Is this really so unusual?

It is a bit but not that there is anything wrong with that I don't know many people that don't drve tbh

I know plenty of people who don't drive (mid-twenties upwards).

Also, where I work, most people get the train in, so it's a bit weird to think of them as drivers, IYSWIM.

Im nearly 32 and can't drive either. It seems everyione else my age drives as well. I would be driving now but for the fact that Ive failed my test 5 times.? But I never found it necessary before I had both my kids, now it seems to be essential if I want to go back to work and manage family life with school runs etc.

My H is 35 and he can't drive.He'd like to but we can't afford lessons.
And if I'm 100% honest, I'd be nervous about driving with him.

Mr L got his license 3 weeks before his 35th birthday. He just never needed to drive. None of his family drive.

I was never that bothered when I was younger, and I did start having lessons a couple of years ago, but my ankle deteriorated pretty rapidly to the point where I couldn't anymore
It's getting to the point where I could probably start again, but I'm just not that bothered if I'm honest
we live pretty central, it's a short walk into the town centre (5 mins max)
and that means I'm close to the bus routes for just about everywhere in the city too
J drives, and we do have a car, but he gets the train to work so it's used about twice a week at the most

It is quite unusual, but certainly not unheard of, and not really a problem either way.
My H doesn't drive, he's 33. He has sleep apnoea, and although it's treated, I still wouldn't be surprised if he fell asleep at the wheel!
It is a drag when we go on holidays etc though as I always have to drive.

I get the same thing too, a lot of people expect me to drive but I don't (24). I've never needed to, my parents house is on a bus route, and that took me to college/town and then at uni there was no way I could have afforded driving. It's only now that the bus route at my parents has actually been stopped that I'm starting to consider driving for an easier life.

quote:Originally posted by Ellena

It is a drag when we go on holidays etc though as I always have to drive.

I'm 24 and can't drive either. I would like to, I suppose, but I just can't be bothered at the moment ? My Mam doesn't and my Dad didn't learn until I was 5 or 6. I've never really needed to drive anywhere.

Oooh, interesting thread!

I am 39 in May and I don't drive. Neither have I ever took lessons. I just have no interest in learning. Until the last few years, I lived in South London and would get around by foot, train, and of course, plane. I am used to getting taxis.

H has been driving for over 25 years. It winds him up that I don't drive. Now I am in leafy Purley, the transport system is not as frequent or good, but I get by.

He doesn't do half as much ferrying about for me as he claims. He works shifts and I make my own arrangements in the main. I may get the odd lift to the gym/station on route if he is going elsewhere.

It is fairly unusual. I couldn't wait to learn to drive although I'm not that keen on it now, probably because I have to do so much of it for my job. I certainly wouldn't be able to do what I do and work where I work without a car. I imagine it's a bit restrictive although you can adapt.

It seems odd to me, but then i grew up in a rural area, and every learnt to drive as soon as they possibly could, rather than relying on lifts from parents.

Mr FtG grew up in London, and went to uni there, and had no need to drive until we moved away.

Im 30 and cant drive. I never needed to living in London, but now when I live more rural I am pretty isolated.
I am just worried I would be lethal on the roads since I cant even draw a straight line, so cant imagine being able to drive within one! ?

I had lessons when I was 17. I was most pugnacious in those days and I abhorred my instructor. Still, I passed almost immediately and that was that. It was the done thing in my day.

I'm 32 and I don't drive.

I had some lessons when I lived in Sheffield, but then I moved to London 7 years ago, and have a tube station right across the road from where I live, plus a car would be a major liability where I live.

I'm 38 and I can't drive either. I did have a few lessons 11 years ago but got pregnant and never got back to it. Only occasionally do I think it would be nice to drive especially when my H uses his bike to get to work. We have good access to public transport (train and bus) Besides I'm a nervous passenger so it would be dangerous for me to drive.

I know a few people in their 30/40s who can't drive.

That didn't answer your question at all. Erm, I don't think it's that unusual - depends if you need to or not, surely?

I didn't learn until I was 25 - I grew up in a city then spent six years in cities at medical school - never got round to it, couldn't afford it etc. Even after I passed my test I was so used to getting around without a car that I barely drove for 2-3 years after that. I think drivers don't really understand how for non drivers life goes on, and when you've never had the freedom of driving you don't miss it. It clearly depends on where you live though. I'm in a village and not driving would be incredibly isolating for me and my children - you need to drive/taxi even to buy a pint of milk as there's no public transport at all within walking distance. I could cycle but it would be rather an undertaking with two children.

I do think having children makes a difference
I've spent a fair bit of time looking after my sisters kids, and can remember the shame of struggling holding a baby, trying to keep an eye on the toddler, and not knowing how to collapse the buggy to get on a bus
in the end I had to let the bus go as I nearly dropped the baby

it turned out I should have taken the rain cover off first [:I]
and even with the new buses that you can push them straight on, they only take 2 prams and always seem to be full

I can certainly see the attraction of being able to drive if you have kids

I'm 25 and have just started learning to drive, this week I had my 4th lesson. I only know a handful of other people my age who don't drive, so I guess it is fairly unusual.

I've really had to be forced into learning - the only reason I've started is that I start my new job as cabin crew in the summer and will have to commute to Heathrow, there is just no way I could get there on time for flights public transport. Its good in a way that I've been forced into into it, although I can't say I'm particularly enjoying it - I hhhaaaate not being good at something straight away and get frustrated with myself because I want to be able do it perfectly first time. Still, seems to be going ok though.

And in areas without a decent public transport system
I'm lucky that it's never been an issue for me

I didn't learn to drive until I was twenty, never needed too, as could walk to work. Ex boyfriend said I should do it while I could afforsd it (before I left home) so glad I did as when I met my OH he lived an hours drive away, and without a car i'm not sure it would of worked.

Around here you would be very unusual. In fact, the only person I know who can't drive is my FIL. But then I live in a rural-ish town where bus routes are pretty much non-existant. I live in town now so rarely use my car and managed ok without one when my ex stitched me over our car. But I prefer the option of having one to not. I like the fact that if there was an emergency with someone in my family or a friend I can get in the car and go.

However, I think if I'd grown up in a city with excellent transport links then there is no way I'd have spent all that money on learning to drive!?

I'm nearly 30 and I can't drive. I had lessons when I left college and lots of tests but I totally go to pieces under the pressure.

I'd love to drive but I can't deal with the failure.

I don't drive and I am 28.

Main reason is because I am scared of the other cars on the road. I don't trust them, and until I can overcome the fear part of that (I don't think I will ever trust them as such) then I will be a liability on the road myself. I did start to learn when I was about 19, however I moved out of my parents and then couldn't afford to continue. I have a provisional license still and also am on the car insurance so my H can take me out for lessons if I really wanted to. Not that I do!

Personally though as long as I am able to walk or use a bus then I don't see the point. I am more than happy to use the train for long journeys and my H loves driving. Until I have to, I probably wont continue to learn.

I'm 32 and I can't drive either - do we have a kleek?

I think it depends entirely on where you live/work/play.

I live on the outskirts of Brum, in a village that when I was at school had one bus an hour from 8am till 7pm. After that you were fooked ? My boyfriend lived about 6 miles away so every night one or both of us, walked 6 miles there and 6 miles back just to see each other. It was a royal PITA. ?

Every friend of mine (except 1) and every member of my family drive apart from my mum. It was just the norm for us and I never considered not to. Once I was 16 I applied for my provisional and began learning within days of my 17th birthday. Every job I've had has required a driving licence and even if it didn't, public transport would have been impossible due to the times of my shifts.

I often wonder how people cope in their 30s upwards without being able to drive. How do you get anywhere? I get home from work on a Saturday (start of my weekend) and can just bugger off to the seaside if I want, shopping whatever.......I would seriously feel so hampered if I didn't drive. Its my independence, my sanity ? But then, I don't have everything on my doorstep like I know some people that live in a city would.

I don't think people are odd for not wanting to drive, but I couldn't not drive. I also think that you might as well do it when you're young and its inevitably easier than it'll be trying to learn the same skill aged 50 or whatever.

quote:Originally posted by alleroo
i do think having children makes a difference
I've spent a fair bit of time looking after my sisters kids, and can remember the shame of struggling holding a baby, trying to keep an eye on the toddler, and not knowing how to collapse the buggy to get on a bus
in the end I had to let the bus go as I nearly dropped the baby

it turned out I should have taken the rain cover off first [:I]
and even with the new buses that you can push them straight on, they only take 2 prams and always seem to be full

I can certainly see the attraction of being able to drive if you have kids

I'm 33 and passed my test a few weeks ago ?

Up until that point, I found that people's reaction to me not driving depended totally on where they lived. I have only recently moved out of London and, whilst living there, people didn't really bat an eyelid about me not having a licence. However, other people who lived less centrally where often appauled at the idea that I couldn't drive!

It can be a problem as people get older - I see quite a few older couples who really struggle when the driver becomes ill and can't drive.

quote:Originally posted by Rache
It can be a problem as people get older - I see quite a few older couples who really struggle when the driver becomes ill and can't drive.