Yeah, as I approach 40, I figure it's about time I finally got around to getting my driving licence. Last time I was behind the wheel was about 12 years ago; got as far as booking the test, and the night before it was due my wife washed my jacket that I'd pre-filled with my paper licence ready for the morning. Test aborted, and I never got round to sorting it out.
So...I'm doing the sensible thing and not telling anybody I work with or live with that I'm doing it. I figure I'm reasonably likely to fail at least twice before getting there, given that old folk tend not to get there so quickly.
Anybody else learned to drive later in life than normal?
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I'm 53.
The thing is, I don't have somebody sitting over my shoulder judging whether I should be allowed to use Linux without supervision.
Just remember that every time you drive you stake your life and the lives of those around you, a significant financial commitment, your status as a citizen, and your reputation as a "bloke" on being able to do it perfectly.
Enjoy it.
For what it's worth, I've already decided on my first car. Criteria:
- Cheap to buy, run and fix
- Small, to minimise the chance of bumping into stuff (and to fit on our driveway with the wife's car)
- Must look appropriately hilarious for a middle-aged guy
Answer? Ford Puma, of course. Runners up were the MG ZR (not cheap on parts) and Audi A3 (bit boring).
Passed first time when I took it, but I'd put that down to an excellent driving instructor rather than any brilliance on my part.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
You'll know you're comfortable at it when your thought process changes from mirror, signal, manoeuvre, to mild road rage at how bad other people are at driving... you'll be fine.
Ironically, this decision has been made shortly after I decided not to bother with bands any more...and I'd always considered that band transport was the most inconvenient part of not driving.
http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/uploads/cms_article/4501_4600/nissan-figaro-buying-guide-and-review-1991-4586_11122_640X470.jpg
I've been trying to get Eric Jr to learn but he has failed his theory test three times and is basically hopeless at driving. I put this down to video games, he seems to believe he can hit stuff and just get another life. At least at 40 you might have gained a sense of your own mortality.
An intensive course seems to be around the £500 mark although I prefer the old fashioned method of a retired relative shouting at you.
I'm a similar age to you @digitalscream and also think it's about time I did it.
The prospect of having a silly boy-racer car (by my generation's standards, anyway) definitely gives me incentive, though.
I think I'd find it harder to pass these days, simply because of the sheer volume of traffic on the road.
The 'Les Paul' of middle-aged boy-racers is the MR2. Lovely car.
Passed when i was 27, but I didn't drive for 2 years after that because although a car was useful, i didn't 100% needed it so put it off as long as i can.
Being older I was much pickier about the instructor, trying a few out until I found one who taught in a way that worked for me. I had a couple of lessons a week, then a week packed with lessons taking the test on the Friday morning. Breezed the theory test because someone got me the AA revision book, which does actually have all the questions and answers in it, so feels a bit like cheating.