to take a bit of a break; this has actually been a far longer break than I anticipated (the driving instructors and examiners are rejoicing) but finally I feel like I’m at a point where I both want, and need to drive.
So why aren’t I? The simple answer is money. The cost of lessons, the cost of a car…the trial of having to compare car insurance (when I am clueless) and please don’t get me started on the cost of petrol, almost having a fit when I see friends and family fill their tanks!
And so I am torn…on one hand I am totally content to use the legs I was born with and scrounge lifts when needed,
but on the other hand I am fed up of always having to rely on others, needing colleagues to get me to work, not being able to go anywhere further than my town when I want to get out and if I ever want to leave home then I really do need wheels.
What would you do? Drivers, do you have any tips for me? Non-drivers, what is your stance on this?
To drive or not to drive…that is the question, and I NEED an answer.
I can see where you’re coming from, and your reasons for holding off are justified. That said, the minute I turned 16 I got my license and never looked back (oh the freedom of having your own wheels!) Of course, back then gas was so incredibly cheap compared to now and it was up to my parents to just add me on their car insurance since I was still a minor. So yeah, it was an easier decision for me.
Ultimately though, I’d say go for it I guess. Just make sure to get a fuel efficient car and have family give you lessons instead if that is an option. ; ) Good luck deciding!
I totally know what you mean, I did a shocking first test and it put me off for a couple of years i then passed and got out of the habit of driving, so I really haven’t driven much in the last 8 years at all. I’m a bit scared to drive now eeeek! So don’t worry, just do it all in your own time
dp
x
http://www.inanityandthegirl.com
This is my life. 90% of the time I don’t care. I can sleep on long car journeys, read on the bus and have magaritas whenever I choose. But the 10% of the time I care, I really care – like when I need to support a loved one and I can’t just drop everything and go. So this year is MY year because every time I turn around they make the bloomin’ thing harder. I make one concession, I’m switching to automatic. I bought lessons in advance to make me commit :S
I can’t imagine not driving. It opens up so many opportunities to you.
I can’t imagine choosing my home based on where public transport could take me. I don’t know what its like near you but where I live its a nightmare if you can’t drive.
C
xxx
I passed my test after 4 months of lessons, by sheer determination and bloody mindedness, because there was no public transport living where we did. My Dad paid for my lessons and bought and insured my first car partly because he was sick of dropping me off and picking me up all the time. AND being an only one, he only had to do this for me, not for siblings too.
Petrol was way cheaper back then, prices have gone through the roof this past few years. Insurance was high at first, but soon came down once I turned 21, then again when I had 5 years no claims under my belt.
I’d love a newer, posher car, but can’t justify the price tag, nor the increased tax/insurance at the moment, so shall continue to plod around in my little ancient Punto 😀
I hope you manage to find a way soon
Lucy xx
As someone who was at the younger end of the year most of my friends started driving before me. I also lived in a teeny village with practically zero transport links so getting a car and licence was a must for me. My parents were also keen as I took up a lot of their time going to various activities/parties. Mainly parties. I had a while where I couldn’t drive because I wasn’t well enough. I cannot stress how important it is to be focused on the task in hand when behind the wheel. My stressing over a snack led to me going into the back of someone at a roundabout.
Hmm, for what its worth I would say go and get your licence now. You can think about the car and additional costs of said car at our leisure then. The scary bit will be over and a good portion of the initial cost. Learning won’t get any easier so I say go for it now!
It really depends on where you live. I’m 20 and although I’d like a car, I live in the city centre, close to a train station and the whole town has really good transport links. Back when I lived at home, we lived in a tiny village with one bus an hour to town, but I still didn’t really mind. Having said that, if I still lived at home, I probably would have started driving by now…!
It took me 8 attempts to pass my driving test. That’s not something I admit to often. But I will say this. Experience in failing means at least have somewhere to start this time. And host the cost of lessons is necessary, just because you have learned to drive doesn’t mean you have to immediately do the insurance/ car thing. If it took you some time to save, would it be the end of the world? Go for it Laura, well worth doing, even of it isn’t something you use immediately all the time.
I so know how you feel! I didn’t pass until my 5th test, I was a nightmare! I even drove through a red light on one haha but they are difficult and you drive so differently in exams than how you do in your lessons! I wanted to give up but my mum made me carry on and I’m so glad I did because now I have so much more freedom. The cost is high but it feels so good when you finally pass. I hope you give it another go and good luck if you do xx
To drive or not to drive…definitely to drive! You can be spontaneous and just decide to go somewhere, anywhere
including places where there is no public transport. I live down a long lane so a car is an absolute necessity but I’m sure I would have a car wherever I was living.
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
I totally could not live without my car I was going to get rid of it a couple of years ago basically due to the things you listed but once I added up how much public transport costs and getting my shoes resoled with all the walking 😉 I decided their was not much in it.
I say go for xoxo
I’m so tempted to learn to drive, especially now that I’ve moved out of London. But I have the same doubts as you! Good luck if you decide to go through with it xxx
I can’t drive yet. I started having lessons a while back but then got a mortgage and couldn’t afford to keep it up.
I am going to have lessons after the wedding, I can’t decide whether to do a week crash course or book a couple a week.
I’ll probably still catch the bus to /from work as its easy enough, I just want a car for the weekends. I hate when I want to pop out for a bit with the girls and want to go home early without drinking, I just can’t afford to do it as it’ll cost me £10 to get a taxi home on my own! xx
As you know I only passed my test a few months ago and believe me it was an uphill struggle, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life by far. The learning was difficult, but patience was the key to getting better and eventually I did. The test thing is a bit of a stigma and very stressful, I wanted to pass so badly the first time and the second time, but it just wasn’t meant to be. I refused to give up and however stressful it was at the time, I can honestly say the day I passed my test I felt so incredibly different, proud and unbelievably confident for the first time in my life.
Money is just one of those things. I spent a good two grand on lessons alone (I know it’s a lot) and my car and insurance has cost near on the same over, so I’ve spent at least £4000 which to me is a HELL of a lot of money and has pretty much wiped my savings, but what it has given me is the freedom and courage to be so much more independent.
Good luck, I know you can do it xxx
I love just jumping in the car and getting where I want rather than having to wait forever to get a bus/taxi. Once you drive you wonder why you waited so long.
X x
If our county had the public transport links then I’d ditch my (beloved) car in favour of walking, cycling, buses or trains. As it stands there is NO WAY I could even begin to manage without my car. It costs a holy fortune to run.
If you have been managing for so long without one of your own then I’d say carry on as you are, no point diving into a money drain if you don’t need to.
Many people make bad choices of car which worsens the situation. You need a car in a low insurance group, good fuel economy and a reliable make.
Essay over!
I don’t drive and I am almost 29 – just the real need to drive has never arose. Although I probably will need to learn eventually it really isnt a priority right now – life has so much more to offer, I think im happy right now taking the train, bus and my own two legs and using my disposable income to enjoy life while I can!
Gems x
Fashion, Well Done
i’m a none driving driver, can’t afford a car. i passed when i was 26 so better late than never
Can I just say I am totally in line with your for and against arguments as another non-driver! Also, I think seeing my boyfriend would be a lot easier if I drove and camping is a NIGHTMARE without a car- when I am having a massive tantrum with my mammoth suitcase, tent, musical instruments trying to fit down the stairs at Baker Street station in London, that’s when I wish I drove! I should do it too!
i’m in a similar situation myself had lessons straight away, failed theory tests and practical tests, which completely knocked my confidence! But now I feel like I need to drive, just for the freedom, just knowing I can get up and go shopping when I want to (i live in the middle of no where) also the fact my theory certificate is about to run out and there is no way i’m doing that test again! ox
I really didn’t want to learn how to drive. I had no interest in learning but my mum offered to pay for half my lessons and my tests if I did it before I went to uni. I figured that was a good enough reason. Having passed, I drove a little then went to uni and didn’t drive for almost four years.
I’m now so glad I made the decision to learn. I didn’t appreciate it at the time or for a long while after but having moved home to the middle of nowhere I love being able to head off places easily. Even if it is something as simple as going to the cinema, seeing a friend or picking up groceries – all that is easier. I don’t have my own car, I steal my mums, I’m lucky. I will save up for my own soon though.
If I still lived in Manchester, where the public transport is amazing, would I want a car? Probably. There is such a sense of freedom. Knowing you can go anywhere at any time. Knowing you don’t have to wait on anyone.
I’d say go for it but with a new attitude. Work out what you were thinking when you failed and try to remedy that. Try again with confidence. Believe in yourself and know that you can succeed. Whether you want to drive now or not there may come a point where you either really want or need to be able to. Its better to be prepared at the end of the day.
Just my thoughts 🙂 if you decide not to I totally get it. SO much effort and SO much money.
xo
I’m 19 and only passed 2 months ago (I’m 20 in 3 weeks) and I kept stopping and starting for the same reason! I literally could not afford it at all but its so annoying knowing that other people can and I have to scrounge for lifts.. I feel your pain!
I also still don’t have my car until my dad comes to England which could be whenever – so I’m passed and still suffering public transport.
xx
I totally know where you’re coming from, I started my driving lessons when I was 17 but eventually had to stop because of exams, uni etc. as it was all too much to handle and whilst I was in uni I never needed a car in fact having one would have been more of a hindrance than a benefit but that’s completely changed now I’m back home!
The problem is now because it has been so long I’m almost scared to get back in a car and take lessons again and it’s become too expensive for me to even think about doing it all so I guess I’m stuck with public transport and using my legs :/
I do think I’ll eventually have to learn as it’s such an important skill not to have, so if it’s an option for you definitely go for it you won’t regret it xoxo
This really strikes a chord with me. I too started learning at 17, failed my test and lost heart. Then at 25 decided it was time I grew up. I was determined to pass that time, I failed again twice and it IS disheartening but you just have to keep trying. If you really want to do it, you’ll do it.
Two pieces of advice:
1. Get your theory done and out of the way as soon as possible then you can concentrate on the practical.
2. Ensure you have a car you can get insured on and someone willing to take you out in between lessons. I bought my own car before starting to learn as my Dad’s car was massive and I couldn’t get insured on it. I’d never have passed on lessons alone. Practice, practice, practice.
It’s hard work but totally worth it, gives you so much freedom. Good luck xx
Where I live in Australia (different states have different rules) you have to go through 3 different levels of provisional licences before you can get your “full” licence. I got every level on the day I was eligible. I can’t imagine not being able to drive. My opinion would be to learn how to drive and get your licence even if you don’t end up getting a car then you always have the option.
Laura
whitewinters.blogspot.com
I would definitely say do it. It’s a great skill to have and I love the freedom and not having to rely on others. You never know when you might need it. But, here in Australia I can’t imagine not driving and I think its different for me. The part of Sydney I live in has bad public transport. Also all my cousins that live in the UK say there is less need to drive over there.. I mean I might be wrong but thats just my experience. Also I can see how money could be a problem. I was one of the first kids out there getting a licence and now one of the only people that doesnt have a car. Also, I utilised my parents. When I was 16 and we all lived together and they would teach me for free!
I can’t drive either & I’m older than you! It’s just the money issue, I tend to save & travel (haha) then repeat. I want to learn before I have kids…If it was free I’d be driving 😉
T xoxo
Hmm I’m kinda equal parts driver, cyclist and pedestrian, so I get your general point! Luckily I have a fairly small car and have been driving for 9 years, so tax and insurance don’t skin me too much, and I also dont drive a lot so petrol isn’t a huge issue when compared with public transport prices. But I do hate driving, I must admit. Mostly cause other folk on the road seem to be ridiculously incompetent! Seriously nothing else can wind me up as much as getting in a car. BUT it’s a handy convenience really, if I need to pop to Tesco or give someone a lift home from work late at night 🙂
I know exactly how you feel, I passed my driving test last year, after 6 tests, but can’t afford a car because of the insurance/petrol so I have to bum lifts off people too. It actually sucks!
On the plus side, I can afford more clothes than those running cars, so it is all fair really 😉
I know exactly how you feel, I passed my driving test last year, after 6 tests, but can’t afford a car because of the insurance/petrol so I have to bum lifts off people too. It actually sucks!
On the plus side, I can afford more clothes than those running cars, so it is all fair really 😉
I know exactly how you feel, I passed my driving test last year, after 6 tests, but can’t afford a car because of the insurance/petrol so I have to bum lifts off people too. It actually sucks!
On the plus side, I can afford more clothes than those running cars, so it is all fair really 😉
I know exactly how you feel, I passed my driving test last year, after 6 tests, but can’t afford a car because of the insurance/petrol so I have to bum lifts off people too. It actually sucks!
On the plus side, I can afford more clothes than those running cars, so it is all fair really 😉