Adults who don't drive

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

silverharp wrote: »

how can you predict the future like that? I think you would risk going on the undatable list. Would you honestly want to have a family with someone who wouldn't learn to drive, leaving the partner to drive everywhere, shopping , kids, nights out.

Being unable to drive didn’t stop me finding boyfriends and eventually a husband. I rarely leaned on any of them to drive me places. Open your mind.

Deebles McBeebles

Supercell wrote: »

My wife is an adult who doesn't drive and likely never will.
She failed her driving test 3 times though and would likely fail another 300 as apparently turning your head when driving is impossible to do...

Funny, I thought a severe neck-rotation-limiting injury was required to be able to drive, sure seems that way sometimes.

LollipopJimmy

I'm 30odd and don't drive. I did drive from when I was 19 up until this year, insurance renewal came around and I realised I hadn't used my car in 3 months. I work on the edge of the City Centre, work in the City Centre and generally shop daily because I prefer to do that. If I ever need a car for anything I'll just use GoCar.

One of my buddies has a car he paid 14k for, pays insurance/tax of around €1500 and drives to work daily which is about a 10minute walk away and that's pretty much all he uses it for, well the odd booty call too at stupid o'clock (He's a non drinker). That's a shocking waste of money in my eyes

gmisk

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

I'm 30odd and don't drive. I did drive from when I was 19 up until this year, insurance renewal came around and I realised I hadn't used my car in 3 months. I work on the edge of the City Centre, work in the City Centre and generally shop daily because I prefer to do that. If I ever need a car for anything I'll just use GoCar.

One of my buddies has a car he paid 14k for, pays insurance/tax of around €1500 and drives to work daily which is about a 10minute walk away and that's pretty much all he uses it for, well the odd booty call too at stupid o'clock (He's a non drinker). That's a shocking waste of money in my eyes

Well it all depends how good the booty call is surely?

silverharp

silverharp wrote: »

I think you need to be a special kind of idiot not to learn to drive, nobody is suggesting you have to have a car after that, but get the fekin test and don't be a leech in the future especially if you end up with a significant other.

If the predictions of the future of motoring are to be believed, self driving cars will be everywhere and no one will own cars.


They just "whistle up" one using an app and it will come to their door and take them to where they go.


A bit like Taxis do today.

This Fat Girl Runs

I don't drive, never have and never will. I get around by walking or taking a bus. If I absolutely need to be driven I get a taxi. Why my decision to not drive offends you is beyond me.

AndrewJRenko

kona wrote: »

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

Yeah we really need more teenagers on the road.

Plenty of 17 year olds can afford to run a car alright.

Driving is a life skill and can be beneficial to getting employment.

Driving is killing our planet.

Those 17 year olds would be better off learning to pilot a boat, if the sea levels keep rising.

s7ryf3925pivug

Growing up in Dublin I didn't see the need for it. As an adult in Dublin I only needed one when I moved house. As an adult outside of Dublin it was clearly restrictive and inconvenient not to have one - so I learnt to drive and got a car. Where I live now, you need a car to get anywhere further than the local petrol station and post office.

I never assumed people should drive me places. When people did give me lifts I'd give money for petrol if sharing journeys, or token gifts like a few cans of beer if they were doing me an outright favour like helping me move house.

It was extremely inconvenient and quite expensive learning to drive after leaving home, since you can't use your parents' cars or have them as qualified accompaniers. In retrospect it was a bad idea not to get licence sorted as early as possible. But it was just a bad decision, not being a big baby or a leech or something.

McGrath5

Greyfox wrote: »

So it's ok for you to assume all non drivers are the same? I'm a 38 year old non driver who will never own a car due to the insurance rip off but I never ask people for a lift. Stop assuming everyone that doesn't drive is the same.

If you had read my post properly you would see that I am taking aim at non drivers who are expecting to be carted around by drivers simply because they are too lazy / stingy to learn to drive themselves.

Church on Tuesday

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

I don't drive. Don't ask for lifts. Live beside a train station so it rarely bothers me. If anything I am always turning down lifts as drivers think there is no other way. There are taxis and public transport bikes,your feet.
I walk a lot and am the same Weight as twenty years ago. Maybe if people drovery less there would be less faties around.

Yup this. Most people I know won't walk to the nearby shop, they will drive. In fact they will drive to anything really within walking distance out of pure laziness.

I'm not driving yet, but aim to within the next few years. I'm 31 and have mostly lived in cities.

I really don't understand this stigma towards people who aren't on the road yet so what? I consider myself extremely independent and unless where it is absolutely necessary may ask for a lift. Always offer petrol money. Public transport takes care of the rest.

I keep in decent shape too by walking to the shops!

witchgirl26

I learnt to drive when I was in my mid-20's. Didn't need to before then as lived beside bus routes and the DART so was always able to get around myself. The only time I have a problem with people who don't drive is when they expect lifts off you but don't offer anything in return for them. One of my best friends doesn't drive so if we're going somewhere, I'll drive. While she doesn't give me money for petrol, she'll often pick up little presents for me or grab the bill for lunch or something in return. I get that she appreciates the lift and that's enough for me. If she just expected it with no thanks, then it's a problem.

Likewise my brother in law doesn't drive and while it's had annoying moments for my sister, he rarely if ever asks for a lift anywhere and is happy to make his own way places so doesn't cause any problems for them.

whisky_galore

I do think that driving is a necessary life skill and getting the test done and licence sorted as early as possible is a definite must.

If you choose not to have a car after that, fair enough, but the friends or partner you rely on to ferry you around might not be there forever. Life circumstances change and not having the ability to drive closes a lot of options off for you; certain jobs, not being able to hire a car for holidays etc.

swaner

I don't know, I am owning 2 cars, driving from 16 years, I couldn't imagine life without "wheels" So I respect people who save a fortune for not driving, but I don't drive them, usually I said when they ask for drive, I give the phone number of my friend who is cab driver

dvdman1

Any idiot can drive a car, its not anyway a big achievement. DRIVING SAFELY is whats important.
Not driving is perfectly fine..... only a complete idiot with think otherwise, theres lots of reasons why one may not drive.
Some victims of car accidents may refuse to drive from physiological damage. Lifetime risk of dieing is 1 in 240 in the UK it may be worse here.
I dont think you have seen photos from car accidents some are worse than war zones. What if your 3yr old was smashed all over the road could you still drive after?

What about climate change some people take it more serious than others, it takes on average an entire acre of mature woodland to offset the co2 of a car doing 14000km per year.

Yes i drive, but ive no problem with nondrivers neighter should you.

RayCun

I learned to drive when I was in my 30s and had kids. No real need before then.

And as others have said, the idea of learning to drive at 17 'just because' is pretty silly. Learning to drive is expensive and time-consuming, and driving is a skill that takes practice. If I did ten driving lessons and passed a test at 17, then didn't drive for another 15 years, I'd be a terrible driver when I restarted.

"everyone should learn to drive" has the hidden assumption that everyone should drive

VeryTerry

I learned in my late 20's because like others here I worked in the city centre.

I wish I did it sooner purely for going on holidays around Ireland or renting a car abroad. It opens up a whole new world you couldn't see without a car.

yyt

I couldnt imagine living in Ireland without a car if i was outside one of our cities.
When i came home from Canada i had to use my mothers car for a time and it was hell and nothing but grief.
I got a car as quickly as possible, got hit with the insurance jump having left the country for to long
My gym buddy at the time i used to collect but he previously had collected me so it was no biggie
But there is always people looking to use you for a lift which honestly i just ignore and dont do it

Rubberchikken

I wish that i didnt drive/need a car. The cost is ridiculous but until publuc transport is magically improved i cant see a day where i can get rid of it.

benjamin d

I'm strongly considering ditching my car very soon. Living in Dublin city so don't need it day to day, and with GoCars everywhere now it's actually easier to grab one of those as needed than use my own. If I roll my tax, insurance and running costs into a GoCar account I doubt if I'd even spend close to it all in a year so it's a no brainer really. No fuel, tax, insurance or repairs - it's the future.

Brian CivilEng

I don't drive, but I do have a license. Got it in 2009 during the recession as I thought I'd need it for work. Got a job where I didn't need it, and my car was written off when the car park for our apartment was flooded. Took that as a sign and haven't driven in over 5 years.

I find the hardest thing is convincing friends that you don't need a lift. When you rely on a car you forget that it's entirely possible to survive without one. Way cheaper too. I live in Dublin mind, near the DART and multiple bus routes.

Greyfox

silverharp wrote: »

how can you predict the future like that? I think you would risk going on the undatable list. Would you honestly want to have a family with someone who wouldn't learn to drive, leaving the partner to drive everywhere, shopping , kids, nights out.

That's the stupidest reason ever for not dating someone, no it wouldn't bother me at all, with how expensive kids are it would make more sense to have the 1 car. I'd be open to driving if a situation called for it but I don't see ANY possible future where I'd need a car

pxdf9i5cmoavkz

Foweva Awone wrote: »

I'm 33 and I don't currently have a car - absolutely no need for it, as I live and work in Dublin city centre and I have a free travel pass

How are you:

1. 33 years old
2. Working

and have a Free Travel Pass?

D3V!L

I'm 40 soon and dont have a car licence. I've been driving a bike for the past 20 years and never really had the need for a car. My wife has a decent car and we've discussed me getting my licence for the car soon at some stage. Living and working in Dublin city meant it was never a priority for me.

engiweirdo

Liam Purring Redhead wrote: »

How are you:

1. 33 years old
2. Working

and have a Free Travel Pass?

Disability that doesn't negate one's ability to work. The possibilities are pretty wide nth. Narrow minded much?

Ol' Donie

Holy hell. We're cross with people who don't drive now?

Neyite

People will always say that they don't depend on their partner to take them places, but they do, even if they didn't when they were single, it changes when they partner up.



If ye get invited to a wedding, it's not like you go "no love, you go in the car and I'll get the two connecting buses to the church and a taxi from there to the reception". Bollocks, the person who drives will drive to the church then onto the reception and back the next day. Same goes with needing to go out for cigarettes or walk home from the bus stop in awful weather when your partner is at home and the car is just sitting there. If they don't ferry you around, they end up doing messages for them 'because they've a car and it's handy'.

pxdf9i5cmoavkz

engiweirdo wrote: »

Disability that doesn't negate one's ability to work. The possibilities are pretty wide nth. Narrow minded much?

I'm not sorry for asking a question that is obvious to one such as yourself. Go chew on a chill pill.

Foweva Awone

Liam Purring Redhead wrote: »

How are you:

1. 33 years old
2. Working

and have a Free Travel Pass?

I was on disability allowance for a few years. (I'd previously worked full time for most of my twenties.) I've recently managed to get myself off disability and on to a CE scheme, however I've been allowed keep my free travel card. When I say "working", it's not like I'm earning much money, but it's amazing to have my independence and a sense of purpose back in my life. Plenty of people never come off disability once they go on it, I'm delighted to be off it and hope never to go back on it again ... the CE scheme is hopefully a stepping stone to getting a career of some sorts back on track.

engiweirdo

Liam Purring Redhead wrote: »

I'm not sorry for asking a question that is obvious to one such as yourself. Go chew on a chill pill.

If that's how you take pills I'd say you might have a decent case for a pass yourself.

Yer Da sells Avon

Ol' Donie wrote: »

Holy hell. We're cross with people who don't drive now?

"Anyone who doesn't do all the things that I do is essentially a tosser"

Mrs OBumble

engiweirdo wrote: »

Disability that doesn't negate one's ability to work. The possibilities are pretty wide nth. Narrow minded much?

Nope.

Most paying jobs would mean losing the FTP.

The poster has explained that their job is one of the volunteer schemes - that's how come they have both. Most people would have one or the other.

Greyfox

McGrath5 wrote: »

If you had read my post properly you would see that I am taking aim at non drivers who are expecting to be carted around by drivers simply because they are too lazy / stingy to learn to drive themselves.

I did read your post properly, the fact that you said you wouldn't date a non driver says you have a problem with people who don't drive. Also lots of drivers give lifts without ever complaining so lots of people don't realise the inconveni

Thargor

Rubberchikken wrote: »

I wish that i didnt drive/need a car. The cost is ridiculous but until publuc transport is magically improved i cant see a day where i can get rid of it.

Ebikes are getting so good now along with other forms of alternative transport that they are becoming a viable alternative to the car for a lot of people, you won't be doing Dublin to Cork obviously but living in the middle of Dublin a car is a bit ridiculous, total financial handicap. Personally I stick to a decent roadbike because I need to keep the burn on to stop becoming a fat bastard and I'm saving for a mortgage.

I honestly can't wait to see what the options are like in 10 years time though with the rate technology is evolving, young people in places like China and India don't even bother with cars anymore, they're all on Ebikes or Escooters.

thejuggler

Baffled that it bothers people that some individuals don’t drive. If you live in a city it is possible to get from a to b without your own car.
The cost of motoring means one car per household make financial sense.
Some people don’t take to driving. Some don’t drive for medical reasons and some for financial reasons.
Don’t make judgements without knowing the facts!

Greyfox

If you had read my post properly you would see that I am taking aim at non drivers who are expecting to be carted around by drivers simply because they are too lazy / stingy to learn to drive themselves.[/quote]
I did read your post properly, the fact you wouldn't date a non driver says you have an issue with non drivers and a bigger issue with non drivers asking for a lift.

suicide_circus

owning a car while living in Dublin city centre is a positive hindrance

jmayo

dvdman1 wrote: »

Any idiot can drive a car, its not anyway a big achievement. DRIVING SAFELY is whats important.
Not driving is perfectly fine..... only a complete idiot with think otherwise, theres lots of reasons why one may not drive.
Some victims of car accidents may refuse to drive from physiological damage. Lifetime risk of dieing is 1 in 240 in the UK it may be worse here.
I dont think you have seen photos from car accidents some are worse than war zones. What if your 3yr old was smashed all over the road could you still drive after?

You know that a lot of people killed in accidents are pedestrians.
And get this you can die as a passenger in a car also. :eek:

suicide_circus wrote: »

owning a car while living in Dublin city centre is a positive hindrance

This isn't about not owning or driving a car, it is about people who actually can't drive, some have never even tried or just given up.

I know of a lad, early 30s who can't drive, refuses to learn.
Now he gets lifts from two different people to work.
Both those people will be retired in 5 years.
There is no suitable public transport to get him to work.
Actually it would improve his work prospects if sometimes he could hop in a van, but no he can't.

Lia_lia

I have a car. Don't really need one as I live in Cork city and there are buses. However, it's handy for when I visit my hometown in Kerry. Also my partners family live in the countryside. He keeps saying he'll learn to drive but doesn't seem to have much interest. Would be nice to share the driving with someone on long journeys but what can you do.

pew

I don't have one as the cost is too much for me.

If you have diabetes, generally your license is only for 3 years and on top of that you need to do a medical assesment a month before which is more of an expense. So for me at the moment, there's no point in driving us it's not financially viable.

iguana

I didn't start learning to drive until I was 37. I had no need to drive before then. As a learner driver I occasionally felt a bit embarrassed to have L plates and an accompanying driver, especially around fully licensed people who were clearly a lot younger than me. And I'd chastise myself for not learning sooner. Then I'd remember the lovely detached house I bought for cash when I was 35 and be relieved I'd never been so stupid as to spend a couple of decades wasting thousands of euros a year on a car I had no need for.

It makes sense to not waste money on a skill that's expensive to gain and maintain. Because when the time comes that you do need it, it really doesn't take that long to get to grips with. I drive all the time now. I've racked up more driving time in the last year and a half than many people do in a decade. I have two vehicles, a car and a campervan and driving the latter, a large heavy vehicle with no rear view requires a reasonably different skillset that many people who have been driving 20 years would struggle to get to grips with. I'm glad I've learned to drive, having the camper in particular gives me access to a lifestyle I couldn't have as a non driver. But waiting to learn until I was at a point in my life where I needed to drive and could afford to drive also contributed to my current lifestyle in positive ways so I'm glad I waited until it was necessary.

mvl

I only drive because someone needs to in my family: never liked driving, got my license when I was 32 (after my baby arrived).
- spending money on taxis/buses/trains was ok with me.

Then ... if I were to imagine a more desirable alternative in future, it would be for me to have an executive car driven by a personal chauffeur // would be happy to sit at the back and relax while somebody else drives me everywhere...

Muahahaha

I know a lad like the OP is referring to. In his early 50s, three kids and has never driven nor has he any intention of doing so. His wife drives but she doesnt enjoy it and can be nervous. Hence his not driving affect their family life- they never have trips away down the country with the kids, furthest they go is to the local park. When it comes to weddings/events she is always driving and him always drinking. Personally I think it is quite selfish and I know it has put a big strain on their relationship but he still wont sort it out.

VeryTerry wrote: »

I learned in my late 20's because like others here I worked in the city centre.

I wish I did it sooner purely for going on holidays around Ireland or renting a car abroad. It opens up a whole new world you couldn't see without a car.

For me this has always been one of the best reasons to know how to drive. Ireland is a beautiful place but the best spots have no public transport. If you havent driven the likes of the Conor Pass, Slea Head, Beara peninsula, Wild Atlantic Way, etc then you are completely missing out. You dont even need to own a car, just have a license so that you can rent one. Its the same with holidays abroad, outside of the big cities you miss out big time if you cant drive.

Even though I don’t use the car that much, I am very glad I can drive. It becomes especially useful if you choose to have kids.

Galwayguy35

I live in a small village and work in the city so a car is essential to people living in rural areas.

I couldn't care less if someone can't drive as long as they don't come looking for free lifts as there is no public transport here., I had to deal with leeches like that in the past and won't let that happen again.

meeeeh

Muahahaha wrote: »

For me this has always been one of the best reasons to know how to drive. Ireland is a beautiful place but the best spots have no public transport. If you havent driven the likes of the Conor Pass, Slea Head, Beara peninsula, Wild Atlantic Way, etc then you are completely missing out. You dont even need to own a car, just have a license so that you can rent one. Its the same with holidays abroad, outside of the big cities you miss out big time if you cant drive.

That's exactly it. The most stunning beautiful places in Ireland are away from cities or towns. Knowing how to drive opens a lot of options that wouldn't be accessible otherwise. There is no need to own a car if you don't need it as long as you can hire one.

mohawk

In my thirties and currently learning to drive. I live in Dublin can walk to work and honestly I just couldn’t afford to drive until now. Now I have the money I am learning. It can be embarrassing driving around with L plates but I am getting there.

DoozerT6

If you're older and driving with L or N plates, people could quite realistically assume that the plates belong to your teenage child

Muahahaha

Id hate to be learning to drive right now than 20 years ago. At least back then a L plate told people to be cautious around you, nowadays it seems to tell people to be aggressive around you

Galwayguy35

Muahahaha wrote: »

Id hate to be learning to drive right now than 20 years ago. At least back then a L plate told people to be cautious around you, nowadays it seems to tell people to be aggressive around you

They were just as bad back then bullying learners on the road.

theguzman

I started driving around a field when I was about 11 years of age after taking hay off it. My father would then give me driving lessons up and down back roads when I was 12. There was no guards and you'd rarely meet any other cars except local people who wouldn't report you anyway.



Got behind the wheel officially aged 18 and within weeks came within inches of death, took a break from driving and got back driving again in an Automatic when I was 19, never looked back and only this year changed my car. I have driven in America, Germany (Autobahn), Australia and in Asia since then. I would often go out for a drive just for the pleasure of driving especially before when fuel was cheaper back in the day.