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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be p*ssed off that people think I'm odd for being 30 and not driving?

135 replies

OracleInaCoracle · 01/06/2008 19:57

I like public transport. ds loves trains and the bus may take longer, but he sees more of our town than he would in a car.

running a car is bloody expensive.

we should all be reducing our carbon footprint, this is one of my contributions.

we walk, a LOT. ds is very fit and healthy and sees/hears/smells things first hand.

i CHOOSE not to drive, it is not a rite of passage or a necessity, so less of the shock please!

OP posts:
Disenchanted · 01/06/2008 19:58

Im 23 and never considered driving, I don't think I'll ever want to.

TheOldestCat · 01/06/2008 20:00

YANBU.

I'm never shocked at people who don't drive! DH doesn't and gets even more flak, I think, for being male and not possessing a licence (oh, and he's 33).

janeite · 01/06/2008 20:01

I'm 38 and don't drive; dp is 40 and neither does he. We live in a city, so really don't need a car and I think if we did have a car we'd be lazier and fatter tbh! Although I walk less than I used to, I must admit, as I now get a lift to work. Dp walks at least 4 miles every week day.

expatinscotland · 01/06/2008 20:02

i think males who don't drive are seen as odd past a certain age more so than females.

i worked with a few fellas, though, who had never driven.

some had licenses but no car as they lived in central Edinburgh so they had the ability to hire a car if they wanted to get some place that's not as easily accessible or carry passengers/equipment long distances.

sarah293 · 01/06/2008 20:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BouncingTurtle · 01/06/2008 20:03

YANBU
If you can get about using public tranport and can live without a car, why bother with the expense of lessons?

Blondilocks · 01/06/2008 20:03

My mum doesn't drive so I think it's perfectly normal if that's what you choose to do.

LuckyStrike · 01/06/2008 20:06

YANBU. I passed my test at 17 and haven't driven since. Not an issue. Public transport is great, and even getting taxis to the od place works out less than buying a car, paying insurance, road tax, petrol etc.

I love telling people that I don't drive - cos of the looks I get

artichokes · 01/06/2008 20:07

I live in Central London and most of my thirty-something friends don't drive as there is no need here.

I can see there are loads of good reasons for your choice.

The only thing that used to annoy me is when we all went on holiday and everyone wanted to visit out of the way beaches/sites etc etc etc. I always had to drive and it drove me crazy. Now DH and I go away and get off the beaten track easily where as many of my friends are stuck.

GustWriter · 01/06/2008 20:10

YANBU. Its fine. I'm nearly 40 and I can't drive. Its more common than you'd think - especially in London where there is always a bus or a tube nearby.
Who wants to drive in London anyway, pedestrians move faster than London traffic.

Janni · 01/06/2008 20:11

DH is 40 and can't drive, I'm 43 and can drive but haven't since my mid twenties. It's great!

Mamamoor · 01/06/2008 20:12

Good for you! I don't drive and I'm 42! I did actually take my test twice when I was younger and failed then ran out of money and confidence! I am sick to death of my family and others making snide remarks about it. I actually think I've made a wise decision because I know I'm just not cut out for it! Frankly the whole idea of it scares me shitless when I see what a bunch of total madpeople there are on the road.The idea of me in a car on my own with two dds makes me feel quite ill!! Dh (40!) only learnt to drive 2 years ago and we do now have a car but only really cos we moved to the country and the bus journey for him to work takes so long!! He much prefers to walk! Me and the dds walk (or take the bus when it's p'ing down) to school.

muggglewump · 01/06/2008 20:15

Snap Luckystrike.
I passed my test at 17 and only ever drove on my own once a week later.
I've never had the chance since but people do seem to think it's weird that I'm 30 and have never owned a car and the way things are maybe never will

ScienceTeacher · 01/06/2008 20:19

YABU - it is unusual not to have your license by age 30.

Whether you need one or not is a different matter.

wonderstuff · 01/06/2008 20:22

I'm 29 and still dont drive, failed 3 tests.

CoteDAzur · 01/06/2008 20:27

YABU. It is a very common machine of modern times. Whether or not you intend to drive, you should know how to.

TheOldestCat · 01/06/2008 20:31

But why should you NEED to know how to drive if the lack of a driving licence doesn't impinge on your life at all?

And I say this as someone who occasionally gets a little frustrated that DH can't drive (especially as we are driving from London to Ayrshire for a mate's wedding soon.... ). But if not driving doesn't affect your life, then why on earth should people be shocked?

rolledhedgehog · 01/06/2008 20:32

I am 35 and learning now. Have tried a few times before but not until late 20's. I grew-up in London and there was no need. I get lots of comments and shock too. Most of my friends had their lessons paid for by their parents when they hit 17 - not an option in my family and also I had better things to spend my money on at that age.

I think it will be a good thing for me as the public transport where I live but it has been really really hard!

PInkyminkyohnooo · 01/06/2008 20:37

I always walked everywhere growing up- not many buses where I lived- it never bothered me. Living in the city suburbs now I haven't really missed a car. DH uses one but cycles a lot to work etc. I am learning now, age 37,because I'll have three under four come November and I'd like to take them places for the day etc. It surprises me how many people feel so dependent upon their cars, tbh. They are going to have to change their ways at some point. My friend doesn't drive either. We get buses.

suedonim · 01/06/2008 20:41

My db is 51 and has managed so far in life without driving. Mind you, I do wonder how much a part his non-driver status plays in his apparent inability to visit our mother more than once every six years....

TheArmadillo · 01/06/2008 20:41

Dp is 25 and has never learnt to drive.

It's expensive and he'd rarely have a chance to drive anyway.
So not really any point.

He's not particularly interested in it either. ONe of those 'maybe in the future' things.

CoteDAzur · 01/06/2008 20:46

You should know how to drive because one day your might really really need to drive.

You don't need an overactive imagination to think of several scenarios where you would have to get somewhere very quickly and would just take the keys of a car and go. Or not, because you don't know how.

HuwEdwards · 01/06/2008 20:48

male or female, I think it's strange not to learn to drive.

falcon · 01/06/2008 20:51

I don't see what's so strange about having no desire not to drive.

There are so many nutters out on the roads, I wouldn't feel at all confident about driving.

I admit working in a car bodyshop and seeing and hearing the stories and having numerous damaged vehicles come in every day does also put me off.

I have dyspraxia which is another factor, I have taken lessons but it's just too much for me.

PInkyminkyohnooo · 01/06/2008 20:53

I can drive- but haven't had a test yet, but I've driven in farmers fields before. The hospital is across the road from me anmd there are buses every ten minutes to most places, incl. the train station. If DH keeled over at the wheel I could take control- if that's the sort of thing you mean- or were you thinking more of being under threat of imminent invasion or something? I could get a taxi pretty sharpish.

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