To begin driving again at the age of 76?

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We can certainly be our very own worst enemies. If anyone allows their partner to drive them around all their life, when why expect things will miraculously change at a later stage.

Same for housework, cooking, shopping, cleaning. Either you base your relationship on equal partnership, with each having their particular strengths of course, then it is not going to change by miracle upon retirement.

There is no way DH could make me do anything. I drive all our cars, big and small, but mainly drive my own.

If DH is less keen on driving but constantly moans when you do drive, then the simple solution is to refuse to drive with him in the car, but make sure you have your own set of keys tucked away somewhere he doesn't know of.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists offers assessment sessions for older drivers. If they say you are safe to drive, even if you may want a few brush-up lessons for reassurance, then it will be much less difficult for him to moan.

get a good mature driving instructor to take you on a thorough assessment.
then be guided by them.
good luck whatever you decide, you will be ok.

When we ritired my husband made me get rid of my Mini. Worst thing I ever did. Realised he wasn’t keen on me driving bigger car.
Many years have passed. Recently moved and husband not keen re driving so I feel I should try again.
Went fora lesson before Covid and he said nothing wrong with my driving. Took husband out and all
he did was . moan. Very off putting.
Gearing up to have another go. So in same position as you. Will go out on own.
You can PM if you wish.
Good Luck

Thank you all so much for your replies - much appreciated. You've given me a lot to think about.

A refresher course is a great idea Genevieve and will give you time to build your confidence. Good luck.

See an optometrist. Book a few driving lessons. Maybe an automatic car?

If you go on line to the gov.uk website, you can take a practice theory test and hazard perception tests.

It might give you some idea of how much catching up you need to do.

It doesn't sound as if you really want to drive, you could have some refresher lessons to see how you get on, but I think I would sell the car and use that money and the money you save from not running a car (tax, insurance, petrol, maintenance) to pay for taxi's when you need the use of a car.

There are a few things to consider:

1. Your optician has said your eyes are good enough to drive, but it sounds as if you still have some struggles.

2. Cost is a big one. Yes, it is expensive to take transit or to use a taxi, but there are also substantial costs for insurance, MOT, road tax, maintenance, etc., for a vehicle.

I would also be in favour of your booking a refresher course for driving. Not everyone ages at the same rate and whether an older person can keep driving or start driving is very dependent on the individual. (My father's godmother was still driving at 100 years old. She drove all her friends to their appointments as she was the only one who could still drive. She lived in a seniors' facility but that's really only because she was a widow and was living on a remote farm that's difficult to access, and her sons were concerned about something happening and help not being able to reach her. She was very active and only passed away as a result of complications during surgery. I think she lived to be close to, if not already, 101.)

I agree with all the advice so far.
A further point is that you may need to drive in stressful situations eg( sorry) to take your DH to hospital in emergency if an ambulance can’t get there quickly.
Parking is another skill to practise. I know I get stressed if I cannot find anywhere to park, or have to walk a long way once parked.

oodles, this idea that 'just driving locally is fine' is just not correct. Children are much more likely to run across the road near home, than far away on the MWay.

I would think very carefully before you get behind the wheel. You have never enjoyed driving and it's much busier now. You have to consider not only your safety but the safety of others too.

I am still driving fairly long distances at 75 but I am finding people take risks more now which could result in an accident. I have had some very scary moments recently.
Unless you feel totally confident to drive again I would also suggest taking cabs.

I agree with MOnica If you had been a confident/ good driver 20 yrs ago, then go for it. But you weren’t.
I drive most days. I didn’t stop in lockdown as I had people relying on me.
But, imho the quality of driving has changed a great deal.
Plus there are 5 million more cars on the road than 20 years ago.
I your situation I would rely on taxi's

a widowed relative who had never driven learned to drive at 70. Why not have some lessons, to bring you up to date, if you might drive on the motorway have some motorway lessons too.
Then get a review of your driving after a while www.iamroadsmart.com/guidance-for-older-drivers
It is perfectly acceptable to just drive locally, or from home to the hospital or a friend's house, mainly on quiet roads, long distances on busy dual carriageways are not
compulsory, nor is driving at night
If you are still not happy, not much lost apart from money,

No criticism, but I know several women who have 'let' their husband drive all the time- and then find they have to start again much later. Worse, those who then say 'oh but in an emergency, I could still drive' - last thing you want to do in an emergency is to have to drive after not doing so for so long.

So, definitely a couple or more lessons with a driving instructor to assess how you are getting on, and to give you confidence.

I would say that a refresher coursee was essential before you start driving again.

During lockdown, whatever the restrictions I made sure that I drove my car for an hour or so each week, to keep, not so much my hand in, as my eye in and, even then, I found my first long distance drive on motorways and in fast traffic quite a strain.

Friends who have not driven for a period of months, or a year due to COVID or other ill health have said how very difficult it was to get back to driving, again, mainly because their visual judgment of road conditions and speed had deteriorated.

You haven't driven for 20 years and seem never to have been a confident driver. I think you have a very steep hill to climb.

I would first get a driving school instructor to take you for an assessment drive with you, but, on balance, I think your chances of getting back to driving and driving confidently are virtually non-existent - and unconfident drivers can be a danger on the roads.

Please take a refresher course, good luck!

I think there are quite a few negatives - your eyesight, the 20 year gap, never driving your car and your confidence
Traffic has changedworsened just about everywhere in the last 20 years and the antics of other drivers sometimes make my hair stand on end.
However, I appreciate the freedom being able to drive gives me at 74- but although I have never stopped since I passed my test at 17 however I noticed after lockdown how it all felt a bit strange- and had to let "muscle memory" help me on my first outings especially on the motorways.
Some refresher lessons are essential and maybe even some sort of assessment . If it does not work out you will save loads of money not running a car and there are always minicabs!

Whilst your Optician has confirmed that your eyesight condition renders you fit to drive he/she cannot assess your confidence or general ability to drive.
In your position I would book the refresher course and let the driving instructor make the ultimate decision, they will know if you are safe and confident to drive after all this time.

You won’t know how you will get on until you try, I think you are very brave but if the optician says you are fit to drive then by all means take a refresher course, but in my own situation I gave up driving quite a few years ago due to leg probs, I found that my reactions weren’t as fast as they once were so I thought Nah not for me I’m quite a few years younger than you are, my husband also has pc and other health conditions , we take taxis to hospital, he does drive too , i do think though to consider driving you have to be confident as it’s not all about you you have to consider other drivers too, ( I don’t mean that patronising at all) so different now driving to years ago many more vehicles and lot of angry drivers.

I have only stopped driving once for 3 months when I had quite a serious eye operation. I started again once my sight was good enough. I do still drive regularly local and long distance motorway driving but find I don’t drive at night if I can avoid it. I’ve been driving since 1978.

Maybe try a few refresher lessons and see what you think. The traffic has increased a lot over the last 20 years but I don’t think you’re too old to try again, rather do you want to do it enough

Just to add I still have a valid driving licence as I have continued to renew it.