Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why people 'don't drive'

974 replies

ZX81user · 06/05/2018 13:07

..medical conditions aside.It is such a useful life skill.
I think it is part of a parent's responsibility to get their teen througj their test.

OP posts:
NameChanger22 · 06/05/2018 13:09

I don't need to, I can't afford to, I find driving stressful and I don't want to. It's better for everyone and the environment if we have fewer cars on the roads.

Why are you trying to encourage more people to drive? Are you jealous of us non-drivers?

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 06/05/2018 13:10

If you live in a city with good transport it's often not needed

nokidshere · 06/05/2018 13:11

I only learned to drive in my 30's when I moved out of London. Before then I simply didn't need to and had more exciting things to spend my money on

MrsJimmyPerez · 06/05/2018 13:11

Because there are already enough cars on the roads, because they can't afford lessons or buy and run a car, because using public transport feels more connected to your community and environment...?

freddomonster · 06/05/2018 13:11

You can wonder all you like I suppose but YABU to judge.

longhairdocare · 06/05/2018 13:11

Some people are scared to, some people don’t need to, some people can’t afford to, some people simply don’t have the skills...

Why don’t some people cook, swim or speak a second language? All useful life skills...

NukaColaGirl · 06/05/2018 13:13

Because my Dad couldn’t afford to pay for my lessons etc

Because I still can’t afford to learn

Simple really

JaiPo · 06/05/2018 13:13

I don't drive because I've no recent useful ''driving history''. It's been over 4 years since I drove so my driving history useless. Insurance quotes shocked me. Also, there's tax, petrol, the cost of a car, servicingit etc.

As there's a very good bus route 7 minutes walk from my house that takes me to work I don't need one. I am saving for my dd's university fees and maybe to get work done on my house, so really it'd be so stupid to buy a car, just to be conventional.

I get a taxi home from places, or even at the weekend I get a taxi to the shops and home again and my taxi bills don't even come CLOSE to what I'd be spending if I had a car.

Mannix · 06/05/2018 13:13

Now I live in the country and I drive a lot. But when I lived in London I had a licence but didn't own a car. It's not necessary in a place where public transport is good.

However it is annoying if the non driver is often relying on other people for lifts and can't return the favour.

jaseyraex · 06/05/2018 13:14

I don't drive because I don't want to. It's as simple as that. I will happily take the bus/train/etc.

CaptainCabinets · 06/05/2018 13:15

Oh my goodness I’ve wanted to post this thread SO many times! I notice it’s always ‘I don’t drive’ instead of ‘I can’t drive’, not sure why that grates on me but it does.

Also why on earth would we be jealous @NameChanger22? I just have another option available to me, I could get a bus, train or walk if I liked, but I also have my car.

It’s always non-drivers who completely take the piss as far as lifts and petrol money goes, too.

rosy71 · 06/05/2018 13:15

Living within walking distance/public transport distance of everything.
Can't afford to/don't want to afford to.
History - e.g. have experienced.lost someone in a serious accident.
Have learned but failed test.
Environmental reasons.

I'm sure there are others too.

Byebyebye · 06/05/2018 13:15

My parents couldn’t afford to pay for my driving lessons from start to finish.

I will start (at 27) if I get my pay rise as that’s the only way I could afford it.

Do you live in a different fucking universe where everyone can afford something just because you say it’s a necessity?

SymphonyofShadows · 06/05/2018 13:16

This thread subject crops up roughly once a month. They all go the same way, which is basically mind your own business and stop being so judgy.

JaiPo · 06/05/2018 13:16

Good point about not putting more cars on the road. That's the last thing we need.

I hope we move in to more eco-aware norms where not driving isn't questioned like it was a bizarre habit

AwfulSomething · 06/05/2018 13:16

I can't afford to, I don't actually need to, it's lazy and bad for health.

I am actually learning, it's costing a fortune and there's no way I can afford a car. Dunno why I am bothering.

catlover1987 · 06/05/2018 13:17

I don't drive because I actually can't. Have tried so many times but just can't do it. Luckily I live in a place with excellent public transport links and enjoy walking.

teaandtoast · 06/05/2018 13:17

...so they don't have to give bastard lifts when they'd rather laze in the garden.

noeffingidea · 06/05/2018 13:17

I dont drive because I don't want to. Instead I walk, use public transport or the occassional cab. I don't ask for lifts, in fact I don't really like it when people offer them.

RedBlu · 06/05/2018 13:18

When I was younger, my parents couldn't afford to pay for lessons for me (most of the people I knew had parents who paid for their lessons at 17/18).

When I started work, I couldn't afford it and didn't have the time and I am now 30 and still don't know how to drive as I just never bothered to take any lessons as I lived in the city.

A couple of years ago when we bought our first house, we moved further out so the fact I can't drive, does cause me issues now so I do intend to learn eventually!

However because I put it off so long I am quite nervous about learning in case I am crap and don't understand or something!

HolyMountain · 06/05/2018 13:18

I tried learning, I was shit at it.

My view is that the roads are safer without me on it and I think pedestrians and drivers would be in agreement.

Graceface26 · 06/05/2018 13:18

I don't think it's unreasonable to wonder, however i think there are plenty of great reasons not to drive.

I don't agree with the idea that parents need to get their children through their tests at all. At this time I wouldn't recommend driving to any teen. It's ridiculously expensive, a lot of them don't need to drive if they're at college/uni/work. Obviously it's different if a car is essential to where you live/work, but I bet that often public transport or other options are available.

The only time I think people should drive is when they rely heavily on other people to ferry them about. I know a few people like this.

OneStrangeRocj · 06/05/2018 13:19

Jealous of non drivers??! HmmGrin

What’s there to be jealous of. I can drive. If I want to not drive then I won’t.

KadabrasSpoon · 06/05/2018 13:19

I don't want to and much prefer walking. I live near to London and public transport is pretty reliable and faster and cheaper than driving.
I probably should learn at some point in case I need to drive a long distance I suppose. Although I can't see myself buying or running a car for a good few years.

flowersWB · 06/05/2018 13:20

I passed my test many years ago on the fifth attempt. I then didn't have an opportunity to actually drive for several years and lost my confidence. After a refresher course I can now do little suburban a-b stuff but I get panicky and scared about anything bigger and I'm a bit of a danger so I avoid it whenever I can. I think that makes me quite responsible...