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Original poster

Has anyone learnt to drive in their 30's

22 replies

Tanktop · 31/05/2007 11:33

Ive never been behind the wheel of a car in my entire life (always been lucky enough to be driven) but have decide that i really need to learn to drive as now living in very small village in Italy. Only problem is I am now the ripe old age of 36. Is it true the older you are the harder it is to learn? out of interest have any of you guys passed your test later on in life and how easy/difficult did you find it? Bad and good experiences welcome. The real question is does italy need another crap driver on their already crazy roads.

OP posts:

motherinferior · 31/05/2007 11:45

I passed (admittedly on fifth go, but they weren't all consecutive), two weeks after my 40th birthday. At 37 weeks pregnant.

Lasvegas · 31/05/2007 11:47

I passed my test age 24 but didn't really drive until aged 37. It has been hard but this may not be age rather the fact that I am driving with small kid in the back. The thing I cannot do is park. I still cannot drive to places I don't know only school, station and supermarket. But having said that it is great having the freedom. But I only made myself do it for DD who I couldn't make walk for 30 minutes in rain to and dfrom school. So I did have motivation.

luczluutoo · 31/05/2007 11:47

I'M learning at the mo .I'm 31.I did that stupid thing of learning at 17 then giving up.Had several episodes of re-learning and then giving up before my test was due as my nerves kicked in each time.Wish I had done it yrs ago TBI.I drive the family car as often as I can and have 1-2 hrs a week in paid lessons-its expensive!! I think I'm much more aware of hazard perception especially as I know I will have two kids in the back bickering when I pass-how much concentration is needed with that!! I'm just shit at reversing!!

Cadders · 31/05/2007 11:49

I started learning last year at the age of 32. I don't mind telling you that I find it hard - but then I'm not a fast learner and I was an incredibly nervous passenger for many years too. Don't know when/ if ever I will get to take my test.

ShrinkingViolet · 31/05/2007 11:51

I passed my test (first time [smug]) a few months before my 30th birthday. i'd had 50 hours of lessons, but not very much practice other than that. My driving instructor reckoned it was probably easier teaching me as I had general road/common sense unlike the majority of his 17 year old pupils.

DrNortherner · 31/05/2007 11:52

I passed my tast last December at teh age of 30 on my 5th attempt (like MI they were not consecutive tests)

I used to hate driving, was shit and had no confidence. Was so close to giving up each time I failed. So pleased to say I didn't, it has changed my life and I love it.

Good luck.

Malaleche · 31/05/2007 11:52

i learnt at 18, failed the test twice, crashed my mums car in william lows carpark and went to south america, 21 yrs later i still dont have a license but am considering it - thing is i live in Spain where the driving is scary....

FioFio · 31/05/2007 11:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

wotsits · 31/05/2007 11:54

I got my driving licence at 35. Started taking lessons at 34 and passed first time (but I did take a lot of lessons - changed instructors a few times). I don't know if it's harder the older you get, but my problem was a mental block - I was terrified of causing an accident. For me, it was important that I felt comfortable with the driving instructor, and that he understood my fears. Found that with the third one.

luczluutoo · 31/05/2007 11:55

My driving instructor says the same thing SV..simply not interesting in sticking my foot down at every national speed sign like most 17 yr olds

Original poster

Tanktop · 31/05/2007 12:02

Thanks for all your replies. Think I will go ahead and book a few lessons and see how I feel afterwards. I just really wish I had learnt when I was much young and more confident.

OP posts:

ShrinkingViolet · 31/05/2007 14:09

First bit of driving style instruction my chap gave me was "stop driving like a granny"

PinkMartini · 31/05/2007 14:17

Lasvegas are you still about?
I have that prob, I learned to drive ten years ago and don't have any confidence. But DH drives me everywhere and I live in London so have public transport so I don't have the motivation.
I dont' know what to do about it.

PinkMartini · 31/05/2007 14:18

Apologies for hijack
Tanktop all the very best. To be honest, learning isn't the problem, I don't think - it's getting confidence to get out there once you've passed. GOOD LUCK

MuffinMclay · 31/05/2007 14:29

I didn't pass my test until I was 30. I had a few lessons in my '20s, but was living in central London then and a car was pointless, so I had no real incentive to learn.

I did a crash course in Wales, and failed (nerves got the better of me), then had some more lessons over a few months and passed. I think it is really important to get an instructor that you feel comfortable with - helps with the nerves.

Now I can't imagine not being able to drive.

magnolia1 · 31/05/2007 14:42

My problem is time and expense I failed one test at 18 and then never tried again now I'm 32 with 5 kids and a car sitting out he front that I can't drive

PinkMartini · 31/05/2007 14:42

Muffin was the crash course (arf!) very expensive? I wonder whether i need to go and spend a weekend just doing it.

suedonim · 31/05/2007 15:23

My sister had a few lessons in her 20's but didn't have a car for 20yrs or more. She then took and passed her test at the age of 48, I was so proud of her.

MuffinMclay · 31/05/2007 15:58

pinkmartini - I can't remember exactly how much. I think it was £300ish, but that was 5 or 6 years ago and in Wales (think prices might be a bit lower there than in some parts of the country). My MIL paid for it because she was so horrified that I couldn't drive. It wasn't a residential course. I stayed with MIL and just booked a local recommended instructor for a week. I did it there because the roads are so much quieter and I thought it would be easier than in London (and it was) .

I'm not sure whether I'd recommend a crash course or not. I found that if something went wrong early in the day I'd get more and more flustered, and it would all get too much for me. I think there's something to be said for building up your confidence slowly over many weeks instead.

It is quite good to get a first test that you don't think you can pass over with, and then the second one doesn't seem so bad.

I do feel that if I can pass then anyone can. I love driving now (still hate parking though).

archiesmummy · 31/05/2007 21:37

I started taking lessons when just pregnant with DS at 33 and passed 6 months later (on 2nd try ). Had never driven a car before, but had quite a lot of experience from MC, I don't think it will be difficult for you.

Think you have more understanding of the dangers when a bit older

kid · 31/05/2007 21:43

It is much harder to pass the test now, so much more to the test than when I passed 13 years ago.
I don't think its harder to learn just because you are older. You are more patient (comes naturally after having kids!) which will make it possible to pass at any age.

Lasvegas · 01/06/2007 12:59

pinkmartini - I lived in zone 2 so pleanty of public transport, then 6 months ago moved to the burbs. The Nanny left so no one to drive DD to school except me. My advice is to get an automatic they are simple to drive also get a small car. It has been a struggle, to start with I felt sick with nerves every morning. But things come together with practice. Looking back I wish I had got a sitter and made DH sit next to me and drive around together for a couple of hours to get a feel for car etc.

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