17 year olds that don't want to learn to drive. WTF ?

[Mr POD]

Was giving my niece a lift the other day. She's 17 on Sunday.

I ask when she starting driving leasons, and I'm told she's not ready to learn to drive, because there's no point, as she won't be able to afford insurance, and she does not need to be able to drive.

I know her older brother had driving leasons and a years insurance on his mums 1.3 escort at 17 for his birthday present from his grand parents and I know they have the money stashed away for her too.

On the other side of the family, another nephew aged 18 now, was told by his parents that they would not help him learn to drive as he was too immature.

I'm at a fecking loss. WHY ?

[hugoagogo]

quite right, i say

there's too many people on the roads who can't drive and aren't interested in learning how, without forcing even more on to the roads

[Munter]

Cars are evil. M'kay.

[kambites]

I know a few adults who have never learned to drive... why haven't you learned to fly a helicopter?

[Taita]

Worst thing I ever did was leave it till I was 18. Cost me a fair amount.

Even if you don't get a car, you can still say to the insurance company when they ask - I have had my licence for 3 years etc, which will bring it down marginally.

[page3]

I had no interest in cars at 17. Learnt to drive at 28. Bought a TVR

[rabw]

I learned to drive when I was 17. I wanted to, but my parents paid for my lessons and everything because they thought that although it wasn't necessary at the time, at some point (like getting a job) they didn't want not being able to drive to get in my way. But my parents were/are good like that.

[Buzz word]

Not being able to afford it seems fair. My little brother just became mobile. His first year in a T plate poverty spec fiesta will be aleviating him of £1200 of his Saturday jobs income. I would have to think long and hard before I got a premium like that let alone a lad on his income.

[stew-S160]

friend at work who is 21 now, only started driving when he turned 20 i think. anyway, up till that time, he didn't care for driving, wasn't interested etc etc.

he now realises his life is easier, better, etc, simply because he can drive. he can't imagine being without a car.

[SirTainly]

I agree, I tried to learn to drive at 17 and wasn't ready for it. On top of which I had no money for a car, insurance on my mum's 1.0 Nova would have been over £1000, which my she couldn't afford and nor could I. When I needed to be able to drive at 22 I paid for my lessons out of my salary and got myself on the road. I think I would have been a worse driver if I had passed my test at 17 then had to wait another 4 years before I could afford to get behind the wheel.

[Mr POD]

hugoagogo said:

quite right, i say

there's too many people on the roads who can't drive and aren't interested in learning how, without forcing even more on to the roads

Fair enough.

From a parental point of view I've always thought that if you get your kids a driving licence, then they can always get to any job they want, or if they can get work as a van driver or taxi driver if they fail to become the rocket designer they think they want to be. (Does that make sense.)

From a young adults point of view I was just desperate to learn to drive, from about 12.

[Neil_H]

If people prefer the bus, good luck to them. People with little interest in driving would probably be crap drivers anyway.

[DeadMeat_UK]

I'm sure there's a whole bunch of people in the world that think we're all odd because we don't give a toss about who wins celebrity come singing x factor in the jungle.

Each to their own. The less people who want to be on the road the better.

[smutbag]

I didn't learn to drive until I was 24.

My parents couldn't afford/wouldn't put me on the insurance on their car - it was a taxi

Besides there were six of us, could you imagine the fights? And bangs

Never did me any harm, just cost me a bloody fortune later in life.

[deviant]

I have got a few mates that never bothered to learn. They cant really afford the expense of learning and then running a car and they are in a location that allows them to rely on public transport, a push bike or their legs.

I was a late starter to. In the UK I just could not afford to learn and like my mates I didnt NEED to have a car. My first words were "car brum brum" and I always wanted a car but money and the practicalities of Want - V - Need always got in the way. I did start to learn at 17 but ran out of money.

When I got to Aus its the first thing I did and to be honest I think being older has made me a better driver. I flew through lessons and the test (not that its hard here) and remain accident and point free almost 5 years on.

[Mr POD]

SirTainly said:

I agree, I tried to learn to drive at 17 and wasn't ready for it. On top of which I had no money for a car, insurance on my mum's 1.0 Nova would have been over £1000, which my she couldn't afford and nor could I. When I needed to be able to drive at 22 I paid for my lessons out of my salary and got myself on the road. I think I would have been a worse driver if I had passed my test at 17 then had to wait another 4 years before I could afford to get behind the wheel.

This is not about money, although maybe she thinks it is.

My son is 17 in 19 months and I'd find the money for leasons and insurance, and time to sit in with him giving him practice.

If he says No thanks I'll be gutted. I think.

[odyssey2200]

kambites said:

I know a few adults who have never learned to drive... why haven't you learned to fly a helicopter?

because learning is Sooo expensive and owning and commuting would be expensive and difficult to land.
But I surely would if I could

I had a lesson and loved it

Friend of mine has a 19 yo son who has never has a lesson, never had his own transport always uses the loser cruiser.

[Mr POD]

DeadMeat_UK said:

I'm sure there's a whole bunch of people in the world that think we're all odd because we don't give a toss about who wins celebrity come singing x factor in the jungle.

.

One mans interest is another mans mental illness ? Good point.

[Petoz]

I don't see why people should be urged to start driving at 17. If you have the drive (no pun intended) to get yourself your license, and have a real interest in driving, the chances are you will a better driver for it. If people choose to use the bus, it is their loss, and it keeps the roads slightly less empty. I learnt as soon as I turned 17, and passed pretty soon afterwards. I don't know what I would've done without my car. 4 years down, and I can't remember the last time I used public transport, thank god.

[paulmurr]

I didn't learn until I was 21. At 17 I was more interested in getting drunk and partying. At 19 I moved into Edinburgh where I could not afford to run a car, had nowhere to park a car and was still too interested in getting drunk and partying. When I turned 21 I decided that it was about the right time to start to learn and took a few lessons and passed first time.