Cars & Transportation Non-Drivers

[emuboy]

Every day you see bad driving on the road and think the world would be a safer place if the idiots driving so terribly were unable to operate a motor vehicle, but do you know any adults who cannot drive?

This is relatively common in England where many rely on public transport, but in Australia it is far less common. It wouldn't be that unusual for an older woman in retirement age to have never driven (her husband and later her kids may have done all the driving), but one of my cousins is aged in her mid-30s and has refused to even contemplate getting her driver's license. A woman I worked with also never drove, but she was extremely nervous and highly strung, so it was probably better she did not. Another woman I know was unable to ever learn to ride a bicycle or drive a car. More unusually, I sat in on a job interview panel at work once and we interviewed a seemingly ordinary guy (married, kids, plenty of relevant experience, mid-30s) for a position that he seemed well suited for. It was almost as an afterthought that we asked about his driver's license (this was essential for the job) and we were struck dumb when he quite casually told us he did not hold a license, and had never driven a car.

I also remember reading in the newspaper a few years back about an Adelaide man who gave up on attempting to obtain a license after more than 15 years (starting in 1992 when he was still at high school) and numerous driving test fails, saying he could not take any more disappointments.

What are your experiences with adult non-drivers?

 

[edgie]

Adult non driver here. More by circumstance than by choice. I get by absolutely fine but it has prevented me from getting other jobs.

 

[TheFreshBanana]

I am banking on future wifey and kids to drive me around everywhere.

 

[Hamingja]

An old boss of mine had mild epilepsy and couldn't drive. Don't know anyone that is a non-driver by choice.

I think if you lived and worked inner city you could get away with no car easy enough. I'd still want a license though to be able to rent a vehicle in certain circumstances.

 

[Scotland]

Non-drivers are ****ing weirdos.

 

[Soups]

An old boss of mine had mild epilepsy and couldn't drive. Don't know anyone that is a non-driver by choice.

I think if you lived and worked inner city you could get away with no car easy enough. I'd still want a license though to be able to rent a vehicle in certain circumstances.

I have a mate who had his license and had a fit while driving causing an accident. He never had a fit before in his life. He wasn't allowed to drive for a couple of years and finally got the OK to drive again, and a few weeks later had another fit. This time luckily he didn't cause an accident. He now can't have a drivers license and quit his job as a plumber because it was too hard to get to all the various sites around town.

 

[Croweater]

Non-drivers are ******* weirdos.

Nice generalisation!

I think that some people are better off using an alternative means of transport and I wish some of the Fast and the Furious wannabe dipshits and archetypal overly slow and panicky drivers would do the same.

Morans.

 

[Perth gal]

My Mum used to drive but doesn't anymore. I don't know the real reason really , if she is just too anxious to drive or what. She catches buses everywhere or other people drive her.

Sometimes I get a bit over it.

I also have a close friend that doesn't drive . She has a teenage son and husband . She's actually a really easygoing person but the whole thought of getting her license makes her so nervous.

 

[Catfish Alley]

My brother-in-law doesn't drive. He just gets public transport everywhere. He's almost 30 now and it works for him.

My wife would drive locally maybe once a week. We just have the one car anf i take it to work.

Communities are planned more and more with walkability in mind so it's not really a hassle unless you live in a rural area. Public transport is probably quicker with the traffic issues over here.

 

[BALKAN]

I don't know how it is in other cities but I can't imagine being an adult in Perth and not having a car

 

[Sydney Bloods]

know plenty of non drivers, they bug me for lifts. still more tolerable then cyclists. at least a pedestrian can comprehend running a red light when there's an oncoming car is not a good idea.

 

[placebo]

I don't know how it is in other cities but I can't imagine being an adult in Perth and not having a car

I manage it. Easier in other places, no doubt, but not this impossible venture that some like to make out.

 

[Gough]

It's pretty easy where I live, I can walk into town inside 40 minutes, buses are shitty but regular, taxis are pretty cheap, and most of my friends live locally so it's easy to blag lifts. The amount of complaints I see here about bad driving makes me kinda glad I never bothered with getting a license tbh.

 

[MWPP]

Got my license (every stage of it ) pretty much as early as I possibly could
I couldn't imagine being a non-driving adult in Perth (by choice anyway)

A few of my interstate friends (from country Vic, Melbourne, and Adelaide) were non-driving adults (by choice), but ended up getting their licenses at 23-25

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I never got my licence until very late, didn't need one, didn't want one, and didn't have the money for the upkeep of a car anyway.

By the time I got it my right eye was going, so since I passed my test I haven't driven again in 18 years. Until last year I kept renewing my licence, because many places won't accept other photo ID (except a passport, and that's not so convenient to carry in a wallet). Once the department decided to suspend my licence until I got a safety check done, I gave it up.

The only problem I have right now is old PCs and other junk I need to get to the e-waste centre. Its really only an issue 2-3 times a year, max.

 

[Hatchy1992]

Non-drivers are ******* weirdos.

I have mine, but what about those that can't hold one due to personal circumstances like health problems? My brother has epilepsy so he's legally not allowed to attempt to go for a license until he goes 6 months without an incident. Sure, it gets annoying when he bugs me for lifts everywhere but it has to be done.

I can't agree with that statement.

 

[rdhopkins2]

Some people can't legally drive due to medical conditions or just being anxious or knowing they aren't great drivers. Good on them on their personal choice especially if they think they are a risk to themselves and others. Too many people driving that shouldn't be.

 

[rdhopkins2]

Some people can't legally drive due to medical conditions or just being anxious or knowing they aren't great drivers. Good on them on their personal choice especially if they think they are a risk to themselves and others. Too many people driving that shouldn't be.

I've had elderly relatives that shouldn't have been driving. Problem is they are stubborn and value their independence. Plus their options for public transport are limited. Perhaps local councils could look at shuttle buses to shops and public transport that elderly people could use by booking 24hrs before to get more off the road. It would cost money but could help save lives and injuries.

Not saying all elderly drivers are bad as they fall across all demographics but in many cases the elderly bodies start failing them mentally and physically, making them an increased risk.


I find many of the younger drivers driving poorly do it by choice to push their car, impress their mates, think they are gods fort or just don't plan to allow enough time for their journeys.

I was a young driver once but like most managed to drive sensibly and to my skill level. Never had an accident or speeding fine as a result.

Whoops just quoted myself!

 

[Eagle got a win]

Non-drivers are ******* weirdos.

not really. know plenty of non drivers but they all live 10-15 minutes of the city.
For me though it would be impossible as I live 40 minutes away from the city.

Think its a lot to do with where you live. If your in the country or at a distance of 30-40 minutes away from your nearest city then driving is a must.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Non-drivers are ******* weirdos.

Agreed. Never met someone who didn't have their licence by choice who wasn't a bit of a weirdo

 

[Adzam]

In my personal experience the non drivers I know are all no hopers. They are just lazy and rely on others to drive them around. There's a guy I work with 24 year old mature age apprentice. Absolute drop kick no motivation to do anything. Barely talks, fat, stinks and when he does decide to have a conversation it's just about all the drugs he did on the weekend. My boss have given me the responsibly to drive him to work and home because he doesn't have his license. I'm not an antisocial person but that's still my personal time. I like to have a bit of quiet before work and after. Listen to music or podcasts. I think it's a bit unfair that I have to drive this grub around because he is too lazy to get his license for a job that he is going to need to license

 

[Adzam]

He ****ing stinks my car out too. And also expects me to drive him to the shops to buy Lunch when I bring my own to work.

 

[Hamingja]

I have a mate who had his license and had a fit while driving causing an accident. He never had a fit before in his life. He wasn't allowed to drive for a couple of years and finally got the OK to drive again, and a few weeks later had another fit. This time luckily he didn't cause an accident. He now can't have a drivers license and quit his job as a plumber because it was too hard to get to all the various sites around town.

Pretty rough when it effects your livelihood. My boss had a company car so one of the girls that lived near him took that and just drove him to work and back everyday.

 

[Scotland]

I have mine, but what about those that can't hold one due to personal circumstances like health problems? My brother has epilepsy so he's legally not allowed to attempt to go for a license until he goes 6 months without an incident. Sure, it gets annoying when he bugs me for lifts everywhere but it has to be done.

I can't agree with that statement.

Being a non-driver because of a medical condition doesn't count. My cousin couldn't drive for a couple of years because of epilepsy, hardly his fault.

 

[Scotland]

not really. know plenty of non drivers but they all live 10-15 minutes of the city.
For me though it would be impossible as I live 40 minutes away from the city.

Think its a lot to do with where you live. If your in the country or at a distance of 30-40 minutes away from your nearest city then driving is a must.

There's a distinction between not owning a car and not being able to drive one.

If I lived in a proper city I probably wouldn't own a car. Even living in Perth and working in the CBD I only did a few thousand km a year in the car. Being able to just drive to the shops at 8pm, play social sport after work etc. are the advantages of having a car. PT in Perth is very limited because of the population density.

People who can't drive are just a pain in the arse. Moving house - someone else has to drive you. Road trip down south - someone else has to drive you. Every night out, bbq, dinner party, trip to Bunnings - someone else has to drive you.