Those who do not drive

[ianrauk]

Prompted by another thread.
How many on here do not have a driving license?

Me for one, and now at the age of 43 I now think I am never going to drive. I just have no inclination to.

My old Pops, his birthday pressie to us when myself and my brothers each turned 18 was driving lessons. I took about 4 lessons to realise that driving was simply not for me. I really did not enjoy it and have never had an attraction or affinity to cars. I can't see what the fuss is about whether it's a crappy old box, a sporty BMW or a top of the range Ferrari etc To me they are all the same.

People always ask how do I manage with out a car? Well that's easy, if you have never had a car then you manage simple as that. A lot of car drivers have become lazy. Even 'er indoors will think nothing of driving to a shop half mile away to get a newspaper rather then walk or cycle.

 

[Chamfus Flange]

Although I have a license, I do agree with you on a lot of your points. I have a car and it does less than 7000 miles per year for a family of three. We have the advantage of living in Surrey which means bus, rail, walk and even taxi are readily available. My prefered option is, and has been for many year, cycling.

 

[MrRidley]

Same here, i had about ten lessons a few years back and thought wtf am i doing, did'nt enjoy it at all, to much stress and aggro for my liking.

 

[Paulus]

I do have a license for a car and a motorbike from many years ago. I rarely drive a car but ride my motorbike and cycle most places. A good friend of mine is like you, although a bit older, has never had a license and never had the inclination to learn. He has an all zones oystercard and travels by bus, train or he walks. he reckons it is much cheaper than buying/taxing/running a car with the fuel bills/servicing/insurance costs etc. I can understand that those who live in out of the way places without reliable public transport may need a car, but in large ish towns and cities you can do without motorised private transport.

 

[thomas]

People always ask how do I manage with out a car? Well that's easy, if you have never had a car then you manage simple as that. A lot of car drivers have become lazy.

I have a licence, and enjoy driving....just when my insurance is high enough to pay to rebuild some small village that they think I will write off, it is off putting.

I've not driven in a year(ish) now and have managed to get by. I would certainly find it useful for things...I'd much rather do my shopping by car, than walk. It only takes 30 minutes each way, but the weight of the bags is giving my elbow pains. I'd probably also have driven to get my hair cut yesterday, rather than another 30 minute walk (each way).

Back at UNI now (bus is too expensive)...I must be walking about 15 miles a week. UNI is 1.5miles away, do that 4 days a week + the same to Sainsburys....at a minimum.

Makes you appreciate things though! I'd love to drive for a day or two over Christmas. I don't like commuting by car (in rush hour - it just makes me bad tempered), but could happily go for a Sunday drive.

 

[4F]

I think a lot depends on where you live. Buses in my village are every 2 hours and the nearest train station is 4 miles away with a very infrequent service.

I cannot imagine not driving a car. I passed my test when I was 17 and in the main I quite enjoy driving especially on the continent. Most summer holidays are based on camping with the kids and based on driving to our destination.

 

[joolsybools]

Another non-driver here.

I had a few lessons many years ago and was doing quite well, but my heart was never in it. My view has always been that cars are lethal machines and driving a car is not a thing I particulary want to be part of. I have always managed with things like moving house with the help of friends/colleagues; also car-sharing or getting trains longer distances. I agree with others about the expense of running a car; I have better things to spend my money on.

If I ever move to the sticks where my work commute was say more than 10 miles and public transport was rubbish then I might consider doing the deed. However it's unlikely I would ever choose to put myself in this position.

Vive le velo!

 

[HelenD123]

I've not driven in a year(ish) now and have managed to get by. I would certainly find it useful for things...I'd much rather do my shopping by car, than walk. It only takes 30 minutes each way, but the weight of the bags is giving my elbow pains. I'd probably also have driven to get my hair cut yesterday, rather than another 30 minute walk (each way).

Seriously, you need to get a shopping trolley. They're not anywhere near as naff as they used to be.

 

[ttcycle]

No license as of yet - I'm booked for my pratical test early Dec-fingers crossed- really wanted to learn for potential work reasons and the options if offers jobwise being able to drive (two specific professions in mind)

I learnt when I was a teen - got to test standard and couldn't get a test before I came down to London for Uni and it's been a long time since I picked up the reigns again. I find that being on two wheels has made me very zen like in the car and less of a nervy driver then when I was 18. Plus, I find learning in London, especially if people do stupid things (often on a lesson) or beep in impatience I prefer to take extra long to do something just to irritate them, thankfully my driving instructor shares my warped humour...though he often points out I do some very hard to break cycling specific things in the car -such as checking behind my shoulder blindspot when not needed and sometimes double checking and I have a very cautious approach to RAB due to motorists pulling out when I'm cycling even though technically I have right of way. Remember four wheel not two is my instructors mantra-lol.

Though WHEN I get my license - i still plan to commute by bike, couldn't be bothered running a car -costs are just too high and congestion makes commuting by car stupid and nightmarish!

Funnily enough (I can say this now) when I took my theory back in Sept - my bike got stolen outside/near the theory test centre..what crap!

 

[Andy in Sig]

My daily commute is a round trip of about 28 miles. Due to timings and lack of public transport at the time I need it, I have to take the car. Once I'm home though it hardly ever comes out of the garage. I'm thinking of learning to ride a motor bike as an alternative.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Seriously, you need to get a shopping trolley. They're not anywhere near as naff as they used to be.

I said to Mrs 3BM on the weekend it was time for us to get a shopping trolley as our lads buggy bowed under the weight of 3 tons of shopping.
I fancy one of those 4 wheel semi-industrial jobbies.
Is there a special old lady shop where you buy them or are there now trendy ones for us *cough* youngsters?

 

[thomas]

Seriously, you need to get a shopping trolley. They're not anywhere near as naff as they used to be.

I obviously use a shopping trolley around sainsburys...don't think they'd appreciate me stealing it to go home though...or do you mean one of those old lady wheelie bag things?

Most of the heavy stuff goes in a rucksack, but I had milk and wine which wouldn't fit yesterday...and tbh, carrying anything much for 30 minutes get heavy.

 

[ttcycle]

hang on...noone's mentioned yet...how many excellent top end bikes could you buy for the cost of a car....!!

 

[dellzeqq]

No driving license other than a well-out-of-date Californian one.

 

[accountantpete]

Last week walking to the shop in light rain I passed a guy getting into his car. As I got to the shop the car parked outside. Walking back the same guy returned and parked his car where it had been and got out carrying a bottle of milk.

Total distance to shop - 50 yards.