To apply for a job when it says applicants should be able to drive...and I can't?

[HennyPennyHorror]

The part about driving is not in the "Essential" list. It's in a part sectioned "Successful applicants must be prepared to" and that goes on to list a bit about police checks, a bit about Child Safe Environment Training (we're in Oz) and then "Drivers licence"

There's a separate section listed as "Essentials" and that includes certain technical knowledge, certain computer skills and other things.

AIBU to assume that the driving part is non-essential but I should be prepared to learn?

I was planning to anyway....I really could do this job well! If I got in interview I would book lessons immediately so they could see I was serious...even though it would be a stretch financially.

No harm in applying espc when willing to learn.

Ring the company and ask them.

You are wasting their time. Does the job require travel/driving?

You can apply, they can turn you down. Just don’t lie.

What's the job? I'm in Aus and I'd assume you need to travel for your role and there's no public transport.

I've just returned home after a long time in the UK and I'd forgotten the distances to get anywhere!

There's no guarantee you'll get your licence, what would you do in the meantime if it's needed straight away?

Is it office based or outreach? - outreach you couldn't go to appointments on the bus it would take you all day.

Why not get started on learning while you apply? If it's something you were thinking of doing anyway, and it could only ever be a bonus to future jobs etc. So instead of promising to do it if you get the job, show them you've already taken the initiative.

If you have to drive around then yes it’s a waste of time.

It depends, what's the job? There was a post on here awhile ago from someone who wanted to be a rural community nurse who couldn't drive, which was clearly ridiculous.its not something like that is it?

To answer a few questions, it's mainly office based but there would probably be occasions when I would have to visit certain community centres across our area. There are 3 of them and they're all in central suburbs which aren';t too far apart. I travel to them regularly on public transport from where I live. The public transport here is excellent.

Also...if it was ESSENTIAL to drive then why isn;t it in that part?

The driving part is listed along with the police check...which most employers know not everyone has...but will get if asked.

It’s worth applying and you can find out how essential it is at interview. My job description says that I have to be prepared to work on other sites if needed, but the reality is that they wouldn’t send me there without a lot of notice (I’ve never known it happen to anyone) and with planning it’s doable with public transport. If this job you’re applying for turns out to be similar, then it’d be a shame not to apply when driving isn’t really essential.

It may be that if you and another candidate are tied, they use the driving license as the deciding factor, but you don’t know unless you try.

If it’s listed as a desirable not an essential criteria then definitely apply, but accept you might lose out to someone similarly qualified who. Can drive.

If you are thinking of learning I’d definitely add that to your application.

Rando that's what I'm thinking. I know someone who works for the same organisation in a very similar role and he's barely out of the office.

Never has to do visits...only a couple of times per year though I accept there's no reason for me to assume this will be the same.

The reason I thought I'd try is that I'm so qualified for it. I tick every single box on the essential list and strongly too.

Oh have a go, nothing to lose if you are strong in the essential section.

I would definitely apply for it under the conditions mentioned. Just be clear that you don't have your license yet if asked about it.

I would go for it. If you can use public transport in a timely manner, then I don't see what the issue would be.

HR person here. If driving is in the Essentials bit then I wont bother, numerous other applicants will have licences already. If in the Desirable bit and you are willing to travel in other ways, ie public transport, while you learn to drive then I would. If you get an interview tackle it with them up front and highlight how you would do the travelling until you get your licence - give them solutions so they can see how keen you are. Good luck!

Op apply for job then book yourself in for intensive course of driving lessons so you have your licence within a week (if you pass of course)

I did a job which involved site visits/ regular residents meetings etc. I got a bus. Other people cycled (they were pretty fit!). My employer was public sector though and was trying to promote sustainable travel. If you are a strong enough candidate and outshine others you may have a chance.
You could always ring and ask if your application would be considered if you can't drive. Ask to speak to the person who would be your manager as they will be best placed to know how essential it is that you can drive (where I worked JD were written by low level staff with no experience of the job! When I discovered this is explained why the job i did never really matched the JD (and why some JD were incomprehensible nonsense).

Call them and ask.

If I got in interview I would book lessons immediately so they could see I was serious

Book lessons now anyway. Then you can legitimately say you are learning if they ask.

Purple I said quite clearly that it's not in the essentials. Thanks for the luck though!

We recently had someone join who was learning & we had it written into her contract that unless she passed her driving test by a certain date, we would fail her probation.

It’s worth applying & if you do get an interview, ask around driving commitments and say you are currently learning. Then get learning!

My current job listed similar.

It turns out we have to be able to drive to get to work (middle of nowhere, no public transport anywhere nearby) and the only way a non driver would be able to work there is by relying on lifts or stupidly expensive taxis.

I'd call and ask.

As a none driver it's a common assumption that everyone drives - so if it's in the none essential bit it could just be that.

If you get called to interview you can make it clear you're will to learn or are learning and already know you can get to the needed locations via public transport.