Well this is something I can talk about, I got my license later in life (eg. late 30s). For me, it was about pragmatism. In high school, it was quite common for the guys from the neighborhood to offer me a ride and at that time I never had any real desire to get my license. Where I lived there was no real need to drive anywhere. I lived in what is called a bedroom community, meaning that there were almost no places of entertainment or leisure. And living on the east coast, if you want to go to any of the major cities, it's much easier to take the train rather than drive.
After HS, I moved to the city and having a car in the city was just down right expensive. In 1998, it was on average about $400/month for car insurance and it didn't matter if you lived in the rich or poor parts. For most people at that time, that was almost a week's pay. And then you had to pay a monthly parking rental fee, then there was car maintenance and operating expenses. . . after all was said in done, to have and use a car in the city, it wasn't unheard of people spending at least $1000/month.
After 3 years, I moved out of the city and commuted to school and work. For the following decade or so I lived a mile from a train station. And I could easily get to Philly, NYC, Washington DC, Trenton, et al. Again it was all about pragmatism. And as an aside, people complain saying a mile is long, no it's not.
Ultimately, I did get my license due to the fact that many jobs and consultations were moving further and further away from where I lived. Looking back, I didn't miss out on anything. I had this conversation with someone a few months back, they asked me how I got food to my house. I explained that w/ the Internet, I can log onto my local food store, pick out the food I want, pay for it, and schedule a date and time for delivery. And all in all, including putting the food away and purchasing it via the Internet, I will perhaps at most spend 30 minutes doing such. Now I explained that, ". . . you will spend 30 minutes just getting to the super market, so that's now 1 hour you've spent, you spent another hour just walking around picking everything out, you've now had to wait in line for possibly up to 20-30 minutes, you also have to deal with asshole customers pushing their carts into you, and all the nonsense that goes into dealing w/ people. After all is said and done, you spent almost 3 hours of your time and quite possibly have psychological damage done to you. Yet I've only spent at most 30 minutes."10 Reply
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To me it's a skill that could save your life one day. Imagine someone is on verge to die and only way for them to survive is that you drive them to a hospital. No cell coverage no one near. Learn it.
I can drive a car, bike, helicopter and now doing people for private plane licence. I consider it a skill that could be usefull one day and could save my or someones life.
Best11 Reply
+1 yI believe many people would find this odd but I have a friend who is in his fifties doesn't have a license and has only driven once. So in certain circumstances I would say it could look on but they have their reasons. This man I speak of is the sweetest man I've ever met it's really kind but he is a little dopey in a cute way. He's forgetful doesn't always catch on to things. He hesitates and debates things before doing them. Based on his characteristics you can see he has a touch of anxiety. And then to make matters worse the one time he did drive he got into a major car accident in that ruined him he's never been able to drive without getting nervous.
Another situation I can think of is my brother who's he's not that I would he's in his twenties he refuses to drive he has such anxiety and is afraid to get behind a wheel now let me tell you I can understand because of you drove my mom being nervous wreck too my mom was a nightmare when driving with her every time we would get on the highway and she had merge she would start screaming that we were going to die. Thank Goodness she doesn't do this any more well not I'm front of me but she is the worst driver I've ever seen every time I have her follow me I got a grind my teeth because it's like the worst and driving Miss Daisy. Truck drivers jump out of her way when she starts getting on the highway cuz she just goes too slow she's Dense so if the person you're talking about was ever exposed to bad driver like my brother and I was I can see why they wouldn't want to drive themselves.
Trust me I almost refuse to get behind the wheel from how traumatized I was driving around with my mother I got over it though and actually got a CDL license which was quite the accomplishment.23 Reply- +1 y
Some people hide things that trouble them
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thanks for the MHO 😊
+1 yI'm 30 I live in the city. I don't drive. Simply because I can't afford it, whilst paying my rent and bills living on my own.
There's good public transport links here. If I want an alternative method of transport I cycle.
Cars are expensive, you can't park without paying.
Fuel is getting even more expensive.
Then we talk about climate issues.
Oh boy. In all honesty its all becoming too much.
All these demands. If my partner drives that's amazing. And what's more amazing is that perhaps if we get into a relationship they might kindly want to help me on my journey to learn but its really not that big a deal.
But I'm a woman so maybe people don't think it's that major, my ex and I used to take cabs I never used to mind as it meant we could both enjoy ourselves when out.10 Reply
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73Opinion
871 opinions shared on Other topic. I honestly wonder why people who live in a place like Manhattan ever learn to drive since most of them don't have cars and don't need cars.
I've met people who never learned how to drive but did learn to fly airplanes which is much more complicated. There's weird combinations out there.37 Reply- +1 y
@karaspara. Still, what if you need to rent a car?
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- +1 y
@KrakenAttackin Nice. I want to get into flying one day.. never know when I might need to "borrow" a plane. Ha ha ha.
+1 yI know a 41-year-old woman who, until age 39, didn't have a license and couldn't drive. In fact, when I met her when she was 39 (and I was 22) nshe had just gotten her beginner's.
I do find that somewhat odd but at the same time, it's not like it's a huge deal. She obviously had her reasons and got along fine without and there's a part of me that kinda wishes she didn't have her license still so I could be the awesome young guy who can drive her around.
I've had my license since I was 16, it was my birthday gift (paid for my G2 and full G afterwards myself) and bought my first car after 3 years of saving at 17. Bought my first manual at 19 and got my motorcycle license at 20 (though I only recently got my full one).10 ReplyI was not allowed to drive for many years because of the meds I was on. We tried that and I clocked out at a DO NOT ENTER area and that's when I did the responsible for thing and stepped back from driving. I'm not going to be responsible for taking a life out of stubborn pride. Thankfully I am off most or these meds now and this means that I am able to reapply and did apply to get my permit again. And with my babe @Funnygirl1500 supporting me I'm gonna use that to apply myself to more job prospects and career pursuits.
10 Reply647 opinions shared on Other topic. Well I don't drive but that's because I'm not allowed due to a medical condition and never been allowed a license. But someone who is perfectly capable of driving who just never did is a bit odd. I do know a couple of women who just chose never to drive, I think it was a nerves thing.
21 ReplyI know some people, both men and women that have just never bothered and don't have reason to drive (they feel). I'm not sure what "can't" means exactly but it is expensive to drive and no it's not that uncommon, at least not where I am. Yes most people do want that freedom, but some don't and don't care about it.
11 ReplyIt depends on your location. Like someone else said large cities you can get around normally and never drive.
Here you never be able get anywhere on time in some areas if you had to wait on a cab. There is only one bus circuit but most people don't live close enough to use it.31 Reply
+1 yKinda odd but whatever. I have a relative in California who is in his 50s and doesn't drive. I think he lost his license cuz of drunk driving a long time ago and did society a favor by not attempting to get back behind the wheel. He takes the bus or walks.
30 ReplyMy grandma never drove a day in her life she lives in the city tho and my grandpa drives her or she takes the bus... and my neighbor he witness someone get ran over when he was young back in the 70s he takes a taxi ever day he scared too drive some people got traumatize or don't want too drive I don't think it's odd there always a reason... I guess:)!
11 Reply- 3.8K opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yIf there's absolutely no necessity for driving, it's okay. My mother-in-law claims she's never even wanted to learn. Unfortunately, it kinda makes her a bit helpless and at the mercy of others. She does feel a bit embarrassed that she doesn't know how to drive.
20 Reply
+1 yYes and no.
I know people in London, lived there their entire lives and never needed to drive.
one guy is a train driver and gets free travel around the UK and I think Europe.
He can’t park outside his house, gets free travel, as he said why would he bother learning to drive.20 Reply- 7.3K opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yI don’t drive cause I have poor eye site in dimly lit conditions and I also have delayed visual processing and impaired hand eye coordination and reaction time.
21 Reply
+1 yIn countries where that's normal, I think it's quite unusual. My immediate questions that pop up have to question how he got to school and work. Here in Japan, I don't think it's that unusual but only because public transportation makes driving more of an option and luxury rather than a requirement to commute to work and/or school. I learned how to drive mainly as a result of my experience living in the US.
20 Reply773 opinions shared on Other topic. No. I have a license but I never actually owned a car while having it. I would have been perfectly fine not knowing how to drive. I never actually needed the knowledge. I just got it so employers wouldn't reject me because I was missing it. So it's been an expensive Id card.
10 ReplyOdd and odd. Has he had a need of it? Does that nees outweigh associated costs?
If I would only use a car a few times a year, or even month, it might be more rational to employ transportation services. Taxis and what not. It would be unusual yes, but depending on how he lives it might not be a major issue. Besides this is a minor issue. Guy could fix it in a matter of weeks.10 ReplySome places like New York are too crowded to drive and it can be faster to take public transport like trains.
I don't know what his deal is, but if he bikes good for him.
Still, learning to drive is a very important skill, especially when it comes to reading signals and understanding geographical locations.10 Reply- 499 opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yNot odd , in many cases , it is simply not necessary , learning to drive & getting that pink card is expensive. As is owning /running an asset that constantly depreciates. London is a well known case in point , try parking anywhere in a core UK city , I live in one , hence I don't own a car. Can't park at work anyway. Also , some people are barred medically from driving.
10 Reply
Anonymous(45 Plus)+1 yIts some what uncommon but some people dont need to, I drove for a famous chef who never got a licence, he didn't need a car to work and his trade often involved drink so if you can get away with not driving without it negatively impacting your life and its not something you care to do why would you get a licence?
There is a good reason why I do not have a fishing licence.10 Reply19.4K opinions shared on Other topic. I find it very odd unless you have some type of a handicap. Or you have some type of a fear or you’re just lazy
32 Reply
+1 yI think it's pretty odd since most of the occupations and daily affairs on distance require active driving ability to deal with your work on somewhere for especially procurement or purchase assistance jobs. Every person must be able to drive a car as early as possible.
10 Reply
+1 yYes it is , my neighbor is in his 30s and has a truck just sitting there (it was his father's)
And he doesn't even have a driver's license, his excuse is I'm really scared of driving...
Here's the kicker , he drives a forklift where he works 😑10 Reply
+1 yIt’s odd because by adult age most people have learned to drive. Is it Normal for someone not to know how to drive as an adult? Yes, not everyone had someone one to teach them or the courage to do it on their own.
10 Reply1.9K opinions shared on Other topic. Well I heard last night did he got his driver's license so I guess it' is only you right now
12 Reply- +1 y
I was being a smart-ass
You said, is it odd if a 42 year old can't drive. Or is it just me
And then I said I guess it's just you because he got his license last night can you say that you're the only one that you can't drive sorry it's kind of stupid but at the time I thought it was funny LOL
I do not think that it is odd if a 42 year can't drive. They might not be interested or sse are scared but whatever it is. It's not odd. They can use transportation or I don't know.. walk if it's nearby. It's up to them. So no it is not odd
10 Reply
+1 ySome people live in public transportation-provided areas such as San Fransisco and New York City. It is easiest to take a cab, subway or trolley to work on a daily basis.
20 Reply
Anonymous(36-45)+1 yIn some huge cities like London, UK it is nearly impossible, to drive and even less possibilities to park at our designation. I would not drive there, if I would live in a city like that, only while visiting.
I drive and in last ~17 years only 1 month had no access to a vehicle.
It is not odd to me not to drive, and know a lot of people who do not drive.
Most common reasons: to expensive to get a license, rich enough to be driven around, already lost a license to drive,...10 Reply
+1 yThere was a woman I knew didn't get her driving license to age 68
and some people can't drive due to disabilities, If you are on medications
driving could be a high risk30 Reply
+1 yI couldn’t function as an adult without my own vehicle. The amount of freedom it provides is unparalleled.
30 ReplyI almost was not allowed to drive, because of my seizures. Now My license is my prized possession. It would break me if I lost it.
30 Reply
+1 yI quit driving in 2000. I lived in Seoul, Shanghai , and Bogota and never had a problem.
13 Reply- +1 y
If my life depended on it probably but I don’t carry a license
No it’s not odd at all. I’ve known plenty of people found about similar age who Don’t drive.
30 Reply- 3.1K opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yI suppose it is but I can't drive because of my assorted medical conditions
11 Reply I can't blame somebody about it but if somebody can't drive car in England they can't able to drive different country (specially country with busy traffic), England is very quiet about it...
15 Reply4K opinions shared on Other topic. It's possible especially if it's a women...
It's not a gender thing...
It's just social structure dose not let's women have chance or considers it essential skill10 Reply- 1.5K opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 ymaybe a little odd as in 'not usual' but not bad or anything.
12 Reply- +1 y
ohh naughty kara ;)
+1 yNot particularly. My mother never learned to drive. Some people would just be a menace on the roads.
21 Reply12.9K opinions shared on Other topic. My aunt and mother in law never drove but they grew up in the city and you did not really need a car.
20 Reply- 1.5K opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yNope thats not odd at all I live in New York City where getting around is not a problem so some people never learn how to drive
12 Reply- +1 y
I guess that true
+1 yIn this day and age it would be considered unusual. I do know a few people who have their license but do not feel comfortable or confident on the roads they choose not to drive.
There's a lot of us nutters on the road 😀10 Reply923 opinions shared on Other topic. Very odd. I honestly don't know how someone would function day to day, unless they lived in NYC etc.
10 Reply- 2.1K opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yUnless you're in a densely populated area, nope. Actually I can't drive, maybe that's a bit odd.
10 Reply
+1 yI guess it really depends on if there is public transportation in his/her area.
20 Reply
+1 yI think it depends on the situation. I work with someone who doesn't drive. They walk home. I don't want to pry into their business.
11 Reply- +1 y
I forgot to mention that the person I am talking about is about 42.
Anonymous(36-45)+1 yI would see it as if you can't drive in your 20's its odd. Dont get me wrong i didn't learn to drive until i was 21, That was due to circumstances beyond my control. Foster care doesn't exactly permit you to drive.
10 Reply2.1K opinions shared on Other topic. if there' enough public transportation and u don't NEED to drive... no biggy. but every adult should know how... just in case.
IMHO.10 Reply311 opinions shared on Other topic. I would not give a flying fuck about that but my dad though oh boy my dad will scream to that person for being a complete dumbass and will say bad things about them.
10 Reply4.5K opinions shared on Other topic. Yeah odd for any adult but I myself got my license pretty late
11 Reply
+1 yIf you grew up in a country where it's common it's a little. odd
10 ReplyIt'd be weird if live in a country that's main mode of transportation is car.
10 Reply- 1.1K opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yIf you live in a big city, why can rely on public transport, uber and taxi, it is nothing unusual
21 Reply- +1 y
*where you can rely
- 762 opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yI am about to turn 40, and I cannot drive because of a medical condition. Maybe, They can't drive for the same reason / reasons.
10 Reply 907 opinions shared on Other topic. I was born in New York City and there are people that don't drive there. It would depend on the situation.
10 Reply
Anonymous(36-45)+1 yIt depends on the persons health. Some people are writen out from driving because of health.
10 Reply
+1 yDepends on their history, was there trauma or did they grow up in like an Amish situation?
10 ReplyHonestly, If the can get around with public transportation, no. It's not.
10 ReplyI wish more people in the US would realize this and never drive a vehicle again.
10 Reply- 12.4K opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yIt’s very odd unless they live in Manhattan or maybe they are just afraid
10 Reply - 1.6K opinions shared on Other topic.
+1 yI thinks it's strange if anyone over 30 can't drive tbh. Unless of course they've got medical restrictions
10 Reply
Anonymous(36-45)+1 yNot really, unless you're one of those people that goes around judging people constantly in order to avoid judging yourself.
08 Reply
Opinion Owner+1 yYou just answered your own question. Why do you even care unless you're just looking to judge people.
Opinion Owner+1 yExactly what I expected. You must hate yourself. I would too if I were you.
Opinion Owner+1 yYou like being raped up your asshole with a knife all the way to your throat, whore? 😂😂😂😂
Opinion Owner+1 yYou have some long ass fingers for someone on a dick question site.
It’s odd, I don’t drive cuz I live in Manhattan, but i can drive.
10 Reply
+1 ysome places you can't, or they can't afford a car..
10 Reply- Show More (25)
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