Does anyone else not really enjoy driving?

I love it less than I did, though there are still moments of joy. I have to drive fairly frequently on a section of the M25 where there is a concentration of exits and on slips from equally busy roads and it’s the noticeable drop in the standard of driving which has spoiled it for me. When somewhere like that works well, at speed or in the rush hour, it’s because everyone is paying attention, there’s give and take, it feels like an organic whole with everyone playing their part. . There’s so much more awful driving lately - undertaking to weave about across all the lanes at speed , nipping into any safe braking space, tailgating in the fast overtaking lane when people are already breaking the standard and variable limits and assuming that great big HGVs can stop and slow as quickly as a car.

My DH gets het up in a jam but I take a watchful zen attitude - what will be will be, getting cross won’t change anything and we are either going to see the reason for it soon or the sheer weight of traffic reason is going to suddenly relax.

I was recently staying in Watford and chose to drive into Central London rather than get trains, I think I feel the same about public transport as a lot of people on here feel about driving, absolutely cannot stand public transport!

I love driving. After leaving a controlling marriage it represents freedom to me and a wonderful feeling of being capable. As a single parent I do all the driving in all conditions and roads. Just back from a mega road trip to the Isle of Skye and navigating the single track roads there!

I absolutely adore driving, it's one of the things I enjoy the most in life. I quite often take a longer route or just go out for a drive just for the pure joy of it.

I can totally see why some people hate it though, my daughter being one of them. I'm practically having to force her through her test (she's failed twice already) but we don't live in a major city and it's really a life skill that I don't want her to miss out on.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Cyling the quickest way to get through an urban rush hour

Have you passed your test fairly recently? I remember starting a new job 45 mins away, shortly after passing my test, it was winter and dark by 4pm. I used to feel sick in work leading up to finish time at the prospect of driving home!

It did pass though, I'm now indifferent. I di enjoy driving somewhere with quiet roads and scenic views, or going on a roadtrip somewhere new.

I don't think anybody enjoys driving in urban rush hour! I still prefer it to public transport, waiting in the rain, rushing to catch a bus, endless delays, crowds of people. I would much rather be stuck in traffic in a warm/air conditioned car, alone, with my music or audiobook playing.

I don’t enjoy driving like I don’t enjoy unloading the dishwasher or hanging the washing out. It is just something that needs to be done

Yes, I trained myself a long time ago to not stress about traffic jams because a) I can't control them b) can't foresee them c) they're always going to be there

So, I just turn up my favourite music and see it as alone time I wouldn't have had, otherwise!

Does anyone enjoy rush hour jostling, waiting, pushers-in, slow progress etc? Even people who enjoy long drives or are confident in any situation? They seem like different issues.

If you leave an hour earlier than necessary to allow for or avoid rush hour / delays why not take public transport anyway? Use the time to read, catch up on e mails etc.

Even the traffic jams?

I absolutely love driving. It keeps my reactions quick, it gives me freedom to go where I want to go as/when I want to go. I love everything about it.

It’s really reassuring to read these posts. Sometimes mn-etters can be quite disdainful towards people when they admit to only driving short distances etc, but this thread is alot more respectful.

I have a bit of a stop-start commute peppered with aresholes. I've learned to embrace it. I rotate through all the albums I used to listen to when I was young. And relish the fact that no one can bother me, all I need to do is drive, it's going to take as long as it takes and it's out of my hands. I try and actively notice when Audis are driving normally, which is more often than you think, which helps me feel better about the human race generally. And when the inevitable knobend tailgates and overtakes so that he (always he) can be one car further forward in the queuing traffic, I say "awww has ooo got a tiny penis, then" in a baby voice. Not mature, big or clever but it works.

Book a couple of driving lessons.

I too hate driving. I passed my test and then I didn't drive for nearly 2 years so I got a driving instructor to go in my car and cover the things I was rusty on.

I adore driving, I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever not driven anywhere and enjoyed with the exception of maybe driving through the centre of London, Paris or Rome.

Everyone is different though!

I don't enjoy driving and it's not a regular necessity where I live. I'm 5 mins walk from a central (zone 2) tube station and it's rarely quicker or easier to drive and park. Bus journeys are slow though and I never use the bus if the tube is an option, but I like being able to get things done on my phone/read on a long bus journey.

I generally just drive for journeys where I'm transporting/buying big items, or trips out of London or the outer zones, just once a month or so.

I've been driving for nearly 34 years and even so I still fantasise about how nice it would be to be really rich, just so I could have a driver for long journeys and unfamiliar routes.

I actually like driving around locally, jumping in my little car and zipping around with my tunes blaring. But I dread driving anywhere unfamiliar, I worry about it in advance despite researching and planning the route carefully, and can't shake off the "that was awful" feeling for some time after.

I had to collect my son from uni in Birmingham a few weeks ago. Husband usually does it but couldn't so i had to (and driving Husbands bigger car). Motorway and then driving through a big busy unfamiliar city. I swear it took 24 hours to feel "normal" again afterwards. It sounds totally ridiculous and people who love driving can't understand it. I have real difficulty with directions and understanding road layouts. Even with the sat nav I struggle to translate what it's saying into what I'm seeing in front of me. Add in heavy traffic and aggressive/unpredictable drivers and it's even worse.

Motorway driving (unless in short bursts) freaks me out too. Its so boring and so stressful at the same time. I'm acutely aware of how fast it is and if someone makes a single mistake it could be curtains for a whole load of us.

I have ADHD and at my last review with my consultant he was asking about if I struggled with maths and I said yes. He said dyscalcula is a common comorbidity and people who have it often also struggle with directions and spatial awareness and i thought yes yes yes, that's me!

I can control the car perfectly well though and overall I'm really happy that I can drive. It's very freeing.

I don't like it, I have never really liked it, DH fortunately enjoys it so always drives when we go out, he even seems to enjoy towing the caravan which would be my worst nightmare. I have a lack of spatial awareness so find manoeuvring and parking difficult, even in my small car.

I don’t like it but have to do it for work. I actually hate narrow country lanes and parking

I had the most grumpy/rude uber driver this week.
i got in the car all cheerful ‘Hi, how are you?’ - nothing. Thankfully the ride was only 10 mins - got out the other end ‘Thanks, bye’ - nothing.
i don’t believe he had no English, even to say hi and bye. I could do that in multiple languages ffs (and only have a smattering of French!).
I’m not keen on Ubers and only get them if there’s no other option and/or it’s late at night.

It’s traffic that annoys me & having to constantly be aware because people don’t bother indicating, looking before they pull etc. It’s not relaxing

I am the same, but now I can’t drive due to medical issues I miss not having a car for those awkward journeys that would be 10 mins in a car but involve a bus and a mile walk without! in these cases I get an Uber (am in London). I barely ever drove on a motorway although I found A roads ok.
I always looked at driving as a necessary evil! I really needed it when DC were small. Now they’re adults they rarely need to be driven and and neither can drive (DS took test twice pre-uni and failed so needs lessons again).
DH drives and likes driving thankfully 🙏 even wgen I drove he always did the weekend driving unless he particularly wanted to drink of an evening and I’d drive home.

I don’t hate driving, but it’s not my idea of fun.

I’m lucky that I live and have always worked in London, so driving to work has never been an option (silly commute times, no parking etc). Much prefer the tube!

I will always choose a train journey over the car for long journeys outside of London if I can, too, More relaxing to have a nap or read than drive on the motorway!

My car is for ‘needs must’ journeys only - ferrying teenagers and elderly parents, doing shopping etc.