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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to feel I have left it too late to drive?

113 replies

Aabbaas · 08/09/2026 15:21

I am so upset with myself for this.
I am 40. Learnt to drive in my home country when I was 18, then moved to London shortly after and never had to drive again. I took some refresher lessons a few years ago but never actually managed to become comfortable on the road. Life, DC, work got in the way and I never prioritised driving. Now I feel I am back to square one. I took a few more lessons recently and I have been doing ok but I am scared of starting to drive our car by myself or, even worse, with DC.
I can’t park well either and this stops me from taking the car to go places.
I fear I have lost my boat and it is so frustrating as driving seems to be one of those very basic and effortless life skill for everyone else.

Anyone in a similar position or if you have overcome this, how?

OP posts:
LungSafe · 08/09/2026 16:25

Do you drive a manual or automatic OP? Auto is miles easier.

Pancakeorcrepe · 08/09/2026 16:23

It’s never too late!!! Do it. It will make such a difference

Original poster
Aabbaas · 08/09/2026 16:22

Trumpisacunt · 08/09/2026 16:03

Passed aged 46 ...did it in an auto,16 lessons and passed first time ! It was life changing and have never looked back since.
Get you big girl pants on,download the theory app,book your theory test and find yourself an instructor and get that test done !

Not sure if you read my post, I do have a driving licence, passed the test abroad when I was 18!

OP posts:
Trumpisacunt · 08/09/2026 16:03

Passed aged 46 ...did it in an auto,16 lessons and passed first time ! It was life changing and have never looked back since.
Get you big girl pants on,download the theory app,book your theory test and find yourself an instructor and get that test done !

Spidey66 · 08/09/2026 15:47

I’m 60 and still haven’t passed. I’ve attempted several times over the years. I lived in London till 2 years ago when it didn’t matter but now I live in a small Somerset town.

my husband drives and he’s happy to take me places but I worry that if something happens to him I’m screwed.

An automatic is the obvious answer…..though I still screwed that up!!

I need to do it though even if it is an automatic though we’d have to get a new car.

outerspacepotato · 08/09/2026 15:47

I've been driving for decades and while I'm a safe driver, I'm a shitty parker. I park further away if I'm in a lot.

Funny enough, I'm ok at parallel parking.

So don't let being a shitty parker stop you. Do some lessons for road time.

PunishmentSnart · 08/09/2026 15:42

Thebibleofdave · 08/09/2026 15:25

A friend has just passed 1st time today at 37 years old. I passed at 38 (8th time lol) You can do this. You are never too late to learn. Or re-learn in your case! Go for it!!!

I was the same. Passed at 36 on my 4th test. I still hate driving but needs must!

AppropriateAdult · 08/09/2026 15:37

My aunt passed her test in her late 60s after being widowed. It is certainly doable - please don’t write yourself off at such a young age. It sounds like you’ve got the basics already - you just need lots and lots of practice with a nice calm adult in the passenger seat.

seahorsessky · 08/09/2026 15:37

do a short course of lessons

Nutmuncher · 08/09/2026 15:36

Don’t fret too much OP, stick it out for now because driverless technology is coming in very fast so you won’t actually need to drive in the coming years.

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 08/09/2026 15:34

It's only a basic and effortless life skill for most of us because we've been doing it decades. It took a lot of it not being effortless before we got there. You just need to keep practicing until you get to that point.

DPs mum didn't learn until she was 41, and she was one of the better drivers I know by the time I met her.

JustSetFireToIt · 08/09/2026 15:30

It’s never too late, the more you drive and learn, the more your confidence will grow. Have extra lessons focussing on parking.

Don’t risk becoming isolated in layer life (if/when you move out of London).

Thebibleofdave · 08/09/2026 15:25

A friend has just passed 1st time today at 37 years old. I passed at 38 (8th time lol) You can do this. You are never too late to learn. Or re-learn in your case! Go for it!!!

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