Learning to drive in my late-30s.

[MxDaisy]

I'm considering learning to drive at the ripe old age of 38.

If you've done this, please tell me all the ways its good or bad idea.
Please tell me the brilliant and terrible experiences you had.

I had some lessons when I was 17 and I was pretty good at it. But I was fearless back then and driving was just the next natural step in growing up so I didn't think about it too much.

But now I'm 38. I'm a lot more cautious and I have a tendency to overthink myself into frustration.

Am I absolutely mad to be considering doing this?

I started at passed at 41 3 years ago I absolutely love it.

I passed in December! I’m in my 30s. For the theory get one of the various theory apps and try and do it everyday, I liked the 4 in 1, one because if you completed a certain amount of practice tests they’d refund your real test if you failed. You should defs do it, I’ve got such freedom now and while it’s scary the pros massively outweigh the cons.

Thank you for replying. Please may I ask how long it took you to learn?

Learn on an automatic and get going. You'll be brilliant and so happy you've done this.

Dh taught me rather than formal lessons, so quite a while, was about a year with some longish breaks. Think it would be massively quicker with formal and regular lessons

Learn in an auto. So much easier, it’s never too late to try. I think I was 36 when I passed.

My mother passed first time in her 60s in an automatic. If she could do it, so can you! It'll be life changing.

I passed at the age of 37 several months ago at my third test.

the 4 in 1 app mentioned above is really great for the theory, I nearly full marks with using that app.

Can you go out with someone regularly? Outside of lessons as that’s when I really became ready for my test.

When I really pushed it took me 5 months but that was constant driving every day with someone for at least 1-2 hours.

I passed my test at 39, so I've now been driving for 19 years.

The freedom it have me immense! I used to drive all over the country for work. I remember driving to High Wycombe shortly after passing my test. It took 50 minutes. The train journey used to take well over 3 hours! All the hanging round waiting for trains, going all the way into London to go out again, waiting for taxis was all gone and it felt wonderful.

Goodness me, I definitely should've said that I'd learn in an automatic.
Gears make no sense.

Thank you for your replies - you're all making me feel more positive about it.

That's a great point about getting out to practice every day. Unfortunately, I don't really have anyone who could do this because DP doesn't drive. I may need to bribe a friend.

Of course you can do it. See how you get on but also maybe consider automatic if you are finding it difficult with manual. Manual does give you more options if possible but I drive auto now (having passed and previously driven for years manual) I love it and would not go back and has made driving so much less stressful, I only have to think about stopping and going (obviously that is not all driving is) but even things like approaching a roundabout with lots of lanes, cars etc. not also having to be thinking about gears and stalling massively helps the stress I can focus on where do I need to be and what is around me. I now tootle around confidently and happily and get in the car no bother. If you had said to me when learning (literally feeling sick before lessons and positively hated driving to start with even after passing but determined to do so for the freedom and independence) I would have not thought I would be in the place with it now. Good luck it is so worth it! 😊

A year or so

Dhs aunt learned in her 60’s in an auto.

I learned last year at age 34 and it was necessary for me. It was scary at the start and I think I was a lot more cautious and slow to pick things up just because of having that extra life experience and fear of what can go wrong. But it wasn't difficult and after a few lessons moving the actual car clicked into place and I wasn't nervous at all.

I did all my lessons in a manual then switched to automatic after I failed my first test. I don’t feel like this limits me in any way that will ever matter to me (I just do short trips around with my son really, I’d never rent a van or drive abroad and my husband’s car is also auto).

I had nine months of lessons, but that was mainly because I had to book my test that far in advance. I’d say I was test ready after 7. If I’d done auto from the start, I’d say maybe even 5.

Thank you everyone for your comments.

I contacted an instructor this afternoon but he's booked until December this year so closed his waiting list. On to the next.....

I'm starting I'm 30s too :)

How are you feeling about it?

I did it when I had two babies, after numerous attempts I passed, it is so useful.

I'm in my mid 30's and still don't drive but Im definitely going to, it will be the theory test that I will struggle, I'm not very good at reading tests 🤦🏼‍♀️ good luck you you though 😊

I'm learning to drive now in my mid thirties. It's definitely more anxiety inducing but it's enjoyable too. I have my test booked in a few months and I'm praying I pass! Do it!

I'm 41 and learning now. I don't enjoy the lessons but I can't wait to (hopefully) past my test and start driving. I am over cautious and hesitate which I think is worse with age.

Don’t be daft, you’re absolutely fine. I started at 39 and loved it

Well I was the ripe old age of 47 when I passed my test. I had no interest in driving whatsoever when younger but I was made redundant and my partner said I needed to drive to enhance my job opportunities. It is the best thing ever, I have now been driving for 3yrs and am loving it. I only wish I'd done it 30 years ago.
Oh the Freedom
Go for it 🚗 🚘 🚔
Good luck 👍 💓