To have a car when I only do very minimal driving

[Princedelight]

I have a car on finance. High interest(bad credit rating). 2 years left on finance. Its affordable to me.

However, I barely drive. Back story. Late learner. Very anxious re:driving.

Bought car straight after passing, on a bit of a whim.
Plan was to drive lots. Plan never happened. My anxiety about driving has improved loads ,but I'm still a shit ,inexperienced driver! It's never really taken off.

I do drive daily but its just school run, shops etc. Appointments. Apart from big supermarket shop, nothing I couldn't do on foot/public transport.

Up to now, I suppose I like my little car and I like the fact that I have my independence if I need it,or do actually have to drive(rare).
DP has his own car and drives a lot and does all the big trips/holidays and days out.

I've just sat here thinking why am I wasting my money- car finance, petrol, insurance etc for literally 100 miles a month. Its mad isn't it? I'm thinking sensible thing is to get rid when finance is up.
I could get bloody taxis for less. Or is it wise to keep driving and have my own car as back up.

@ArialAnna
Absolutely no chance of this happening.
Hes generally very supportive of my driving (only due to the odd time it helps him ferry one of Dc) but he wouldn't get rid of car and swap.

Actually before the car he has now, he did have an auto(just after I passed) and I asked to go on insurance to practice etc. He said it was too expensive and was very vague and unhelpful. He denies this now and says he was happy for me to go on insurance and all I needed to do was ring up sort it (not true).
So it put me off.
Then not long after the car packed up and he got the 7 seater manual and i got my car.

A large contingent of mumsnet is obsessed by women being able to drive and car ownership. It's not essential as long as you accept that you may well have to spend money on taxis sometimes which will still be cheaper than car ownership.

However that said, I'd keep the car for now unless it's causing financial hardship. It's very handy when DCs are young for ferrying around. We have two cars and hardly use them now that DH wfh all the time and I only go in ( by bus) one or two days a week. But I'm not overly fond of driving and I know if we went down to one, I'd get out of the way of it, plus my DPs are elderly and live an hour away so it's good to know we both have cars should any emergencies arise.

Thank you.
I live in a very busy area.
Unfamiliar places are very, very daunting.
It's always busy. Even my fucking Street is busy. So many aggressive drivers. Its so intimidating.

Even on my short journey, there seem to be a bloody issue every day
I sick of drivers right up behind me when I'm doing the speed limit or above!!
DP is very experienced so not fazed.
Bu me it just makes me feel even more unsure.

@rookiemere
This is very true.
I put off driving for so long as I was so unsure, but then I guess I thought how great it would be to 'do stuff'.
Reality is I actually do fuck all.
My car has been somewhat useful in the time I've had it.
I can afford it but I'm 100% not getting out of it what I'd hoped and it's not value for money at all. If I add up useage V cost.

When your contract runs out, why not replace it with a cheap, but safe runaround and put some of the money you save towards refresher lessons?

I have thought about refresher lessons. Maybe then I'd start enjoying it. Hard to enjoy something you dread or worry about.
I suppose I just think that there's so much that I don't know!!!!!

I just think if you gave up your car, you'd never go back to driving and that would make your anxiety even worse if, in an emergency, you had no choice.

I was a really nervous learner and I hated driving when I first got my license, but I live rurally so had no choice but to stick with it. I wouldn't say I love driving but I feel pretty confident driving daily (it's part of my job) and my life would be very restricted if I'd give up my car.

@thelobsterquadrille
I absolutely agree. If I give up the car it will be it. Full stop. No point to give up to buy another in the future, or hope DP will one day get a smaller auto.
But it will help my anxiety as no car will equal not being able to drive. So no pressure. No overthinking.

I did the High Performance course after the Advanced. Wasn't something I had thought about, but that was motorway driving. I don't enjoy driving,we live on the outskirts of a village,2 roads from a one way system. I did get a bus a few times,had to get off because of motion sickness. My car is going this week (15 years old diesel estate) I've had her 10 years,am gifting her to my oldest DS. We cannot afford to run 2 cars. I have a lot of friends my age 70ish,who never learned to drive. Oldest DD living and working in London,lot of people 20s don't bother to learn.

I think they call it car sharing but is like rental. You book on an app for as little as two hours. Cars have a home parking spot you collect from /return them to. Quite handy for parking as there were reserved spots for car club cars in the town centre. There’s a fuel card inside and they are cleaned weekly by the company. I used to live a short walk away so could easily collect a car. I found it brilliant tbh much cheaper than car ownership you just need to be organised.

After all the work you've put in to pass your theory, do lessons and pass your test, it would be such a shame to give it all up now.

There are places you can get lessons (like as a week course or as normal) for nervous drivers - it may be worth investing so that long-term, driving doesn't cause you so much anxiety.

You may not need a car much now but you never know what the future holds and I think you'll regret giving up your independence.

I half wished that I hadn't bothered learning. Ther was no pressure then as I couldn't drive and had no car.
Now I've got one I have no choice to sometimes drive and if, for instance, DP isn't around and one of the Dc want to go somewhere then I have no excuse not to drive.
I sometimes wish the option just wasn't there.

Get rid of your car , you can do so much using alternative modes of transport

Give up the car if you want but don’t give up driving. Get the family car changed to an automatic. Don’t listen to any BS - make it a pre requisite. Anything could happen to your DH in the future and you are both limiting your options if you can’t drive. I’m married to a non driver, trust me it’s very limiting. All cars these days are drive-able , you just just support and confidence.

Maybe. Everything seems like such an effort! Extra lessons for extra money to do something I don't like ha ha.
Or maybe I would like it if I was more confident and a better driver.

I hate driving and if I can get a bus somewhere instead I often will.

I've had my car 12 years and only done 30,000kms but the convenience of having it especially for shopping or going to visit friends / family is worth it.

I bought secondhand and I'll probably never buy a new car since I drive so little.

This really isn't an option. He likes his car. Bought it outright. Would think I was mental to get of mine,then get him to change his to suit me!!

I get what you are saying, but he would just say if I didn't have a car that he would happily drive!!
To him no point in sharing, only benefit me driving is me being able ' to help 'when DC's activities clash.

Your situation sounds like mine. And I have similar mileage.

A car is freedom. If you don't have a car you need to have the mobility to tackle public transport or money to hire private transport right at that moment. A car is potential. You could get in and drive out to see the network shower (I have done this). Or rush to the side of a loved one without delay (also done this). If you want it, keep it. Don't devalue the freedoms it brings to yourself. If you read this and thing "that means nothing to me" then sure, sell it. Personally I like to buy one car and have it for its lifetime.

@ehb102
I agree. It does give you freedom if you enjoy it or don't have anxiety around it.
In my case, there's not really much freedom as I talk myself out of every journey unless a necessary one.

Then do what makes most economic sense. Sell car. Tackle anxiety. Then get new car.

These poor cars! They aren’t designed not to be driven!

That won't be an option. It's either wait till finance is paid in 2 years and keep. Or sell it due to limited use. Then I will just knock driving on the head. No point in the hassle of another car. Its taken me forever to get used to this one.

You are not useless OP!
You are a good enough driver. You passed your test.
Have faith and stick at it.
I was also nervous about unfamiliar journeys but a good sat nav makes this a lot easier.
Honestly the more you drive the more confident you will become but it can be a slow process.
I hated driving when I first passed my test was a nervous wreck but now 25 years later wouldnt be without it.
But it did take several years to build my confidence up .
Get an automatic if its easier.
I completely get why its tempting but please dont give up on a skill you have worked so hard achieve .

I don't think you should get rid of your car. If it was financially viable I'd suggest selling the car on finance and by