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Original poster

How old were you when you learnt to drive

114 replies

newtimesagain · 25/12/2023 22:09

Im 37 and never drove in my life i know its not to late.
But im so nervous as i no nothing about driving not even started a car.
I want to learn in an automatic only.

What age were you?
Did it take you years or months?

I want to drive so i can buy a bambi camper van (my dream)and piss off when i want.

OP posts:
Itsbeginningtolookalotlike · 25/12/2023 22:10
  1. It only took a couple of months. I think the later you start the more scary it is, not the harder. Give it a try. It opens up life immeasurably.
Youcancallmeirrelevant · 25/12/2023 22:11

17, had my first lesson on my 17th birthday, passed after 4 months and 10 lessons i think it was. But i had bought myself a car so after about 5 lessons i would drive myself to and from school with my mum as passenger, and i basically just drove us everywhere while i was practicing

SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 25/12/2023 22:11

seventeen. My mum insisted all her children had driving lessons until passing at 17. It was non-negotiable. She said it was important for freedom. And leaving bad situations. Me and my sister got cars at eighteen so we werent using taxis and buses.

MissConductUS · 25/12/2023 22:12

Sixteen, but I’m in the US.

CandyCaneLane0 · 25/12/2023 22:14

Started learning when I was 30, took nearly 5 months to pass in a manual

Eyesopenwideawake · 25/12/2023 22:14

Passed 2 months after my 17th birthday. Living in the nowhere hinterlands of Lincolnshire meant it was essential.

Memoro · 25/12/2023 22:15

I passed last month at 34! Dh taught me as we couldn’t get formal lessons, so was over about 10-12 months but has some large gaps where I didn’t drive for several weeks. It was scary at first but it became quite natural quite quickly and the driving mechanics stop being the worry and it’s just learning what to do in the unexpected type thing.

NonSequentialRhubarb · 25/12/2023 22:16

33, passed in October. I wanted to learn automatic from the start but got pressured into doing manual by all the people saying "well you might need a manual for this...or that" etc etc. Failed my first test, switched to automatic and passed a month later. Wish I'd just stuck to automatic from the start.

Comedycook · 25/12/2023 22:17

Started learning at 17...

Failed twice

Gave up for a couple of years

Finally passed at 22.

SquashPenguin · 25/12/2023 22:17

Aged 17. Took about three months in a manual.

Applerumleandcustard · 25/12/2023 22:17

Passed my test age 27 , 3rd attempt
Live rurally and though I’m not a keen driver , I have my own car
I’d hate to be reliant on other people

Hellocatshome · 25/12/2023 22:18

17, took me 10 lessons but then I'm super competitive and had to beat my DBro who took 12 lessons.

Franklet · 25/12/2023 22:18

You're definitely not too old! I was 36. I learnt when I was pregnant with dd2 because I couldn't fit two of them on my bike. It took a few months I think. Failed my first test but passed on the 2nd attempt.

I overcame my fear by going out for at least a little drive every day for a couple of months after I got my license.

whatthehellnow23 · 25/12/2023 22:20

27, it was the right time for me but I would encourage the younger the Better if possible

TurquoiseDress · 25/12/2023 22:21

17 started lessons just after my 17th birthday, passed my test first time 5 months later

Quornflakegirl · 25/12/2023 22:22

Started lessons at 17, passed my test first time at 18.

TurquoiseDress · 25/12/2023 22:22

Passed test in a manual car

Cantalever · 25/12/2023 22:24

My mother was a driving instructor and she taught people of all ages - including a few elderly widows who found themselves stranded after their DHs died, living in the countryside with no buses. It takes longer when older - on average a lesson for each year of your life, so you will probably be able to learn in say 40 lessons, so at one a week, less than a year. Go to a good qualified instructor, though, not a friend or relation, as unlearning bad habits will take longer and cost more in the long run.
Why an automatic though? Using the gears is most of the fun and skill of driving, and no more difficult. Good luck OP.

Singleandproud · 25/12/2023 22:26

30, I purposefully took a full year of lessons 1.5 hours x twice a week so that I got supported experience driving in all weather types. I did this because I knew I'd be driving with DD in the car fairly immediately rather than having passed at 17 and having years under my belt. It was expensive but worth it. I started off with 1 x 1.5 hour lesson on a Sunday morning when the roads were dead and then added a Wednesday evening lesson so I got to drive in different traffic conditions, different light and so I didn't have a huge gap between lessons

There are lots of videos on YouTube showing the basics of controls and how the pedals work so watch some of those and start working on your theory knowledge. Make it your new year's resolution and aim to pass by the end of the year / time you are 40.

Halloweenrainbow · 25/12/2023 22:31

I'm about your age and just failed my test. Wish I'd got it out the way 25 years ago. I've taken about 50 lessons over 18 months and I just cant understand how anyone could take a few sessions with family and pass first time.

Yellofello · 25/12/2023 22:33

I was 17. It took ten months thereabouts

RuthW · 25/12/2023 22:38

First lesson on my 17th birthday.

Passed the day after my 18th birthday, second time.

christmaspawpaws · 25/12/2023 22:38
  1. Started learning in March, passed in December on attempt 3 Blush partly as I broke my ankle badly in the sept First time I was way too nervous and my legs were shaking!
BarryK3nt · 25/12/2023 22:41

Started learning at 18 and passed first time when I was 19

MamaMode · 25/12/2023 22:41

Learnt at age 33 whilst pregnant (and passed test first time) with my 2nd child. Decided in early pregnancy that I didn't want to be battling on packed buses with a newborn in a pushchair and a 5 year old in tow. Did weekly 2 hour lessons from 4 to 8 months pregnant, then instructor said I had to stop lessons as emergency stops etc could be dangerous in late stage pregnancy, but also that I was ready to do my test anyhow. So stopped lessons and booked my test which ended up being 3 months after giving birth. It's never too late to learn a new skill if you are able X