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 passed at 37, best thing I did! The freedom is brilliant and I LOVE driving!

Give yourself enough time, don't be rushed. I had no-one to practice with so only had my lessons, it took me 14 months. But it was worth it.

I was in my late 40s when I passed in a manual. It is liberating, but I'm an overthinker too and need to learn to spread my wings with it more than I do, it I still get around and about. Good luck.

Being a cautious, defensive driver is always better than being an over-confident and under talented driver.
Good luck

It will change your life and auto is the way to go. I have a friend who is an auto driving instructor. Nearly all her pupils are older (30-55) & they always pass.

I'm mid 40s and will be starting lessons in a couple of months. This thread is encouraging! Have had to wait until DD starts nursery as I have no child-free time now. I attempted learning decades ago but failed my test several times and was stubbornly persisting with a manual car, this time I'm going straight for an automatic. My DH doesn't have a licence either so I have no one to practice with, and I'm expecting it will take months, but I'm in no great rush.

Slightly younger but I passed my test 2 years ago aged 27 and it was the best thing I've ever done and still my proudest achievement to date!

Can someone please tell me what DH stands for 🤦🏼‍♀️

Dear or darling husband.

Thanks everyone ☺️

Congratulations to everyone who's passed recently and good luck to everyone getting ready for their tests.

You've all given me such a boost for this - I'm contacting driving instructors today to see if I can get booked in, or put on a waiting list!

Nervous but also kind of excited too.

I'm about to start too aged 32! Pregnancy has given me the kick up the arse to do it. Might do one of those intense courses

I passed at 38, first time, 9 months of lessons. One I felt confident I went out with dh and just drove around a bit a couple of times a week. I feel very confident driving and it has made life so much easier.

Learnt for the 5th time while pregnant with second child, passed aged 31 at 12 weeks pregnant on the third attempt. I have an automatic license.

Still count it as one of my greatest achievements- loathed the lessons and was hyperventilating during all my practical tests but now I love it and happy driving anywhere and everywhere.

It is possible, just because it is daunting and difficult in the beginning is not a sign that it will never click.

At the time I felt it was an adult skill and I wasn't able to participate fully in adult life until I mastered it. I don't judge anyone else for not being able to or wanting to learn but for me I knew it was fear and self-doubt holding me back so I pushed on.

You can do it! The first time you get yourself from a to b in 7 minutes as opposed to, say, 47 minutes on public transport is just the best feeling.

Good luck!

I tried between the ages of 19-21 and failed 3 tests. Didn't bother for ages after that and started again at 35. Spent a few months learning and passed first time (so technically 4th time but with 14 years since the previous 3 it felt like first time!)

It was so much than when I was younger. I was more confident in myself in general which translated to confidence in driving. And I had better concentration.

Coming up on my 10th anniversary now and I still love it. Even a 10 minute pop to the shops is still a tiny bit exciting for me and a 3 hour drive is fantastic.

Yeah, I feel this.

Yesterday I had to take the dog to the vets. It was only a 10-minute appointment but it was a 90-minute activity because I couldn't just nip there and back in the car.
Plus the stress of wondering if my taxi will turn up, hoping the dog doesn't have an accident in the taxi, walking the dog back in 20C heat, then carrying the dog for a bit in 20C heat.

I started learning at 36 1/2 and passed my test a few days after my 37th birthday. I say go for it! I learned automatic only, manual is far too much like hard work. But I can’t overstate how much easier my life is now I can drive- it wasn’t an issue when I was living in London with no DC, but living in a market town and being reliant on buses that take over an hour to get to somewhere you could drive to in 15 minutes is no fun, especially with small children and a pram.

I thought manual gears would be really tricky in terms of headspace and coordination, but it’s actually been the least taxing part of learning to drive! Within a lesson or two I was barely thinking about it. I think I would feel really weird not using it now 😆

My DM (always a very nervous type) learned in her mid 40s and carried on driving until she was 80. If she could do it, anyone can!

I'm 32 and only just thinking about learning to drive. I think I'll just do automatic too, my DH and I have discussed it and think that's the best thing for me. I am terrified!! I have 0 confidence and hate tests, the thought makes me want to vomit lol but I know it'll be so worth it in the end. Good luck OP! X

I love that you wrote 36 1/2 😅
I totally understand what you were getting at but your phrasing really made me smile.

Thanks for all the positive stories. But fuck me - driving instructors are like hen's teeth around here. And £45 for a lesson. I used to pay £17.50 back in 2003-ish.

"And £45 for a lesson. I used to pay £17.50 back in 2003-ish."

For ONE HOUR ??!😮

~Goes off to research change of career...~

Best of luck to you OP and everyone who's learning.
It will be absolutely worth it.
And don't forget to come back and update us fully licenced up! 😊🚘

Yep, £45 for a one hour lesson seems pretty standard around here.

It’s about £36 round here – NW

Have seen one person charging as much as £47, but that’s unusual

That’s a service rate 😂 You’re not self-employed, and it shows 😄

You can do it, OP! I am 39 and just passed my test a year ago, after 1 year of lessons. I passed on my fourth attempt. there are still things I feel anxious about when driving, but it’s been absolutely life changing overall!