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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Driving lessons at 40

32 replies

SauvignonBlanketyBlank · 05/07/2020 21:44

Not an aibu but so what! I'm not telling anyone other than dh but I've finally had the guts to book a lesson after all these years.Hopefully ill be on the road in my own car before I'm 41 Smile

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 05/07/2020 21:46

Brilliant!

I'm thinking of having refresher lessons because of Covid, before thos not driving didn't bother me.

Michaelbaubles · 05/07/2020 21:48

Well done for starting! I passed my test at 34 and I didn’t tell anyone other than my DH until after I’d passed. Couldn’t deal with the constant well-meaning questions. It’s amazing once you finally a pass - you’ll get a whole new lease of life!

SauvignonBlanketyBlank · 05/07/2020 21:50

Dh has just bought a new car and it's just triggered something in me

OP posts:
EnglishGirlApproximately · 05/07/2020 21:52

Well done! DP passed his test last year at 43 after being terrified of trying for his whole life. Almost 12 months later its honestly been life changing. Saving almost 2 hours a day on his commute, being able to do more with DS and during Covid being able to avoid public transport. You will love the freedom you get when you can drive.

PersonalClown · 05/07/2020 21:55

Go for it!
I passed my test at 36 and haven't looked back.

SauvignonBlanketyBlank · 05/07/2020 21:57

Dh only passed 3 years ago at 37 so he was a late starter too

OP posts:
catthatgotthecream · 05/07/2020 22:41

I passed mine at 33 and was extremely nervous but 2 years on I wonder how I survived without it. Good luck for your lessons.

MereDintofPandiculation · 05/07/2020 22:49

I'm thinking of having refresher lessons because of Covid It's great having lessons without having to worry about the test.

Abbazed · 05/07/2020 22:52

You can do it x Good luck op

Sparklesocks · 05/07/2020 22:53

You can do it Smile

LockdownLump · 05/07/2020 23:01

Fabulous. You can do this. My mum didn't have driving lessons until my dad died. He used to drive everywhere.

My mum didn't pass her test until she was 50. Gave her an absolute new lease of life.

She is 72 now and still driving about everywhere.

Go for it!! I didn't pass until I was 35

Mumratheevergiving · 05/07/2020 23:04

I learnt in an automatic same age as you. I still have to pinch myself that I passed! Now I don’t have sopping wet school runs and can go on days out with friends that aren’t on bus routes, it’s liberating. I found it hard & nerve wracking but had a calm and patient teacher & got there. Good luck, it will be worth it in the end.

DramaAlpaca · 05/07/2020 23:04

Good luck, OP!

My mum passed her test first time in her 60s, so if she can do it, so can you.

Lactarius · 05/07/2020 23:09

I'm 47 and have just booked my theory test with the plan to do an intensive course. I can't face the idea of months of weekly lessons. Stupid thing is that it probably won't change much of my life as I won't commute by car - it's much quicker to cycle and bad weather doesn't bother me - but it will make it much easier to get my son to respite care. Currently that trip is about a 2 hour + round trip to go a distance of not much more than 4 miles each way - the joy of wheelchair use on public transport

DarkDarkNight · 05/07/2020 23:13

Good for you. What has stopped you driving all these years? I’m 37 and I’ve got the fear. It would make my life so much easier but I can’t seem to start.

Even lockdown which has left me so isolated hasn’t tempted me.

cola2019 · 05/07/2020 23:23

Good for you. I wish I could get back in the driving seat. I passed my test at 19 after 250 lessons. I hated every single second of them I was physically sick before and after most of the lessons. After I passed my test I drove for about a year hating every minute and hyper ventilating and literally sweating with fear every time I drove a car. I decided after a year to stop as my whole day was spent worrying about the about the car journey I was going to be doing. I am now 45 with a family and not being able to drive is a huge inconvenience. I get so cross with myself as I really don't know why it stresses me out so much. I feel so sorry for my kids as they have to miss out on so much because of my irrational fear. I am sure you will never look back and your kids will love the freedom!!

Vicliz24 · 05/07/2020 23:26

Definitely go for it . I passed first time at fifty after years of assuming I wouldn't be able to . It's life changing.

MarshmallowManiac · 06/07/2020 00:34

You go girl, only started driving lessons at age 42, it will change and enhance your life.

Duvetdoggy · 06/07/2020 00:44

I've started at 50.

Osirus · 06/07/2020 00:57

I’ve just passed mine at 37. I was terrified for years and kept putting it off, saying I didn’t need to drive. My child was my motivation. One stormy night I was out looking for my cats and I randomly thought “I would hate for {daughter} to be walking home in this when she’s a teenager.” I had this incredible determination from then to learn so I could give her lifts when she needs them. The fear seemed to vanish; it was just odd!

She’s o my just turned four, and she was absolutely thrilled when I passed my test. She tore the certificate from my hands and rushed off to show my mum, who was looking after her on my test day. It was amazing.

It’s become even more important now with lockdown and not wanting to use public transport. I’ve now been able to send my daughter to a much better, out of catchment school, I can drive to work. Oh, and of course, pick my daughter up on wild, windy nights Grin!

DappledThings · 06/07/2020 06:50

Another late one, I passed at 35. I love driving!

startrek90 · 06/07/2020 06:54

Good for you! I am starting my lessons at 30. I hope yours go well!

Sceptre86 · 06/07/2020 07:23

I hope to restart lessons when they start back up as I was told to book my test just before lockdown started. I hope to pass by time I am 34. The driving force for me has been a 40 minute walk largely uphill with a double buggy in the snow getting my dd to preschool. When we finally got there she said she wanted to go home as her hands were freezing despite wearing gloves and mittens. I felt like an awful mum that day.

Sceptre86 · 06/07/2020 07:23

Forgot to say congratulations! It is nice to see positive posts!

walksen · 06/07/2020 07:37

Well done. I put it off for years since I thought I wouldn't be a safe driver. Was around 40 when I learned.

Found the whole process stressful and got very stressed and disheartened at times. I read somewhere that as a guide you might need double your age in hours practice to pass.

In the end it was totally worth it. Life is so much easier when you can drive.

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