to think it would be pointless accepting this job?

[hatesponge]

I hate my current job, have a new manager who plainly dislikes me, and every day is a huge effort to come in and sit at my desk. I am totally demotivated and demoralised.

I have now in principle been offered another job. On paper it is my ideal role, allowing me to do all the stuff I enjoy in my current role, and a lot more besides. It would offer autonomy, career progression, and a decent salary increase of about 10-15%.

The downside is the office I'd be required to work in is 15 miles from where I live, not on a public transport route and I can't drive.

I've tried to work out if I could somehow get there by train/bus but it would be pretty much unworkable. I've tried the liftsharing websites but no-one does this journey or anything close to it.

I actually feel like crying. Re driving myself, I have had 3 tests many years ago, failed them all spectacularly. I tried again about 5 years ago, had loads of lessons but was nowhere near taking a test, couldn't even pass my theory.

There's not really any point in me pursuing this job any further is there? :(

I would say go for it. In respect of balance issues with cycle/moped I was like you, could cycle badly. Experience got me to cycle well, and take both arsm off etc. It's confidence mainly, which came with experience. you could always try it and cyle in summer and try taxis at this time of year. I don't cycle fast but in a couple of months I could get to a regular 9 ish mile per hour on a push bike, and often you can take those on a train.

Also I have a friedn who passed when she took a job not able todrive after taking one of those intensive drivign courses.

I have every sympathy, I hate driving, but passed when i was young. Then didn't drive but now do again but only when I have to because I have to. It does get easier (i promise)

maybenow - The theory part includes a hazard perception test - you watch a screen filmed in the driving seat of the car and press the mouse when you see a potential hazard become a hazard. Ability to pass this isn't due to intelligence or lack of it. If you are good at driving you will find this easy and vice versa. But if OP can get better at driving she will pass this.

Some fab ideas here especially the weeks intensive driving course &/or moped.

I passed third time. Go for it!

Lilac - I was approached about the job; initially it was to be in another location which is a 2hr train journey. In offering me to work at this office I think they thought they were being helpful. Which if I could drive they really would be, I'd be able to do the journey in about 30 mins by car I think, quicker if I was ever brave enough to go in the M25

Getorf- thank you for the offer am guessing you're not near the M25 (Kent side) though!

I last took a practical test when I was 18, am 39 now. I'd like to think I wouldn't be quite the hyperventilating wreck I was then...

Capricorn - you've reminded me of the only person I know who took more attempts than me, my cousin who passed on his 8th go. He said he thought the test centre felt sorry for him after so many gos and just let him pass!

Re suggestions of moving, I could. But job is in one of the most expensive areas of the south east, I'd have to try and sell my ramshackle house, and I like where I live, all our friends are here and DS1s school (where Ds2 is likely to start in Yr 7 in Sept) is a 5-10 minute walk away. Plus it has to be cheaper to learn to drive than to move, surely?!

They sound like they really want you!! Perhaps if the two hour train journey location is an option one day a week, you could work from home two or three days and then taxi the rest. Work out how many taxi rides the extra 15% would get you then negotiate the rest once they have offered you the job!

They do sound like they want you. That is really good.

I am in Gloucestershire unfortunately!

I think they key is to find an instructor who you really gel with. I went through loads, until I found one who understood me, was no nonsense. I clicked and went for my test with weeks.

Thank you all so much, you have greatly cheered up my horrible morning with your helpful advice, this is why I heart MN

So currently thinking:

1. Resume my efforts at learning to drive. Start lessons (automatic of course), think about intensive course depending on how fast I'm progressing. Try and get some skill at hazaard perception :)

1. Get a bike and try and do some cycling, to see how long stuff takes me. I need to do more exercise so the practice will do me good even if I don't end up cycling. I don't ever think I'd be able to cycle the whole way. However it's possible if I went via a different train route I could cut out the bus and to do either 3.5/4.5 miles this side (depending on which station I went to, the 4.5 one has a killer hill though so might avoid that!), then train for 25 mins, then 1.5 miles the other. That's not actually that bad is it? even for a crap cyclist like me.

1. Look into taxis as a back up.

They sound like they really want you!! Perhaps if the two hour train journey location is an option one day a week, you could work from home two or three days and then taxi the rest. Work out how many taxi rides the extra 15% would get you then negotiate the rest once they have offered you the job!

hatesponge your bike & train plan sounds really doable - 5 miles one end and 1 mile the other is a great idea. Get yourself a good bike with decent gears and you may even find it is enjoyable

It must be a great confidence boost that they really want you to work there.

I passed 4th time. Failed first three then when my new job required me to drive, the motivation/focus was suddenly just there and I did it. You can do it. Good luck.

I would give it a go (bike and train route) at the weekend - see how hard it is. Of course it will be different in rush hour, but it will give you an idea.

With hazaed perception you can buy DVD's of practice clips and get some free online. I spent LOADS of time practicising them as I struggled with this as well.

Please don't turn down the new job, I have done jobs I've hated and know how horrible it feels for 8 hours plus every day.

I'd look at a 125cc Scooter. The 'twist and go' types are dead easy to ride, electronic ignition and automatic gearbox and a 125cc will top 60mph - so no trouble in keeping pace with main road traffic. (You won't be able to go to on mototrways though) You could get something like this, which I think looks quite chic and retro:

www.kymco.co.uk/like_125cc_scooter

You could even use it at the weekend to head down to Brighton and have a punch-up on the seafront with some Rockers.

As others have said you can ride up to 125cc on a provisional licence and the day long assesment is by all accounts a piece of piss. My partner passed despite never having driven any form of motor vehicle before.

A lot of motorcycle training schools will offer a free tasters on private land for novices that is how my partner got into it.

www.geton.co.uk/content/whats-it-all-about

Worth thinking about anyway.

lol at the punchups.

I am crap at riding bikes but I had a go on dd's scooter and it was great. really easy to ride (no gears or any of that crap) and very easy to balance on, a lot easier than a pushbike imo.

Not only could you get to work in next to no time, you might even get to be Queen of the Mods!

Yep that's what my partner said too a lot easier to balance than a pushbike.

It might be worth checking if anyone else who works in the office also gets the train. You could maybe share a taxi from the station to office for the last part of the journey? Or if someone in the office is passing the station and could give you a lift the rest of the way?