Have just given our car to grandson. Empty drive syndrome.

I dread the day I have to stop driving. Without my car all my independence would go. Visiting family and friends, my social groups, exercise classes how would I get to them. Having a problem with one of my knees at the moment and can't walk much,plus my back stops me standing for too long. I would be stranded with out car.

It's a bit of a worry for us at 77, we live in a rural area with no public transport and need to drive for anything we need. No supermarket deliveries here.

I’m sure that does feel odd if you’re used to having a car. You sound to have planned it all very well, though. Lucky grandson - I hope he’ll be taking places in it!

Except for the odd 60 mile drive to a dd*, I don’t use mine much any more at all. Dh uses it far more - we use his (bigger) largely for long journeys.
We have fantastic public transport here so unless I’m going to have a lot of heavy shopping (rare now) I use buses/trains/ tube.
*I could do that by public transport too, and have done - it just takes rather longer - bus, tube, and the Oxford Tube (coach that goes every 15 minutes and stops a few minutes’ walk from dd’s door, God bless it!)

Gave up my car nearly two years ago. Never ever thought I would be able to live without my own car. Used even refer to myself as a Tortoise (Safe inside my shell - ie the car).
I do have a bus stop right outside my flats, and use a scooter to get around town to my meetings, social activities, etc. For travelling distances to visit family, I use the train.

Not to say I do not have the odd times when I miss not having a car to jump into - but on the whole I do not miss it at all, and not only does not having one save me a lot of money it also takes away a lot of stress.

My parents managed to live their whole 80 plus years without ever having or learning to drive a car.

Would be really hard where we live public transport is abysmal.
Not yet a consideration as we are both mid 60s.

I can’t believe I am reading this today of all days! This is the day I am selling my car and giving up driving. I too am on a good bus route, use online shopping and have family for backup in an emergency. To be honest I just don’t enjoy driving any more and think I lost confidence during Covid. I have been ‘taking the car for a drive’ every so often just to keep it moving, rather than because I need to use it. So goodbye my trusty 6yr old Leon. My emotional brain is hesitant, my logical brain is saying ‘don’t be ridiculous.’ It is a big step but probably the sensible one.
OP, I hope you find you have made the right decision. Your g’son must be delighted. Such a nice thing to do for him.

Oh yes, we’re not about to give up our cars. I wouldn’t be able to do childcare for my dd if I didn’t drive, for one thing. My parents’ world closed down when they could no longer afford a car, that’s for sure.

I dread the day I have to give up my car. Yes, it is expensive to keep a car on the road, but the freedom it gives me is incalculable

Caramme and others.
Hat's off to you who have given up when you knew the time was right.
I hope I am as brave as you and as honest with myself.

Thank you for raising this here. Too many people are on the roads when just not 'switched on" or confident enough. I am trying to be brutally honest with myself after having seen others struggle to relinquish the car keys.

Well done to you both! One grandson beside himself with delight no doubt!

It is much better to stop when you recognise the time is right than be stopped by police or accident or worse.
A big decision but a very wise one.

I’ve happily lived without a car before. I didn’t own one until I was in my mid-30s, and then didn’t need one in a couple of places I lived at times in my 40s and 50s.

Now I live rurally again, and couldn’t drive for most of last year because of an injury. It was dreadfully limiting, as we have no public transport and a taxi to the nearest station is £48 each way. It reinforced my intention to move to somewhere with better walkability and public transport. Once I’ve done so, I will sell my car, and use car-clubs and hire cars if I have to drive anywhere.

Caramme

I can’t believe I am reading this today of all days! This is the day I am selling my car and giving up driving. I too am on a good bus route, use online shopping and have family for backup in an emergency. To be honest I just don’t enjoy driving any more and think I lost confidence during Covid. I have been ‘taking the car for a drive’ every so often just to keep it moving, rather than because I need to use it. So goodbye my trusty 6yr old Leon. My emotional brain is hesitant, my logical brain is saying ‘don’t be ridiculous.’ It is a big step but probably the sensible one.
OP, I hope you find you have made the right decision. Your g’son must be delighted. Such a nice thing to do for him.

Thank you Caramme I could have written this especially the taking out to just keep it moving. Do hope you soon get used to the empty space.
For those concerned about being in a rural area with little transport opportunities I would say again that if we were driving regularly and with purpose I am pretty sure we would have continued. My dh says he is relieved which surprised me but common sense prevails. We are still renewing our driving licenses as they are so useful for id. Also “you never know”.

So sorry to hear about your injury Siope. Do hope you find what you want and are happy.

Thank you!

Still driving, DH had to give up due to eyesight problems. However I'm lucky that we live in an area with very good public transport, and it's free! I said to DD that she must tell me if she thinks that I should stop driving .

Fleur20

It is much better to stop when you recognise the time is right than be stopped by police or accident or worse.
A big decision but a very wise one.

This
And you now have a very happy DGS😃he can drive you when needed as a thank you.
In the future if I feel unfit to drive will stop and sell the car.I could just about manage as we have regular buses and can have things delivered and use a local taxi.

I recently gave my diesel car to one of my GS because of ULEZ, I thought seriously about not replacing it but as some of my family are now moving out of London it would be a difficult and lengthy journey to visit them. So I did replace my car but do understand your decision and nice that your GS has benefitted I’m sure you’ll soon get used to the empty space.

I don’t want to have to give up driving yet if I can help it. We have good public transport links here, and i use it whenever possible, but I would struggle to get to see friends and my family without the car, and to enjoy some of the things that make my life worth living and boost my confidence at the moment. I’m 77 this year and I hope to have two or three more good years of driving left in me. They can put me out to grass then and maybe I, too, will hand my car over to GS! He drools over it now!

Lovetopaint037, I've never had a car - so no 'giving up' trauma for me. I'm so glad to hear that your husband has been sensible and caring enough to recognise his limits. There are many 'oldies' around here that really shouldn't be driving - a real hazard on the roads.

Here in London there's good public transport, plenty of cabs and a good choice of delivery options. The money you save by not running a car can be spent on treats instead - much more interesting!

(and) exactly how much does it cost to keep a car? I never seem to get a sensible answer to that question. The perceived 'freedom and independence' I can't understand. I can call a cab wherever I go, catch a bus or train, do a round trip without returning to the parking place etc. - all 'freedom' to me.

Surely, unless you live somewhere very remote (like the Highlands of Scotland) there are cabs and shopping deliveries?

Hetty58 I’ve never worked it out and it’s probably more than I estimate. I live in London, good transport links but to visit family who will be moving away it would be a long convoluted train/bus journey taking a couple of hours at best a journey I could drive in less than 50 mins a cab would cost a lot. Besides I do pick up family from Heathrow when they visit. My daughter who’s not allowed to drive and I often take a drive together. Everyone has different circumstances of course each to their own.

Never have learnt to drive, I’ve never wanted to..
I use buses and shanks’s pony
Very occasionally a train when I need to visit my daughter up country..