Is it wrong that I don't want to drive?

[Sylveria]

I didn't get my licence until I was nearly 20 for no other reason than I felt no real need to. Now, after having done so and having several years under my belt, I rather regret procrastinating in the fashion I did. Yes cars and gas are expensive, but if you drive in a minimalist fashion and have even a low paying job, the cost is rather negligible.

 

[Shockolate]

Heh. Earlier today a friend left his microphone (Ventrilo) on as he was refusing to drive his sister. The "conversation" was quite hilarious.

If you don't want to drive, so be it, but a license is a good thing to have.

I'm 19 and don't have my license either.

 

[Last Hugh Alive]

Is it wrong? Absolutely not. Is it a sign of a different generation? absolutely.

That's an interesting thought.

I suppose the reason I ask in this thread whether people think I NEED to drive is because "So, got your license yet?" seems to be one of the most frequently asked questions I get from older relatives, as well as probably the one thing my parents pressure me about most (although I hate to use the word "pressure" since they're pretty lenient most of the time).

And I've noticed a lot of responses in this thread who approve of driving either simply urge I learn the skill for when I need it (which I plan to at some point), and people who, because of their location or job, actually need to drive. I respect that, but thats not relevant to me since I live in the suburbs and about a half hour drive away from the city for which I catch public transport anyway.

I'm happy to get my license and a car for when I need them in certain situations. I suppose the point I was originally trying to get at was the social aspect around driving. Its something that I know I obviously don't NEED to do, but despite how little occassions I personally would need a car for, I tend to get a lot of strong reactions, usually of utter confusion, when I tell people how little motivation I have for driving.

 

[Cain_Zeros]

Doesn't seem like it's all that necessary for you, but for me it'll make my life a lot easier. Walking everywhere isn't all that efficient (and kind of exhausting), and the bus system where I live is fucking retarded. And asking for rides kinda leaves me feeling like a burden.

 

[Vykrel]

im 18 and im not interested either, although i know i will have to learn at some point.

 

[xXAsherahXx]

I was in my friends car about a week ago, nicest, kindest person I've ever met, and in the hour she was driving, she cursed like a sailor and yelled at every person going a few miles under the speed limit.

I'm 17 and I hate driving too, gas is a *****, and it bores me straight to hell. Unfortunately we don't have any trains or bus routes that take you anywhere important. Instead, they take you across your respective state.

 

[viranimus]

Is it wrong? Absolutely not. Is it a sign of a different generation? absolutely.

That's an interesting thought.

I suppose the reason I ask in this thread whether people think I NEED to drive is because "So, got your license yet?" seems to be one of the most frequently asked questions I get from older relatives, as well as probably the one thing my parents pressure me about most (although I hate to use the word "pressure" since they're pretty lenient most of the time).

And I've noticed a lot of responses in this thread who approve of driving either simply urge I learn the skill for when I need it (which I plan to at some point), and people who, because of their location or job, actually need to drive. I respect that, but thats not relevant to me since I live in the suburbs and about a half hour drive away from the city for which I catch public transport anyway.

I'm happy to get my license and a car for when I need them in certain situations. I suppose the point I was originally trying to get at was the social aspect around driving. Its something that I know I obviously don't NEED to do, but despite how little occassions I personally would need a car for, I tend to get a lot of strong reactions, usually of utter confusion, when I tell people how little motivation I have for driving.

The confusion is readily explainable. First off a drivers license is sort of a rite of passage for most people. Secondly for most people the ability to drive grants an exceptional increase in the level of freedom they have. Both are seen as in essence signs of growing up and maturing. Your family/friends might be perplexed because you seem satified to buck the trend that they have accepted as the norm and deviated for four years (or how ever many years it might be as your local laws may permit)

Also, its one of those things, the longer you wait to do it, the less likely you ever will be of doing it, so typically its good to get that education out of the way relatively early. Also Insurance rates are actually more forgiving for infractions comitted while younger as opposed to when you are older. A teenager getting a speeding ticket is no surprise. A 40 year old getting a speeding ticket seems a little more unpredictable and thus risky.

Anyway. To each their own. Also only you can allow words to hold sway over you, so if you just dont care what people think of you not driving, it really wont be that big a deal.

 

[Last Hugh Alive]

No it's not wrong to not want to drive, each to their own. In my own situation I live 20 minutes walk from Uni, five minutes walk from work and I live in the centre of town, owning a car would be pointless.

Not to want to learn though... I wouldn't call it wrong but I would call it lazy. It seems such a cop-out and I've heard it time and time again; "I don't need to drive where I live", "I can't afford a car so why bother getting a license", "I'll just catch the bus or train or catch a lift with someone". Yeah but isn't it valuable to at least know that should the situation arise you know how and are legally able to drive? It happens a lot, among my friends who are still unlicensed they constantly face situations where they have to say "uh, sorry I can't drive". It's the adult equivilent of having to tell someone that you don't know how to tie your own shoelaces.

As to your fears of safety - look, being worried about something never prevented that thing from happening. It's not like not getting a driver's license is going to prevent you from ever being in a vehicle accident either.

Get your full driver's license. It's not like it's difficult, it's a useful ability to have and it's part of being an adult - whether you drive regularly or not. Once you have your full license, then you can opt to never drive again if you want because then you can be comfortable in the knowledge that if the situation arises where you find yourself having to drive you will have the skills and legal ability to do it.

I'll admit, the laziness argument shoots a little close to home. I do plan on getting my license and eventually a car because I understand the convinience, and perhaps necessity, for certain situations. In fact, the laziness is probably the only reason I haven't gotten my license.

My only problem is with driving regularly. The youth appeal of cars never just never resonated with me, and I always got a lot of joy/saved money by simply walking or public transport. I use this time to listen to music or read and its one of the more relaxing and, strangely enough, fun things that I do when on my own.

You have a lot of points I can't really argue with, though. Thanks for the input.

 

[Angerwing]

Getting a license/car is extremely liberating. It regularly comes in handy, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

 

[The_Vigilant]

I hear your reasoning. And having been bouncing around Asia for awhile where they have exceptional public transportation I can tell you that personal cars face inevitable obsolescence. However, driving is so...damn...much...fun. Get a nice little sports car with a V6, rack-and-pinion steering, and six on the stick and just TRY not to have a blast. Especially if you live where I'm from - the middle of nowhere.

 

[Bravo 21]

Not driving, thats great, I'm learning to drive, but I bike or bus almost everywhere. It keeps me in shape(the biking) and is fairly convenient(both),.

 

[AugustFall]

I'm 20 as well and up to this point had no reason to drive. However it was required and I sucked it up and learned (stick) which was hard and so very scary. However I became a very careful drive and passed my test first time. Soon after that driving was simple and common place. I'm now 6 months down the line and it's easy as hell.

As to your question whether you need to learn? It's kind of a useful skill if you ever go on holiday and really you're just hamstringing yourself if you don't learn.

 

[chaosyoshimage]

I'm 19 and have put off getting a driver's license up until now (I need to start, I don't know, "living my life" and that's impossible without a car when you live in the middle of nowhere). Lots of reasons for me, I don't care all that much, I can't afford a car (I guess I'll have to get a loan or something), and anxiety from driving with my dad (I really wish I could get past this, because he things I'm terrible but I can drive really well with my mom).

 

[Doom-Slayer]

Havent learnt, dont want to. I absolutely hate driving and theres really no need where I live. If you in a huge city in the states then ya probably. If you live in my quiet town in New Zealand then no.

To get to uni? Free bus
To get to ANYWHERE in town? Free bus
Cant be assed getting a bus? Bike there in 10minutes.

 

[badgersprite]

"Wrong"? No. It's your life and you're free to do or not do whatever you want.

And, if you're an Australian like me, you probably have to do the 150 hours of learner driving (although I hear they're scaling that back?) which can be a nightmare trying to find the time to do it. Driving schools aren't cheap, you know.

 

[Xannieros]

Not strange at all to me. I'm 22 and don't really want to drive. I know several people who also don't drive. Plus if I really need to I can take a bus.

 

[KarlMonster]

Afraid?

I have a class A Commercial Drivers License. I have driven 18-wheeler big trucks with vans, flatbeds, and tanker trailers. I've hauled video games and hazardous material.

And *I* am afraid to drive these days!

There is nothing wrong with any of you.

 

[silent_noir_67]

positive side of cars = nice to drive in because you can listen to your music and sing as loud as you want. and can get to the countryside without any difficulty.

negative side of cars= gas $$. insurance $$. buying a car $$. doesn't really get you far in a parking lot on the highway. always getting mooching friends asking for a ride.

as long as your transportation is satisfactory then I don't think you're missing out on much

 

[Burst6]

I really don't want to drive, and i suck at it too. I failed my road test two times so far. Too bad i need to learn so i can commute to college.

 

[LongAndShort]

I'd make like to make a few points against not learning to drive.

First, just because you're close to public transport does not mean you will always be close to public transport. And let's face it, Australian public transport is shit.

Second, a driver's license is one of the easiest forms of identification to get and carry. This may not seem like much for some people, but I'm a bank teller that has to identify people regularly and trust me when I say that I would get a learners for ID purposes alone.

Third, if you decide to get a car in ten years or so for whatever reason, saying you've been a motorist for ten years looks a lot better to people like insurance companies, than one.

Fourth, a lot of jobs require licenses, and you don't wanna miss out because you don't have one.

Fifth, ROAD TRIPS! suddenly become a lot more possible.

Sixth, there may be other moments when you are forced to drive (like a friend being injured or drunk and needing to get hospital/home). Expect the best, prepare for the worst.

Seventh... I could keep going like this...

In short, I'd recommend learning to drive, for the sake of being able to drive. You don't need to drive, but I think it's a useful skill (and license) to have. And, while I don't want to presume on your context or situation, it's probably a lot easier to get now than it might be later. I try an avoid driving whenever I can, and bus/train/walking it wherever I can, but the option is good to have available and I need a car to get to half the places I work.
It's perfectly fine to not want to drive, I agree with you on a fair few points, but that's different to not knowing how.