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."
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.
Best
I 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.
I'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.
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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.
I 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).
I 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.
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.
I 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.
It 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.
My 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:)!
Kinda 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.
If 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.
Yes 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.
I 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.
In 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.
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.
Odd 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.
Some 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.
Not 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.
Its 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.
u 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
I 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.
Yes 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 😑
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