To think it's not vital for DC to learn to drive as soon as they are 17?

[dollybird]

DC are 13 and 14 so it's a little way off yet, but I think we should wait and see how much they want to learn to drive and also bear in mind that they may go to uni and not have use of a car for a few years. As its so expensive to learn to drive and then to get insurance etc, I think there are more important things to help DC with money wise.

This came up again in conversation the other day and DH said 'you can't get on in life if you can't drive' which I think is utter rubbish. I said what if they decided to move to London where public transport is good and having a car could be a waste of time? And he came back with 'do you want that'? To which I replied obviously I'd be upset if they moved away but if they want to move to London or anywhere else then I would support that. I certainly wouldn't stop them. He decided to put a halt to the conversation as we were supposed to be having a 'nice evening' but I still think he's wrong. AIBU?

I would say that driving is a life skill and my two lads will be having lessons as soon as possible. I know too many people who have put it off and then it has hampered them when going for certain jobs

DS is late 20s and learning now. I have to go out with him to practise. It's bloody scary.

As someone who still cannot drive in her mid 30s and lives in London, I can tell you that it is a PAIN wherever you live, and I wish so much my parents had made sure I'd done this. If you can afford it, PLEASE make them learn.

I have tried to learn several times in adult life, scheduling lessons after work in the dark / on weekends etc... and so far failed 3 tests. It's much easier to learn when you're younger, more confident, have more time and maybe parents who can take you out to practice.

Getting my driving test nailed is very high on my to do list, but I'm so busy now!

It shows that you are proactive and have taken the initiative so although maybe not essential, it certainly would figure very high on my list.
I passed my test and couldn't afford a car for five years later, but was still so glad I'd already jumped that hurdle. The longer you leave it the harder/more expensive it is surely.

Apparently 40% of adults don't hold a licence..

That's not right. Its 40% of the total population (including children) that don't hold full UK driving licenses. This probably works out at about 25% of adults and some of them will be driving on non-UK licenses.

Being able to drive means that more opportunities are open to you, employment or otherwise if you don't have to limit yourself purely to those in a convenient location.

It would have been impractical if not impossible to have done my job (financial services sector) without being able to drive to different client sites all over the country/abroad. Extortionate travel time & expenses would be a massive incentive to learn to drive!

We live in a rural area, our two children both learnt and passed when they were 17
It's a skill that is really useful
Our two used it as evidence for the skills section for their D of E awards

Same here User... we fell that at least we were getting "value for money" as the lessons were also used for DofE!

Our's learnt at 17. We paid for the lessons and their first year of insurance. We live rurally, I'm disabled and DH is in the armed forces so it was kind of important for them to learn. DH and I both learnt at 17, too.

DS1 joined the army at 19. As he already had his driving license his Phase 2 training was faster and he is now able to drive tracked vehicles and larger category vehicles.

DS2 is in his second year at uni in a city. He's sold his car and bought a bike because he doesn't actually need to drive. He can cycle or use public transport. However, when he comes home he can drive my car which is helpful to me because at present I can only drive about 5 miles.

I think it is, the earlier they learn the better, I didn't I lived in a place where I could walk or get the bus to places, even though I had a great part time job and loads of disposable cash I didn't learn!
Now at 38 having spent thousands at least and doing my 3rd driving test in a few weeks I am desperate to drive. It will make my life much easier for me and my daughter end for my job, I'm lucky that I received some inheritance money from my grandad enabling me to afford driving lesson as it's very expensive.
I am saving up for my daughters lesson now and she is not even 4.
17 is a great age to at least try lessons.

User that's good to know it can be used for DofE too as DS is doing his bronze level at the moment

Having been the only one of my friends who put the time, effort and money to learn to drive, there is nothing more annoying than people constantly harrassing and guilt tripping you into giving lifts.
It's so annoying! get off your arse and learn to drive yourself!