Do you drive?

I had two colleagues who didn’t. One had never learned because lessons were once unaffordable, and later - because she could easily walk or bus to children’s school/work, just didn’t feel the need. We do have fantastic public transport here, though.

The other had a licence but hadn’t driven for many years, having become very nervous in traffic. But has the same public transport as above.

I have driven since my early 20s and despite the v good PT locally, would frequently find it a huge inconvenience if I didn’t.
E.g. the former frequent visits to my elderly mother - 60 miles each way - would have taken 3 times longer by PT.

Ditto my current visits to dd for emergency one-off childcare - 3 of these recently because of violent tummy bugs. Also 60 miles each way, different direction. Would take at least twice as long by PT.

Having said that, thanks to our excellent (free!) PT, I use my car far less locally now.

SIL didn’t learn to drive until he was in his 30s, went to University in Central London and always lived in London so used buses and the Tube. When he moved out he learnt to drive. Miss and MzOops started driving as soon as they were 17.

I’ve only ever lived once in a town for a short while, we’ve always lived out in the country, no buses, so I would hate to have to give up my car.

No I don't drive.A big regret of mine.
When younger couldn't afford the expense and wouldn't have taken the risk of DH giving lessons with kids in the back.
When DS reached the age we considered it a life skill for any future career options.Taken for granted now with most jobs.
Looking back maybe it was the fear of failure also expense and never thought we would ever be in position for me to actually own a car.
A big regret now public transport reduced to minimum,approaching age and health issues.

I too passed my test in my teens in the 60’s - I had to pass first time as I couldn’t afford any more lessons - even although my parents didn’t and thought I was bonkers. I didn’t drive again until after I had left university except occasionally when I felt my boyfriend of the evening had drunk more than I was happy with.
Before I got my first car some years later, when I was teaching in London (a “banger”) I had another course of lessons and have driven ever since - up and down to Scotland to visit my parents, taking the children to Cornwall on holiday , and then latterly when Paw gave up driving because of dizzy spells after a heart operation.
I would never suggest non- drivers are spongers but do appreciate it if I am taking a non-driving friend out to coffee or lunch and she offers to pay for the parking or the coffee.
I don’t think people, especially non-car owners realise how expensive running a car really is even although it is an expense I would not do without as it maintains my independence.

I don’t drive now. I used to up until retirement 7y ago. I had my own car but that had to go. We only need one car really and spend half the year in Spain anyway where we happily walk most places or use public transport which is cheap, efficient and clean. Helps keep our carbon footprint down I suppose! I had intermittent vertigo with an ear infection for 18 months and lost my confidence big time. I might have a go this summer. Our grandchildren (too young to recall me driving) were astonished recently to know I could ha!

Why the divide yet again there s the feeling that non drivers lack something, are spongers who rely on others for lifts, lead limited lives (all have been implied in above posts)
No I don’t cadge lifts i m quite capable if getting around without My life has not been limited I ve lived overseas in two different countries and in a variety of places in U.K. and always managed to get out and about to where I want to go
Ive never had spare money for cars, lessons and all the expense that goes with being a car owner and in later years I have limited eyesight but I don’t feel I ve led any lesser life or am missing out than all you confident drivers
Why can’t there be pros and cons for both why can’t there be acceptance that some people can’t, won’t or don’t drive but can use another method equally as “exciting” and “independent”

Anyway rant over I m off for yoga on the beach and then a swim

When I learnt back in the early 70s it wasn’t usual for women to drive. My grand mother was horrified and then once I learnt my aunts and cousins all did. I wanted to be independent and not reliant on DH.

I have been driving since I was 17, have had my own car since 18 (not the same one obviously ?) Have driven in Europe, Australia and USA.

I cannot imagine not driving or sharing one car with DH.

I took my test at 18 - still driving. I enjoy driving less these days, the roads are so busy.
I couldn’t have worked without a car. The current round of hospital appointments would be impossible without a car.

All my female friends drive, except one. In the forty years I have known her, she has shown no inclination to drive, despite at one point having three children under five and nursery runs to do.
She is never short of lifts, family and friends accommodate her, so no need to learn now.
Her husband has spells of incapacitating back problems and I often wonder if it has ever occurred to her, the consequences of not being able to drive him to hospital visits.

I have driven for about 50 years. I love it.

My parents both drove as did DH's and we made sure all our children could drive - DD1 took 7 tries!

I understand our eyes alter as we age which is why driving at night becomes difficult.

I drive and enjoy it. I would much rather be the driver than a passenger. DH and I split long journeys but I do the majority.

I have a friend who drives but her DH doesn't and has never taken lessons. I think that is quite unusual.

I drive, and the only women I know who don't are those who've had to give up through infirmity.

I prefer motorways to scenic routes, judging that if I'm not driving fast enough for other users, they can just pass me. (I don't drive too slowly, but I do sometimes keep in the inside lane at around 60 every so often).

I like scenic routes when someone else is driving.

I passed my test at 20 and have been driving ever since and I enjoy it. Living in a village it is impossible to get anywhere without a car.
Several women I know do drive but won't because it is so much easier to have their husbands chauffeur them around, failing that their friends. One friend used to be responsible for ferrying six friends around, not all at the same time, but she was never able to go out for a meal and have a drink because she was always driving.

I’ve been driving since I was 17 - over 56 years. I’d be completely lost if I didn’t/couldn’t drive particularly as I live in the sticks with no public transport. I had a friend, a farmer’s wife, who only drove locally, probably about a circumference of 15 miles from the farm and never in a town . I worry about the day arriving when I can’t drive any more. Independence is a great thing. My Aunt reluctantly gave up her car keys at 94 by choice and felt she was missing a limb. She hated relying on others. I’ll be the same

I learned to drive forty years ago, but the last five years I stopped because DH bought bigger cars which I didn’t feel happy in and he was always more than happy to drive. When he became ill last year, I had to step up to the plate, get back in the driving seat and brave the city traffic to get him to various hospitals. Now, sadly, there is only me and I’m glad I have the car to fall back on, even though I pick my driving battles carefully. I’ve always had a motorway phobia and I don’t think, at my age, I will ever get over that now.

I have been driving since I was 17 living where we do with limited public transport it's very handy.
I don't do the long drives as my husband does not travel well as a passenger and in all honesty I am not so confident in his car as mine it's much bigger. I suppose I should drive his more to gain more confidence but for the trips I do alone my car is just so much easier to park even though I don't have all the fancy cameras on his does.

For those of you who have difficulty with night lights, I recommend anti glare specs. I bought a three style package from Amazon for around £12. Life changing!

I have driven since about twenty it's independence which I appreciate. I don't drive on motorways anymore too many drivers speed and it puts me off. I am not a good passenger though I admit that.
I did a car mechanics course at college when I passed my test. I knew my way around an typical engine but now they are all computerised. That's a different story but my husband has a classic car it's engine is still familiar. I expect to drive until I feel incapable to do so.

I don’t actually like driving but I drive because I have to. I tend to avoid city driving because they have a few weird rules here which I can’t remember about which lanes to use ( most visitors get into trouble with them,too). I haven’t had any accidents and tend to be a cautious driver because I have a lack of trust of other drivers. Having said that I don’t mind country driving and will drive 100s of kms out of the towns with music playing.

Yes I do. We still have a car each.
I though tend to stick to routes I am familiar with so when we go any distance, for instance down to Devon or Cornwall on holiday, my husband always drives.

I’m not a fan of public transport.
Nothing beats the freedom and convenience of being able to go where we like when we like rather than having to rely on bus and train timetables.

Incidentally, has anyone noticed a reduction in the number of cars on the roads recently?
I thought that with the increase in petrol prices, that there would be noticeably fewer cars around but that certainly hasn’t been the case around here (Home Counties).

I learned to drive in 1971 and passed my test just before my 18 th birthday.
Still driving now although I have never really enjoyed it. It is my freedom and independence.
I’m quite happy to be a passenger and never drive if DH is in the car. ( long story).
My mum never learned to drive.

I hope I never have to stop driving. I really enjoy it. We’ve lived in cities and in rural areas and it’s never been a disadvantage being able to drive.

My brother doesn’t drive and to my mind he lives a very small, closed-in life. He hasn’t seen our mother for many years because it’s too difficult by public transport. He says. ?

I hate driving a car and haven’t driven since just after I passed my test almost 30 years ago. I had a partner who drove for perhaps 7 of those years.

The occasional inconvenience is nothing to the cost and inconvenience of running a car in the city.

I drive and did so for a living for 20 yrs. I enjoy it but it’s becoming more of a chore now traffic is so heavy most of the time. I take myself off for a drive in the early morning sometimes so I can enjoy the drive without stop start traffic.