"I don't drive"

[AmusingSpoonerism]

I know IprobablyABU but this turn of phrase really winds me up. People say "I don't drive" when they mean "I cannot drive" or "I am not legally entitled to drive". It's not like they just decided that it's not something they'd like to do anymore so stopped. It really (unreasonably) winds me up.

Am I the only one?

See! See it!!!!

Just imagine lots of floaty scarves and a Lycra bodysuit and you are half way there....

I only passed three days ago, it's not something iv said before but it's definitely not something that would annoy me.

I quite like telling people I can't / don't drive. I live in a very car-centric city, in a country where everyone learns at 15 or 16 and it absolutely blows people's minds when I say "...and I don't even have a driver's license!".

Funnily enough, no one is ever rude or disparaging (that seems to be an MN thing). They are just curious and often impressed at how I manage to get myself and the children around on foot / bike / bus as doing so is so unusual here. And no, I don't scrounge lifts, even from DH.

YABU. I can drive. I don't drive. It is an accurate description.

I passed my test over 10 years ago but then never drove again. Partly lack of confidence, partly because we could never justify the expense of two cars which just meant that DH was in the car for work all the time and I got used to walking/public transport. Of course the longer I avoided driving the harder it got to visualise myself behind the wheel. I always felt embarrassed confessing that I "didn't" drive, it made me feel like I wasn't a proper grown up And I did cadge the odd lift

Anyway - 2015 was the year I decided to to face my fears, mainly because DH got a job within walking distance and the car was right there on the drive waiting for me to use it!..(I should add I have NO spacial awareness, struggle to tell left from right, tend to zone out, all the "rubbish driver" attributes mentioned upthread basically) I booked a course of refresher lessons, cried on my nice instructor, then....went for it!! I started by forcing myself out in the car twice a week, yes I drove into a concrete post, yes I got in the wrong lane on a roundabout but I pushed on. Now, a few months in, I am an ok, happy-ish, competent-ish driver. Ok, parking etc is never going to come naturally..but I am getting so much better at it all. And I am beginning (cautiously) to love the freedom and ease it brings to my daily life.

If I can do it, anyone can!

YABU. I can drive but I haven't got a car so I don't drive. Can't think how else I would say it.
I am a proper grown up and I like public transport.

I am a bit at the idea that you are only a 'proper grown up' once you have a drivers license.

My Dad told me a story once about a friend of his. The friend had a sister who had just passed her test after many attempts. The friend was joking that it had taken her so many tries she "probably shouldn't be driving at all haha". A month later she wrapped her car round a tree (no other cars involved) and died. I am sure there are some people on the roads who need a lot more training and others who just shouldn't drive at all. One practical test just isn't enough IMHO. It's too easy to fluke it. It's good to read a few pps who do further training to get back into driving after a break or just because it's a good idea. Unfortunately there are others who think once they have their license they are suddenly perfect drivers who don't need to train at all any more. Surely not driving is actually the 'grown up' option for some.

Even if I was an awesome driver (I might be for all I know), I would still choose public transport. It's greener, safer and less stressful. No brainer.

If I can do it, anyone can!

Ooh how I loathe that phrase

I'm putting my hand up here. Before I passed my test aged about 27 (afaicr, long long time ago) I used to say, rather grandly, I thought, 'I don't drive' because I felt like a bit of a wimp if i admitted to not being able to drive.
I thought it sounded somehow more sophisticated. I was a twat.

If I can do it, anyone can!

Bollocks. Sorry, but that's bollocks.

Quite a few people 'don't drive' as a deliberate choice,even though they can, particularly at this time of year, because they can get lifts everywhere, save on petrol and parking, and drink freely.

So much easier.

I don't drive, people give me lifts all the time, they want me to go to X and know I cant get there, so their invites come with transport provision. I would happily never leave the house again because I'm a reclusive sort, so its no skin off my nose if I don't go, but they want me to, so I oblige, and they drive. Sorted. If you don't want to give people who don't drive lifts, don't offer them one, or say no on request. Its not that hard.

And I have no intention of getting into debates about my 'non-driving' reasons with anyone, so 'don't drive' is a coverall for me.

Oh and I frequently turn down lifts as I genuinely prefer public transport and walking it's about the only excercise I get so I'm definitely not not driving for that reason.

I do drive, but I am grateful to those who choose not to - especially where they feel they aren't cut out for it. They are to be admired, however they describe it.

Goblin I don't think that's true. many drivers take it in turns to drive at Christmas so that there is a designated driver. Many non drivers such as me carry on as usual at Christmas and use public transport.

Competent-ish Also dislike the phrase "If I can do it..."

Simply not the case.

OP, this is a bizarre complaint if ever I heard one.