How old were you when you learnt to drive

[newtimesagain]

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.

32 passed while heavily pregnant with DC2 in an automatic but that was in America, moved back to UK and never converted the licence. I never got confident with it and only did routes I knew. I love in a place with very good public transport, but it would be useful to drive.
Will make sure DC both learn as soon as they can.

17, I had my first lesson on my 17th birthday. I grew up on a farm so very common to learn to drive as soon as you can!

I was riding a moped at 16 as it was the only way to get to work.
Learnt to drive a car a couple of years later, took a couple of lessons just before my test to make sure my (late) dad hadn't taught me any bad habits but other than that it was just driving as much as possible (passed first time). Of course, riding a moped (and passing my moped test) gave me a LOT of road experience.

You say you want a Bambi camper.
That will be an old beast as I think they stopped making them some 30+yrs ago. Built on the Bedford Rascal, they were very compact but a bit tardis like and quite fun.
I think they have become trendy again since one recently appeared on a show (a comedian touring Scotland?🤔) and they still come up for sale from time to time but will be old so have it checked out thoroughly.

17 lived rurally I'm now 36 and love driving especially in France
Had no choice lived so rurally parents fed up of being a taxi as no public transport
So grateful as they paid for it

Finally passed at the third attempt at 21. Started learning at 17, failed twice, didn't try again until after I left university then passed very quickly after restarting lessons.

My DM had never got on with driving, never got as far as taking a test. Eventually she switched to an auto and passed first time in her mid-60s.

I was 55 and it took me about 18 months to learn. I only had a weekly driving lesson and I too had no experience whatsoever with cars. I only learned because I'd moved to a country town in Queensland with no public transport (having lived in Melbourne where there are trains, trams and buses). Also learned in an automatic. Hardly anyone uses manuals here, they're mostly limited to commercial vehicles, and there was never a suggestion of learning in one.

I was nervous as hell but was fortunate to have a really good instructor.

I just squeaked through on my test (I was terrified of going too fast and having an instant fail, so drove too slowly) but am very happy driving now, it's made a huge difference to my life.

Go for it, OP, you can do it!

27 BUT I didn’t drive once I passed my test. Far too scared. I forgot literally everything I learnt. Had no faith in driving a manual and terrified myself.
I decided to take automatic lessons at 36. I am so glad I chose automatic, because now I love it and on the road

16. Took my test 2 weeks before my 17th. Learnt via my parents.

I passed last month after about 6 months of learning - I'm 42!

I was 38 when I passed my test. It took me around 3 months of weekly lessons with an instructor, plus I practiced almost daily with DH.

My DC all passed aged 17 and it took them a similar number of lessons, so it doesn't necessarily take longer when you're older.

I was 18 years old (almost 19) when I passed my driving test. (Manual car)
Took driving school lessons,
and also drove with my parents between ages 16-18.
Had to take MANY lessons, but passed the test on my first try.
My parents paid for lessons, thankfully.
This was/is a rural place, so everyone wanted a driving licence.

I am very very impressed with people who learn to drive a bit later in life, because I don't think it gets easier. I have quite a few friends now who decided to learn to drive when they became parents in their 30's.

I learnt when I was 48, was incredibly nervous, I passed first time after 4months. With the right instructor (for you) you can do this, and it will open up a whole new world to you, it will be one of the best things you have ever done. Best of luck 🍀

36, almost 37. I started just before lockdown and it took me just under 2 years with all the closures and it took me a while to get it. I passed third time and had 6 weeks left on my theory test before I had to resit it. One of the best things I ever did!

Good luck, OP! You can do it!

26. I had enough money for 12 hours with a driving instructor, my test being the twelfth. Thankfully I passed first time.

My youngest son, who never needed to drive until he moved to a rural area, didn’t start until his late 30 - you’ll be fine.

When I was around 35. It took maybe 6 months-ish and a couple of attempts at the test. I have driving, and I think learning later in life makes me much more aware of the dangers and I've never developed the absolute confidence people that have driven most of their adulthood. But, that said, I'm glad I learned, it helped me further my career and it affords me flexibility and freedom I would never have had now.

I’m 50 and still can’t do it

Started when I turned 17 and passed my test first time seven months later. This was 30 years ago though.

First lesson on my 17th and passed first time 3 months later.

Did the same with our son, first lesson on his 17th and passed 4 months later.

Both with plenty of practice from parents so relatively few lessons needed.

Definitely the earlier you start the better, but also a keen interest in how to drive, observing roads, traffic signs and watching how to drive when a passenger etc before you start learning.

17. Best to learn whilst you feel invincible.

17 but I hated it at the time, was riddled with anxiety so failed 1st time passed 2nd time.

20, it took years on and off due to costs and shit instructors.
If I was learning now I'd do in an automatic, they're the future.

I was 17. My dad taught me to drive and I passed first time. I’ve been driving for 42 years.
I recently taught my son to drive, he turned 17 in 2021 so driving instructors were booked up for months, my DH had a stroke and was no longer able to drive so DS, who had been in no hurry to learn, needed to start driving himself to sixth form ( we live rurally). He drove everywhere for 3months and clocked up 150+ hrs. He passed his test 2nd attempt.

One thing to bear in mind is that learning to drive an automatic is far easier and the insurance for automatics for new drivers is a lot cheaper. People are critical of not learning in a manual because it limits the cars you can drive but a lot of hire car companies are moving towards automatics. With the increase in all electric cars , which are essentially automatic, it is much easier to drive an auto if you are moving from an electric car.

Over 40. It took the standard/average 40 hours of lessons, but it took a long time because I had crippling migraines that year and had to cancel frequently.

I learnt in a manual because it would be easier to buy cheap cars or hire cars later, and honestly gears were the hardest part.

It was terrifying at first, but a good instructor should be patient and reassuring with that. It helped to remind myself that he wasn't going to ask me to do anything dangerous or that I wasn't ready for because he'd be at as much risk as me!

Best thing I've done in years. I feel freer. I love my tiny car. It has a name.

I passed December last year at age 45 after about 7 months of lessons best thing I ever did my only regret is I left it so long, 100% go for it it’ll change your life!