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Original poster

Any other mums that don't drive?

46 replies

mumisfun · 03/09/2004 21:41

Am I alone? Have failed my test 4 times - last test I took when pregnant with ds, now I'm pregnant with no.2 (5 months) and still no further. I have given up on buses - but walk lots, and get the train up to London for days out and to meet my dh for lunch - but still wonder am I the only mum left today stuggling buggies up and down steps? How will I cope with 2 babes under two?!!! Ahhhh! Dh says I need to do an intensive course but we just don't have the cash at present....oh dear. Looks like I really am going to be getting myself a rein and saddle as I trot off with kids on my back!! And double buggies? Any suggestions...... I 'm scared.

OP posts:
MadameButterfly · 03/09/2004 21:47

I don't drive either. I live about 1.5miles from the town centre and walk when it is good weather. I don't mind having to get on the train either. DD actualy enjoys our trips on bus and train. She especially like it when we fly up to Scotland to see my parents.

I think that I need an intensive course too, but like you cannot afford it right now.

Good luck managing with two.

coppertop · 03/09/2004 21:49

I can't drive either. I was almost ready for my driving test when I became pregnant with ds1. I didn't fancy doing emergency stops everytime I had a bout of morning sickness so put lessons on hold - and never went back. Dh doesn't drive either so we use public transport or walk.

I found that using a baby sling was really useful during the first few months. It was much easier than struggling with a double pushchair.

MUMINAMILLION · 03/09/2004 21:56

I can drive, but had to give up my licence when my oldest two were 18mths and 4wks because of medical problems. I tried a double buggy and found it was absolutely horrendous then got a silvercross tandem. What a difference - you can actually get through doors! But, they are very heavy when the little darlings become not so little, so I found then that it was better to have the oldest at the back, to help with levering purposes! The worst bit is trying to get to a seat on the bus with a baby under each arm and 50 bags, and the bus takes off before you have sat down!! My biggest of all pet hates! However, there are some kind people out there who will help.

MUMINAMILLION · 03/09/2004 21:58

Oh, and these days ofcourse they have made those fabulous wheely-skateboard-like-contraptions that fix to the pram and that the older child can stand on and be hurled around on. Wish someone would make one of those for us sometimes.

roisin · 03/09/2004 22:00

I can't drive either ... failed 3 times a long long time ago, and since then have managed to get by fine without it. I can't conceive of us running two cars for various reasons, so I don't really miss it. I walk loads, and so do the kids - keeps us fit. Every now and then there are times when it would be easier if I had a licence ... but tbh I think I would only get in the car about once a fortnight ... and then I'd be a DREADFUL driver, and I don't want to be a dreadful driver. I'd rather be a good driver, or not be a driver at all.

ebbie22 · 03/09/2004 22:01

I too have failed my test 4 times but have repassed my theory and when I can afford it will start having lessons again....Are you insured to drive ur dh car?

Blu · 03/09/2004 22:06

I do, but DP doesn't, and I'm delighted! Not only because DP is so oblivious that I would fear for our lives before he had turned the ignition key, but because I think it is essential for DS to grwo up not taking cars and driving for granted. It's madness to drive in London, most of the time, and I'm happy for DS to get the habit of using public transport - he'll be well equipped when the oil runs out in 50 years time!

edam · 03/09/2004 22:06

I don't drive, never have (well, I did get sexually harassed by a driving instructor once, kind of put me off lessons). Lived in central London for years so not an issue. Now we've moved out of town but chose a house within walking distance of the local shops, train station and ds's nursery. Do the shopping on the way home from nursery and trail mountains of carrier bags from the buggy straps. In London I used buses all the time as most routes now have disabled-access buses that can take unfolded buggies. Here it's a bit more pot-luck and I'm not really confident about folding the buggy while holding ds on a moving vehicle...

Original poster
mumisfun · 03/09/2004 22:14

Thanks for the moral support - feel much better!! Yes I too struggle with shopping bags hanging from every nook and crannie - Am insured on dh's car, but we rarely go out for lessons due to arguments .............. I've stormed off a few times for dramatic effect

OP posts:
MUMINAMILLION · 03/09/2004 22:17

Ooooh edam - was he old, fat, baldheaded with a pervy moustache? Same one as mine then. I did pass (for all the good it did me) but got back at him by not writing to his company to tell them Id passed so he didnt get his bonus. Are they all creepy??

edam · 03/09/2004 22:23

No, mine was stringy, middle-aged with emphysema, would you believe... actually offered me free lessons if I took him up to my flat 'because your boyfriend's out, isn't he?'. Eeurrrgghhh. Should have reported him but just thought he would deny it. Couple of years later mentioned this to a colleague and turned out her daughter had had a similar experience with the same instructor. Guess if you are an old perv, a job that allows you to meet lots of teenagers/early 20s is quite a draw..

edam · 03/09/2004 22:24

.. but what I have learned from it is that if I'm ever harassed again, I will complain, immediately.

blossomhill · 03/09/2004 22:27

I took the easy option and took my test in an automatic. I was desperate and pregnant with my 2nd child. Could I get the hang of reverse park??? Switched to an automatic and passed when I was 5 months pregnant. It has been a godsend!

lou33 · 03/09/2004 22:47

I don't drive as I am epileptic, but I am hoping to start having lessons next year, if i stay fit free. I have 4 kids, and use dh as my driver.

MummyToSteven · 03/09/2004 22:56

I don't drive either. Finally got round to starting lessions, then found out I was pg with DS, and thought it would not be the best idea to continue whilst pg with emergency stops etc and since having ds (nearly 6 months) I have lost the inclination. Fortunately I live in central Liverpool, so shopping/doctors etc is very easily walkable. Very random selection of bus routes regularly have buggy friendly buses - trains are much easier!

MUMINAMILLION · 03/09/2004 22:59

lou33, same as me. Mine is really mild, but still had to lose my licence sob sob. Hope to have it back in March tho. Understand fully, it is a nightmare trying to bus it with 4 kids, so all the best for the test!

lou33 · 04/09/2004 12:36

I havent had any lessons yet. I have had it on and off since i was six months old. Four kids and a bus - nightmare. Four kids, one in a wheelchair, and a bus, not even going to try!

treacletart · 04/09/2004 14:53

I past my test 12 years ago, but always avoided driving whenever I could - I now know that I have an eye problem that stops me from guaging distance properly so I have a proper excuse not to. I've also justified not running a car to myself for years for financial and eco reasons. DH has never taken a test so we're the only family I know that never drive. We live within walkin distance of most things and public transport here is fab, but its a headache when it comes to arranging holidays or IKEA trips... incidentally can anyone recommend a good 2nd stage carseat for taxi rides that doesnt need to be permanently fixed??

hewlettsdaughter · 04/09/2004 16:58

Don't drive, don't have a car. DH passed his test last year but we don't have a day-to-day need for a car and can't really afford one anyway (know what you mean about holidays, ikea trips etc, though, treacletart!)

cazzybabs · 04/09/2004 17:34

I can drive but we don't have a car - both for enviromental reasons and money. I am quite happy being forced to cycle or walk - just wish trains were cheaper!

spots · 04/09/2004 18:21

I don't drive. I wish there was an injection that could put 'DRIVING' into your arm, it would solve a lot of problems... Just never seem to have the time and money simultaneously. I had driving lessons for a while and enjoyed them but a big job took me away for a while and I never got back into the swing of it.

Love trains and buses tho' - I get a feeling of incredible freedom (perversely) from knowing a city's public transport system.

ks · 04/09/2004 18:32

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BooMama · 04/09/2004 18:32

Passed my (third) test in April,aged 29. Had been learning on and off for 2½ years (around pregnancy with dd). Live in a small market town and often felt frustrated and rather trapped by lack of driving skills, especially since our car was parked outside the house all day long as dh walks to work. Very annoying having to wait for him to be on a day off if I wanted to go to garden centre or similar.
Thought my life would change when I passed but it turns out I am not a very confident driver and avoid it whenever possible! Hate parking and will only drive anywhere if I know there is an easy park at the end!
First day of the holidays, determined not to spend it mooching around the house I drove children to aforementioned garden centre but whilst parking put foot on accelerator instead of brake and ended up in large bush...
How did I ever pass!??
Hope confidence will come eventually but it seems a real waste of money on lessons...

BooMama · 04/09/2004 18:35

Forgot to mention that my mum never learnt to drive, nor have my brother and sister. Mum feels she didn't set us a very good exacmple but they all live in the middle of Cambridge and are so better off not having to worry about it!

Batters · 05/09/2004 13:41

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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