Do you drive?

My mother learnt to drive in the early 1950s, when my father bought the first family car. He had learnt during WW2.

I learnt in my late 20s when I had a husband who travelled a lot and 2 small children.

I have only ever had one friend who did not drive, although my DDiL, although she has passed her test doesn't drive, which I think is very hard on DS because he has to do all the driving, including all long journeys. However DGD is 15 so in a year or two she will be able to learn to drive and take some of the pressure off her DF

Nanbumble70 Driving's a skill we need to keep using daily to maintain confidence. I absolutely agree, that is why although we do all long journeys in DH's car, and he is happy to drive all the time, I will always do one leg of the journey and earlier today drove from Yorkshire to Oxfordshire after a weekend with DS and family.

Yes I drive but have never done the motorway. I did not learn to drive until I was 45 years of age and that was after 8 attempts to pass the test. They have made the test harder now so I do not know if some people will just not bother

I have driven since I was 18 but do find I am more nervous than I used to be - I have noticed less patience, more overtaking somewhat dangerously, - often young women want to be the car in front - ok - might be be getting older!! I'm not sure what I would do if they bring in a test for older drivers -

I don’t drive ….. although always wished to learn . But my husband was ‘controlling’ and decided I didn’t need to and “ we couldn’t afford it”!!
He’s now disabled ….I still don’t drive as now we really couldn’t afford to run a car ! I do regret. And in case you’re wondering …he depends on me …so he’s no longer controlling! I woke too late !

I find I prefer driving on Motorways and dual carriageways. They are certainly far safer roads than windy country roads where most casualties occur.

No, I had lots and lots of lessons, and my fear just grew.
2 tests ended up in a bush on the second one and then I gave up.

Didn’t pass till I was thirty. Didn’t have the need to drive till hubby went away to work and I did it then I’m 62 and love the fact that I can just jump in and go! Godsend.

I've been driving since I was 17 which is a good job as I live in the middle of the countryside, a long way from any bus route and about 15 minutes drive from shops. My mother didn't learn to drive until she was in her 30s and gave up the day my dad retired at 55. It was a shame as she surrendered her independence.

I'd never get anywhere; basic shops, Drs, Dentist,hairdresser, just anywhere unless I was able to drive. Free bus pass useless unless I drive 18 miles to a park and ride and go into a City. Public transport is none existent where I live. Learned to drive in 1966. Dad had a license but was issued in the days when you didn't sit a test. Mum never drove. Parents never had a car. A few of my female neighbours didnt drive, same age as myself. No idea why they didn't bother. Two were nurses, 3 teachers who I thought woukd benefit from the skill.

I love driving, anything and everything, cars, trucks, tractors, minibus, even a combine harvester, would love to drive a tank. Left hand driving, trailer, no problem but it doesn’t extend to changing wheels or servicing, a man can do that for me.

I don't need to drive, living in the city center with a good transport network. Finding a parking space is difficult, so I understand from my friends with cars.

Its just as well we don't all drive, there's enough congestion already and air pollution from the amount of cars on the roads. I feel that, as a pedestrian, without a car and public transport user, I'm doing my bit for the environment!

Saying you do not drive because you live in a good-sized town with good public transport and bad parking , is a bit of a cop out. Most of us in that situation would do that.

Supposing you lived in a more rural area, not remote, but one of those villages with in 3 or 4 miles of a town in the busy south east, with buses, but buses that leave you walking half a mile from bus stop to house, or buses who start the journey to the station turning in the opposite direction to the station to go and collect passengers in 3 or 4 other villages before heading back to the railway station, calling in at three more villages, or when a trip to the hospital 20 miles away, requires three buses to get there and three to get back.

What then?

Presumably if you didn’t drive, you wouldn’t move to such a place.

I love driving though I didn’t learn until I was 40 when the arrival of our third baby made it difficult to get back from the shops with shopping and children on public transport.
I’m over 80 and know several women and even a couple of gents who never learnt to drive and among the drivers a large number who never tackled a motorway or the city centre. Perhaps it’s because I live in a capital city where traffic is heavy and public transport available. I don’t drive on unlit roads at night though. Never enjoyed that and now don’t feel safe.

I find now that I have retired it's other non-drivers who are happy to use my "taxi service" and non-drivers are the least likely to offer a contribution to fuel despite the recent hugely increased costs. I hope that when I am incapacitated there might be a chance of my getting someone to run me to various appointments, but I will insist on paying my way. I don't often expect some help with fuel costs but it would be nice to feel appreciated and not taken for a mug. I must practise the word NO, with a bit more discretion.

All my adult life I have felt myself to be an oddity because I have never had a driving licence - much against my will, I may say. My parents refused point-blank to allow me to sit my test at 16, as I was moving away from home, and in Denmark you must take lessons from a state-approved driving instructor which is so expensive that it has always been beyond my means.

I know one, and only one other woman of my age (70) who like me never learned to drive, and can only think of one British woman amongst my parents' friends who did not drive.

I love driving too , I also adore train journeys (despite the delays & cancellations) & London buses & tube. The bad thing about driving is parking - I can ruin an enjoyable 30 minute journey worrying if I'll find a space that's not going to cost arm + leg or need pay by phone. Lovely to get off the bus at your destination & just - go! Buses where I live now are dire though.

Mobility scooter now as I can't drive due to a neurological condition (not epilepsy) I love my mobility scooter. It gets me all over. I have a full 6 mile an hour one. It takes me all over where I live. It can do on a full charge about 18 miles. Darn sight easier than dealing with traffic too. I would rather not have the condition however I have.

I have my eldest and friends always happy to take me places in the car when I need use of.

My late mom drove which was unusual for her generation. She was born in 1925. She came from a privileged background hence

I learnt to drive when I had 3 children under 4,it was a nightmare getting out.
For years I only drove in my local area and relied on my husband for long journeys.He died suddenly and over the years since then I have got used to driving everywhere,including the Continent.

I also love the motorway.

Love driving day and night alcove the UK .Mostly lived in rural Somerset buses were few and far between.One place we lived once a week Had to drive for work.Husband cannot drive as Il at the moment could not get to any of his hospital appointments otherwise Rural folk let down by public transport .No buses after 8pm or onSundays

I am 75 and have driven since I was 16. I am so grateful that I am still able to. You may think it strange but whenever I get in the car and start driving down the road I exclaim loudly "FREEDOM " I have freedom. I can go wherever I want to go. Makes me feel so good!

Of course I drive.
Do you think I don’t have a life?

Women are still overwhelmingly poorer than men and running a car is expensive! I used to think l would learn to drive but l live somewhere where it can't be justified and there are no parking places either.
Women are still, l notice,derided by men for being hesitant rather than arrogant drivers: l would really struggle to feel confident as a driver - and l know several women who learned to drive but never used it for this reason.

Yes, I couldn’t manage without driving, passed my test at 18 so driving for 62 years. My DH has chronic health and I do all of the driving, we live miles from anywhere with no bus service. Our choice to live here but couldn’t without a car.

I have always said... One of the top things to happen in my life was passing my driving test. I learnt at 17 and have driven ever since apart from post op restrictions (I was ready to drive but my insurance company said 6 weeks). I have driven all over the UK and post divorce and aged 61 took myself to Australia and New Zealand and drove myself all over both countries alone. I love the freedom of being able to pop into the car and go wherever I want...when I want. At the moment it's almost daily visits to the garden centre.. coming back with a boot filled with plants. I don't want to think about a time when I can drive....my DOH works in the motor trade and can park a car on a sixpence so I'm happy to let him drive when we go out as I do enjoy being driven too .. long may my freedom continue I say ...