To learn to drive at 39!?!

[Lolly34h]

Booked a driving lesson for meant week I've recently turned 39 I have 2 jobs and finally have the money to learn to drive am I too old?

Go for it!! I was pretty young when I learnt but I have relatives who didn't learn to drive until late 30's or 40's. Never too late!

I know with petrol prices soaring it won't be cheap but I've waited a really long time to even get to lesson stage so I'm excited even if I hold my license and don't have a car for while at least I have a license

I learnt at 34 and it's changed my life! Go for it OP!!

I'm nearly 38 and learning. Go for it!

Not too old at all. Go for it.

Go for it OP. I found learning to drive a slog (passed in my late 20s) but it was so rewarding and freeing when I finally got there.

I was 31 and it changed my life. Go for it

im 41 and ive done 5 lessons so far

i had zero experience before and no interest as i had no need but now i do.
wanted to last year actually but no instructors were available until feb

according to my instructor im doing great and a few lessons ahead
(how ever she works that)

i need it to change our lives as im a single carer/mother/educator to a disabled child that won't/cant do public transport so a car will completely broaden our horizons and improve our life no end.

we also home educate and this will help that amazingly

we used a car 24/7 and did day trips, educational trips and many many caravan holidays before covid and had an amazing lifestyle but oct 20 their dad left us for my best friend over night and as our driver(also other carer) our life stopped over night.
due to lockdowns, covid and no availability i couldn't start till feb 22

im picking it up great, as i has zero experience i didnt expect to "get it" as quickly as i have as no matter who i was in the car(and im talking all my life) with i never noticed their driving and really was a beginner

my neighbour is in her early 60s and her husband dis last year she only just passed so its never to late, shes out and about all day every day

@Lolly34h

I know with petrol prices soaring it won't be cheap but I've waited a really long time to even get to lesson stage so I'm excited even if I hold my license and don't have a car for while at least I have a license

I agree with this to some degree but also be wary of this mindset. I started learning in late teens and got my licence when I was 19 or 20 - didn't need a car so didn't get one until I was about 24 so ended up not driving for 4 years. I had been out of it for so long that I felt like I needed refresher lessons to build my confidence so ended up spending more money. Also when you pass your test, the real experience of driving on your own and confidence will come within the first year or so.

I would say just get a cheap car and use it for local trips like food shopping etc as you'd still be having a bit of practice but not spending huge amounts

There is no such thing as a cheap car anymore as the prices for a second hand car have increased massively. I am 48 and got my licence in 2007, due to using public transport I have never driven since. Took some refresher lessons last year and the year before, and am now looking to buy a car with all the safety features I can afford. I would rather pay more for a car to feel safe while I am technically learning to drive in the car again, but by myself.

[quote Lolly34h]@Yukkatree12 let me know how the theory is. The earliest I can book here is July![/quote]
Keep checking if you feel you can do it sooner. I managed to get a slot this week

I’m 52 and learning, I’d always happily used public transport until the pandemic but I’ve been reluctant to use it since so decided that I needed to drive.

I’ve been learning since last September, I think things are finally starting to click. Lessons haven’t been as regular as I’d like, my instructor is always fully booked and often has someone taking their test during my usual lesson time and he can’t ever fit me in anywhere else, and double lessons or two per week aren’t possible either.

I’ve been lucky in that I’m getting my own car next month. My husband’s PCP ends then and instead of returning the car we’re going to buy it for me. Looking at how much used cars are selling for now it’s an absolute bargain so we’d be mad not to, it’s almost 3 years old and the mileage is very low thanks to the pandemic and him working from home for much of it.
I’ve not been able to practice in it yet as the agreement doesn’t allow learners but I think I’ll really benefit from extra practice once we’ve bought it.

I'm 52 and learning to drive. Never needed to in the past but now I do. Passed my theory in October. Go for it

I was a week off 33 when I passed mine. Never looked back .go for it .you are nowhere near too old! If you pass in say 6 months to a year , you have years ahead .

Go for it! Life for me would be so restrictive if I couldn't drive.

Absolutely not too old. It’s a very useful skill. And it’ll change your life not your have you rely on buses and their erratic timetables to get about.

I live in the US where driving is more more a part of life. The nearest bus stop to my house is over 20 miles away so if I couldn’t drive I’d be stuck. But it always amazes me how many women in the UK can’t drive.

My mum was 63 when she passed her test, after my dad died. She then regularly drove (very competently) 200 mile trips to see relatives, and it was very good for her. She stopped just after she turned 80, she didn't want her capabilities to diminish and become a danger to others. It's never too late!

Well first lesson done it's gonna be a slog but I'm determined

Keep going!

@Lolly34h Thought I would update you. I passed my theory test this afternoon, first time! I can not recommend the 4 in 1 app enough, it helped me.

I started lessons a year and a half ago. Had many stops and starts due to going in and out of lockdown but on Wednesday I passed my driving test on my very first attempt. I'm 50. Go for it!

I passed at 40 - it was absolutely fine. And as a bonus, insurance is not too bad for an older new driver - when DH rang to get me added to our car insurance the day after my test, the premium actually went down!

Go for it!

My mother was over 40 when she finally learned, and only finally gave up her car at about 80, after a minor accident had made her very nervous.

And do remember, what may seem so hard at first (I mean the mechanical process) will eventually be so second nature, one day you’ll realise that you’ve driven from A to B without even thinking about changing gears, etc.

I did a test at 17 and never went back to it until I was 33 and passed then. I don't think I'll ever take to driving as I my friends who drove from their teens and twenties, but I'm safe and capable. It was well worth doing.

My mum passed her test at 47, she loved driving and always said that it was the best thing she ever did.

Unfortunately, she doesn't drive now - she's in a nursing home but was heartbroken when she had to stop.