To think adults who can't drive are a nuisance

[Atthewelles]

Barring situations where an illness or financial circumstances proscribe it aibu to think adults who can't drive are a PITA. People have to constantly go out of their way to collect/drop them off places; arrange plans around the times that suit the non-driver who can't travel solo but has to tag along with you; always be the designated driver who can't have a drink while the non driver happily slurps a third glass of wine etc etc etc

Yes, I have been spending too much time with a non driving sibling over the family Christmas but AIBU to think that a perfectly functioning adult (who is extremely technically minded) in full time paid employment, should bloody well learn to drive.

Someone might have passed their test but if they, for instance, can't afford to run a car then they may still become a "burden"...because they still might need lifts or need to rely on poor public transport

7 of us grew up no car.parents immigrants csmw here in late 60s illiterate in their own country so driving was the last issue on their minds. Poor too so no car. We survived on foot and buses.

comfort hows it selfish i dont ask my husband for lifts other than pregnancy ones. I rely on my feet and transport. i dont feel bad coz i do domestics while he does zero.

Wats having no tv got to do with this? Ive had a tv 8 months and its 8 months of hell with kids fighting over it every wknd. Moving soon so tv will be sold i dont need a dumb box my choice just as it is others who choose to have one. Ive dobecwithout for 10 yrs prior to thar 26 yrs of tv i know im not missing out on life. I got it for my dad since hes moved in with me and akways had one. But the negatives outweigh everything it will have to go

I hate it the way some on here think that driving is so easy, that anyone can do it, when it is not. There are all sorts of reasons why some do not drive, and it is not all to to do with being lazy. I hate it the way that non drivers are portrayed as inferior, lazy etc, the stereotypes keep coming.

I live in a city so I don't need to drive. I walk or take public transport. The only time I might need a lift is if someone organises something in a place that is not accessible by public transport, in which case it's the fault of the organiser.

Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, why would you drive to a pub anyway. Get the bus there and share a taxi back or go back on the last bus.

"We're talking about grown adults who simply chose not to ever bother with driving lessons and passing the test, they're bloody selfish. "

How is it selfish? I'm not polluting the planet as much as you are.

I think drivers are a bloody nuisance. Sometimes you can hardly breath the air and the roads are jammed for miles with one person per car, holding up public transport, not to mention all the people they kill every year.

MIL not being able to drive is a real PITA. She never had a good reason not to learn, just couldn't be bothered when FIL was around to do it, now he's gone and her son (my DH) has to do a lot of driving for her. Very annoying.

I just don't get how she could not foresee a time when it might be useful to be able to drive....

Yes I know driving licence holders, who cannot afford to run a car, or don't want to, so, yes rely on other means of transport. Mabey the op title should have read, non car owners.

I'm not allowed to drive for medical reasons, I would most likely end up causing severe injury or death to both myself and/or other road users and pedestrians if I were to selfishly lie about my vision issues and drive a car.

I don't ask for lifts unless I absolutely have no other choice, I get the bus or get taxis. If someone offers me a lift then that's on them, they offered, I don't ask as a general rule.

If someone's inconvenienced by me not driving, tough shit, i'd rather be an inconvenience than a murderer

This thread made me realise that I rely on my car far too much. I must try to make some changes this year.

I think there are lots of people that shouldn't be driving, I look at the cars and think most drivers looked pissed off and stressed out, they are all alone, one person in each car and wonder how this became normal. I love driving and would drive all night to anywhere but not everyone likes driving or are good at it.

So many arrogant responses. Maybe respect that you may never know why people don't drive. Many are shit at it, can't pass or have negative past experiences none of which they are obliged to tell you because you don't like walking or getting wet and cold. I fucking hate walking and getting wet and cold but after seven tests, I just don't have a choice. It's ridiculous the extent to which people find it an 'imposition' that others don't drive.

I can't drive. But I can spell and use punctuation... unlike some on this thread. I wouldn't normally comment on it, but if you're going to criticise non-drivers, expect your own skill shortfall to be criticised too... (I'm looking at you catvsworld )

I remember this thread the first time round (yes, been on MN for far too long). Haven't changed my opinion - you only need to drive and own a car if you live in some six-fingered backwater with no transport, or you/partner/DC have mobility issues. The real PITAs are those wusses who live in city centres with excellent, reliable trains/trams/buses/tubes but won't get public transport because the proletariat might eat them or someone might look at them funny.

People have to constantly go out of their way to collect/drop them off places; arrange plans around the times that suit the non-driver who can't travel solo but has to tag along with you Meh..I am happy to help out friends/family when they need it. I don't get stuck being the designated driver because I am one of the few who can drive, it's because I realise that I can enjoy myself & still be fit to drive home.

Or, I get a cab.

So many say 'I don't drive' not 'can't', whether they can or not.

Friend of a friend had 6 kids, and I wondered to my friend how come she was so serene. Answer, 'She doesn't drive - everyone else has to chauffeur her kids all over the place while she sits there with her third glass of wine.' (Exactly what she was doing while kids running riot all around.). 'She's the clever one - we're the mugs.'

H has a saying "Some are born to drive and others are born to be driven"

He doesnt like the fact that if he hasnt got a lift with his usual car share then I wont pick him up. My saying is "Some are born to drive and others are born to be driven, or fucking walk" He did once (once!) mention how much taxis cost him when he isnt car sharing, and I pointed out that it would cost less per week if he took driving lessons.

I think it comes down to the fact that he is frightened he would be crap at it so doesnt want to try. Which is fine, but I am not a chauffeur.

Very mean thread. No one knows the deep reasons why another person does or does not do something.

You wouldn't know to look at me but I can't see well out of one eye and have ASD. Both things make me extremely nervous about potentially learning to drive because I know I would be a real risk to others.

I don't inconvenience people either, if someone offers me a lift home then...thanks very much, I appreciate offers and also provide petrol money. I would never ask for a lift anywhere except in extreme circumstances.

What is it with the superiority complex some people have about being able to drive? I'm still a real grown up you know!

I've passed my test, but find driving really scary. Those of you that find it easy just don't understand that some of us don't have the co-ordination and the fast reactions needed to feel comfortable with driving.

Pourmeanotherglass - you just need to do it more. I passed my test (after five goes) a year and a half ago. I am not a person strong on co-ordination at all, but I swear the more you do it, the more like second nature it will become, until you are co-ordinating and reacting without even thinking about it. It really does become like an extension of your own body after a time.
I am the clumsiest, most feather brained dipshit going and I promise you, the more you drive the easier it becomes. I am sooooo much more confident as a driver than I was when I finally passed my test.
Best thing I ever did.

This ZOMBIE thread is 4 years old this year, it was bumped with a now deleted plug for a driving school.

But somehow it has got everyone all wound up for a second time. Why don't MNHQ either leave the alert longer or lock the threads?

I don't drive, I couldn't learn when young due to illness and now I don't need to as I would use a car maybe twice a month which isn't worth the money to run or learn to drive right now. I walk, use the train or get a bus it isn't often I get anyone to come and pick me up or drop me off unless they are already In the area and going to the same place. The only time I ever feel guilty is when my DH can't drink if we go out somewhere by car however I would rarely drink at these times anyway. Get off your high horse and don't label all non drivers the same.

I have no problem with non-drivers, provided they are prepared to take full responsibility for getting themselves to wherever they need to be. But it's bloody irritating when they start guilt-tripping you for a lift with the fact that the trains aren't running or they're feeling tired or it's chucking down with rain or whatever.

Gosh the warmth is all encompassing there isn't it?

I take full responsibility for transporting myself and my kids to places, if somebody offers me a lift its up to them. I don't ask, unless it's dh and it's absolutely necessary.

I know pictish the empathy displayed by some here, is wonderful not! I hope that you are never in a position to not be able to drive anymore, yes it can happen, and have to rely on other modes of transport and a bit of understanding!

Shock horror to get cold and wet whilst you cycle, or wait for your bus or taxi to arrive, no wonder many on here seem very pampered, they woukd be screwed if they found themselves not being able to own a car!

This thread is depressing. Most non drivers I know (I'm one of them), get from A to B just fine without relying on others.
We walk, catch the bus, train, or phone for a taxi.

Apparently we aren't even meant to say we don't drive when in fact we can't, as we are confusing people...you know, they're not sure where to place us in their hierarchy.

Sure, some people will take the piss regarding lifts, but most of us don't.
please leave us alone!