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

[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.

 

[Last Hugh Alive]

"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.

I've heard they're scaling that back too. That was also a deterrent for me that I forgot to mention earlier, for those of you (most of you) who don't live in Australia: Before you can progress from the Learner stage of your license, you must drive a total of 150 hours under supervision. Very hard to stay motivated with such a ridiculous hurdle to get out of the way.

 

[Alpha Maeko]

It normally takes me anywhere from 30 - 45 minutes to walk to work, depending on the traffic.

5 minutes in my car? Less chance of getting all sweaty before even arriving? Awesome.

But yeah, it does require you to be making enough for a car payment and insurance and gas.

 

[bluepilot]

in my mid-twenties and still no driving license, myah ha ha ha ha.

Having a car is convenient but also a huge financial black hole. Once you buy it, it looses value all the time, you have to keep giving it petrol、then there is road tax, MOT, insurance and IF it breaks down, be prepared to stump up some big cash.

Saying that though, I do not like public transport a lot either and maybe a little car would be nice. I would rather have a motorbike though.

 

[isbjorn]

I agree with a lot of other comments. It's probably a good idea to learn and get your license. However, just because you have a license doesn't mean you need change your habits. Have it in case of emergency, since it seems you live in a great area where it's not a 20 mile hike to get anywhere. I didn't get mine until I was 27, mostly because I didn't need one till then, partially because I was uncomfortable behind the wheel.

 

[TheLaofKazi]

I only drive when it's necessary. Otherwise I try to hitch a ride with someone else, walk, or ride my bike. Driving eats up gas, and a car is one of the most terrible investments you can make with how quickly the value drops when you use it and how much money you need to put into it when it starts breaking down. Personally, I wouldn't mind walking or biking up to an hour to get to work. I would actually enjoy it. The only problem is you can't really do that during the colder winter months, and in cases where the weather is otherwise shitty. I find solitude in walking or biking, and it's a good way to stay fit.

Although I do like driving around while listening to music, especially at night. Music makes everything better.

 

[brunothepig]

On top of that, I've also been told that Australia has a high incidence of vehicle accidents involving young drivers. This is the part that actually scares me: The fact that I could potentially be involved in an injury, or even an accident that only damages my car, because of another driver's recklessness.

To this point I'd like to point out that the only reason that would be significant is that a lot of young drivers are reckless/inexperienced. As long as you drive carefully, your age won't be a factor in accidents.

Besides that, I agree with you. Not sure where you live, I live in Perth. Buses and trains can get me where I want to go, failing that a taxi, but I've not needed one yet. It helps that I'm always home by the time buses stop running, since I'm not the least interested in going clubbing or anything. If I'm going out with friends to a late movie at the cinema, or to a show/concert that runs late I can count on one of them to drop me off.

Plus, my mate has a car, he actually uses it a lot since he lives in the country, but point is it's constantly sucking up money. Petrol, insurance fees, occasional repairs. It's in good shape, but he's still had to replace the tires once, I believe he just had to get a new muffler. I'm with you, a car is more hassle than it's worth for me. I think we're in the minority, I've been told by a lot of people that driving is a lot of fun. I've gone driving a few times, just not cared. I'm 18, have been for almost six months, and I still have no form of license.

 

[Cazza]

I got my license. Though I prefer not to drive. I don't plan on buying a car until I need one which is probably atleast 2 years away. Having and not using it is better then the other way around.

 

[RoyalSorceress]

I don't want to learn to drive either.
And in fact, my dad didn't learn how to drive until his 30s, and that was only cause my Mom couldn't drive herself to the hospital while in labor with me.
So I think it's OK if you don't want to.

 

[Asuka Soryu]

You're not alone. I'm 21 and I just don't see the appeal in learning all that's in this boring as hell book, to pass a test to get a liscence so I can pay some crap load of money for a car, so I can drive to places I could've walked to or caught a bus for 2$.

I don't see any appeal in driving.

 

[Smiles]

I am 22 and I don't like driving. I have a drivers license but not a car. Driving terrifies me though, and I hate even being a passenger. I've been in enough near fatal car accidents in my life thank you very much, and have known too many people who have died from car accidents thank you. I would rather walk or bike.

 

[Doctor Brobotnik]

Buy a longboard. Easier than skateboarding, faster than walking, feel badass rocking down hills.

Driving is overrated I reckon, unless you live out in the ass-end of nowhere, getting by without driving is no big deal.

 

[Craorach]

I'm thirty, I only just got my first driving licence.. for a scooter.

The only problem I've ever had with not driving, is getting work. People want someone they can depend upon, and any outside problem can cause public transport to not be dependable.

I never wanted to drive a car, I hate them tbh, closed in killing machines that most people don't take seriously. That's my reason for not driving a car. If I drive a bike, however, the only real danger I am is to myself.. if I crash, I'm unlikely to seriously hurt a person other than me.

 

[ryougahimura]

I found that driving wasn't so much a choice as something forced on me. I can't speak for foreign countries, but as I've seen mentioned, driving is seen as a right state-side. Everyone told me "Having a car is your freedom". Where I was living, it wasn't so much freedom as it was the only option. And when I factored in car payment, insurance, gas and upkeep; I found that I was paying for what was essentially a luxury with what I pay now for rent. I preferred Public Transport cause I could get where I needed and do what I needed without having to be essentially homeless. (A car is essentially why I lived with mom till I was in my mid twenties. Those are facts. Deal.)

Only now that I'm older do I find myself wanting a car. On weekends I'd like to be able to get out of the city. I currently live in the US Northwest and it's astonishingly beautiful out here. I'd like to get out and see more but the bus only goes so far as do the trains. That and I seem to be developing a paranoia about motorists wanting to hit me as I cross the street. May seem crazy but it's like I can feel cars hitting my legs as I cross in front of them

 

[Mandalore_15]

I never gave a shit when I was a kid. But now, I can see it's quite a disadvantage, especially when employers want it. I'm currently learnign to drive, been draging it out for almost a year. Not really enjoying it, but need to get it done.

 

[TheAmokz]

You are not alone. I am also 20 years old and have no intention to get driving license.

 

[Halceon]

I salute you, because the one thing we don't need is more drivers capable of basic human negligence. The less people choose to get a license, the greater the chance some of them will get autonomous cars. And then, hello future!

 

[eggy32]

There's nothing wrong with not having a driver's license, although a lot of people I know seem to think everyone should immediately apply for their license as soon as they turn 17.
Many of my friends were shocked to find I'd not applied for mine or even cared. They all over-reacted and seemed to think having a car was something awesome like riding a dragon.

Almost a year later and I still haven't bothered with it. I just don't need it. When I want to meet up with friends they always want to meet up in the town I live in so it's fine for me.
Everywhere I want to go or will want to go for the next few years is either within walking distance or not far from a bus stop.