To think we should all ensure our daughters can drive a car

[Fiddledee]

So many posters saying they can't do x,y,z because they can't drive. Yes its expensive but I think alot more valuable than alot of other stuff we spend on our kids.

I will be marching my daughter to the learner driver school on the first day possible. Even if we couldn't afford it I would encourage her to learn asap after starting work and to save for it.

I just want to reduce the dependency of women on men driving them everywhere. We are not in the 1950s.

Hope for the best- in answer to your questions:

As a non driver I live within walking distance of four supermarkets and a large town centre. My DS's school is about 7 mins walk from town and about 12 minutes walk from home. If shop A doesn't have something I walk to shop B. Usually though, I shop online for groceries. For emergencies there are taxis and ambulances.

When the oil runs out it won't bother me. When petrol prices go up it doesn't affect me. Non drivers usually choose where they live carefully. I have done so and even DH agreed I may as well give up my detested driving lessons now I live in the middle of everything.

When petrol prices go up it doesn't affect me - how do you think the food is transported to your supermarket by magic?

Ok, so it doesn't affect nondrivers as much as drivers. Unless you get a discount if you flash your license. [Hmm]

Chestnut- I didn't say food prices didn't affect me, they affect everyone whether you drive or not, but I don't have to buy petrol every week to get around.

Yabu....I had lots of lessons but gave up before ds2 was born, plus we can only afford one car and DH works so there is little point in me doing the test, I would hardly ever drive anyway

I actually feel quite smug that I save so much by not being reliant on a fuel guzzler. My friends all worry about petrol prices, insurance, parking spaces, tax, MOT etc etc. I really don't see the point. We live central to town and for bigger shops there is always delivery. I like to smell the summer when I walk about, stop to chat to friends I meet on the way in and out of town, stretch my legs and feel healthy. I don't ever have to rant about the traffic on the way home or road rage.

I can understand if you live in the sticks or have a disability, but when you live within walking distance to everything you need then it's really not a necessity. If you do decide to get a car then don't moan on about the connected costs or traffic/parking spaces in town, ever, because I really really don't care.

hopeforthebest - I could easily do all those things in any of the places I have ever lived as I live centrally. Just live in places where you can go to th beach, shops, schools, gym, restaurants etc all on foot in about 10 minutes.

I know quite a few men who don't drive. I don't see it as a feminist issue. But it can be a useful skill.

Ah, but I loves my car, I do!!

I'm happy to pay for her upkeep!

Diddledee (I have only read the title + Op)

Yes. Absolutely.

Gain a Licence (plus International Licences)

Absolutely.

I think the biggest problem for me would be that if I didn't drive then I would have no real choice other than to live fairly central to a city or large town. That alone is enough to make me pleased I drive. But each to their own!

spotty, not necessarily. I live in a very rural location and manage quite well. as with everything, if youve never had it you dont miss it. Im never late for anything and get everything done.

The time when I felt really free is when I bicycled everywhere. But then I worked in central London, where cycling is often much much quicker than driving. I do really enjoy driving my truck now, but it isn't necessary to use it all the time.

So driving. A useful, but not necessary skill for both sexes (but don't get too reliant on your car).

I can drive but don't own a car because I don't need one and can't justify the expense.

I cycle and walk everywhere or get public transport. If I really and truly need a car (rare) I hire one.

So yes, it is perfectly possible not to drive

BUT

I agree with the OP that I think that it is a necessary skill. I always have the choice to own a car/drive and so nothing is off limits. I started takiing lessons when I was in my twenties because I was job hunting and realised how limited I was in my search without a car. As it happens I got a job on the doorstep, but it was nice to have the option.

I don't get poeple who say "oh, I don't drive". It took me 2 years of lessons and 7 tests so it didn't exactly come naturally, but now I have a licence. It's not completely impossble.