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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think 'I don't drive' is not a valid excuse?

534 replies

peppatax · 26/05/2017 08:40

Two parts to this really, I don't know many adults that don't drive to ask but if you don't drive, can I ask why not?

Second part I guess is if you don't drive, do you expect others to accommodate you or make allowances for you solely on the basis of not driving?

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 26/05/2017 08:41

What is your aibu? An excuse for what?

WitchesGlove · 26/05/2017 08:42

I do drive but I passed at 26.

Before that I couldn't afford lessons and a car/insurance/MOT

I also failed the test several times, each time my confidence shattered.

It's not as simple as you make out

FuckeryOmbudsman · 26/05/2017 08:43

I can drive, but don't run a car.

Can you send me the money to both buy and run one, without wrecking my budget?

dementedpixie · 26/05/2017 08:43

My sister doesn't drive because she can't afford lessons and if she could drive she couldn't afford the cost and upkeep of a car.

DonaldJBottyburp · 26/05/2017 08:44

An excuse for not driving?

What do you mean OP?

ToastDemon · 26/05/2017 08:44

Cos I tried and I'm not very good at it?

Pyjamaface · 26/05/2017 08:45

I can drive but don't have a car as I can't afford one.

I don't expect anyone to run around after me. I walk or get buses/trains or taxis

ShatnersWig · 26/05/2017 08:45

I know someone with epilepsy. They don't drive.

I know someone who was great in lessons but hopeless at the test so after 4 fails gave up.

I know loads of people in London who don't drive because they don't need to.

I know some blind people. They don't drive. Obviously.

What's your actual point?

wowbutter · 26/05/2017 08:45

I didn't drive until I was 25, not through lack of trying. But I couldn't afford to do endless lessons until I passed. So I did blocks of lessons, practised myself, took a test, failed... waited a bit and repeated. I moved out at 17 so it was bloody expensive for me to fund, and yes, it is annoying when people can't drive, but it isn't as simple as thy are too lazy.
I had huge driving anxiety brought in by a crash I was part of, and that is why I kept failing as I was s anxious about being crashed into.

NoSquirrels · 26/05/2017 08:45

Depends.

I didn't drive for years.

I didn't ask for special accommodation particularly, but if visiting someone by public transport eg train, perhaps I'd need a lift to and from the station.

If a trip with toddlers was planned somewhere that needed a car e.g farm park, we'd have to decline.

I'd never arrange something I couldn't get myself to and from, but if I was expected at an event that would be impossible or impractical to manage with public transport then I would need someone to help or accept I couldn't come.

Sparklingbrook · 26/05/2017 08:45

I don't understand the question but I don't know anyone who can't drive.

Wonderflonium · 26/05/2017 08:45

I can't because of dyspraxia. I'm not safe on the road and failed my test twice. So, I live in places with good bus routes.

HeyHoThereYouGo657 · 26/05/2017 08:45

I can drive but have no licence at the moment

I also cannot afford to buy an upkeep a car

HTH

Shoxfordian · 26/05/2017 08:45

I don't drive because I had an accident and since then haven't had a car. I don't need to drive though because I live in London so I don't expect anyone to give me lifts or anything

HarrietKettleWasHere · 26/05/2017 08:46

What is the question? What am I making an excuse of?

I don't drive. I'm not sure it's something you can blag Confused

It's partly to do with money, a lot to do with a lack of confidence. Do I expect people to make allowances? No I fucking well don't, I'm quite happy to hop on public transport, thank you very much.

Don't be so bloody patrionising.

Smeaton · 26/05/2017 08:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nixnjj · 26/05/2017 08:46

I lost my best friend on her first trip out after passing her test. It was the other drivers fault but every time I got behind the wheel I have traumatic flashbacks.

No I don't expect others to make exceptions there are other forms of transport

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 26/05/2017 08:46

I don't drive. I'm just really bad at it.

Don't expect anything from anyone, live in a small town and walk everywhere.

SciFiG33k · 26/05/2017 08:47

I have a licence and a car but I absolutely hate driving. I will only drive if I HAVE to. Otherwise I walk bike taxi. I don't expect anyone to accommodate for me except my husband who I try to make it up to.

LostMyDotBrain · 26/05/2017 08:47

It sounds like this might be about a more specific scenario than you're letting on but you don't want to go into it because it might not show you in the best light.

YouTheCat · 26/05/2017 08:47

I can't drive. I did take lessons but was absolutely dreadful, would have been a liability on the roads and I couldn't afford to keep up the lessons anyway. All my friends took their tests at 17 (funded by their parents) but at the time we had no spare money.

If I was able to drive, I wouldn't be able to afford to run a car. I live in a city with brilliant public transport and see no reason to add to the pollution.

iklboo · 26/05/2017 08:47

The DVLA really aren't keen on me getting behind the wheel with sudden, unpredictable and debilitating vertigo attacks where I lose balance, sight & focus.

Auspiciouspanda · 26/05/2017 08:47

Because it's expensive as fuck if you didn't get lessons handed to you at 17?

Therefore I get the bus and don't expect anyone to give me a lift anywhere.

stripeknee · 26/05/2017 08:47

there are so many reasons why people drive or choose not to drive, health conditions, cost and expense, no where to store a car and many more

i help out my friends and family who do not drive when they need it, if i am in a position to

user1495366815 · 26/05/2017 08:48

I'd love to drive. Couldn't afford lessons except very infrequently.

I am having lessons but it will be a while until I'm at passing standard.