Can you - do you - drive?

Yes I drive and have done since I was 20 years old
I couldn't have secured the posts I did to further my career without being able to drive
I find it baffling when people don't drive although I do understand some people may be nervous to do so.
The one thing I have particularly enjoyed during this lockdown is that it has made me walk more
Ive managed most days to do 10k steps whereas before I would have not achieved half of that because I would have automatically got in my car for most trips

Never learned to drive. Couldn't afford lessons, couldn't afford a second car or its upkeep and DH would have hogged the one we'd got. I know it sounds pathetic but I also knew what it would be like. The man is besotted by cars.

To be honest, I suppose fear has always been a reason. I had a few goes driving round empty car parks but I didn't enjoy it. The thought of driving in traffic was unappealing.

My bossy big sister passed her test and had some sort of weeping breakdown, driving to work in the rush hour. She never drove again, though she now lives in the middle of nowhere. My feisty best friend passed her test, went out for a drive and drove into a ditch. She too never drove again. I think that the truth was that they both wanted a reason to stop doing something they hated. I suppose it helped to put me off.

Maybe I should have learnt but I don't have any longing to do so. Eldest DD drives - she wasn't keen on motorways but now drives regularly on the freeway in the USA. Younger one wants to learn and get a car but, again, money is the problem.

Drivng has been a lifesaver for me during this awful lockdown. Im in my seventies and still want to drive as long as possible. My dog Alfy goes with me and loves cars too. Passed my test after being widdowed and never been behind a wheel although it took a few attempts to pass. Best thing I have ever done.

I'm 74 and still tow a 23 foot caravan round the country.

It’s been fascinating to read everyone’s experiences here. One thing that stands out - use it or lose it!

I’m baffled by so many people who avoid motorways - they’re the safest roads you can drive on! The M25 is much easier now they have the traffic management system in place, too.

I've been driving since I was 17 & I'm 61 now. I used to do a lot of motorway driving when DD was away at school but these days, DH usually drives if we're together as he gets car sick! I enjoy driving & on a day like today, theres nothing like putting the roof down & hitting the road...to the supermarket.!

I can, but don't now. Only learnt when we lived in Australia because I needed to get a job.
Always hated it, used to panic before getting in the car.
Sold our car not long after DH died. Luckily we have excellent local transport services locally.

I passed my HGV test when I was 51 (68 now) which raises a few eyebrows ?

I can and do drive but I'm afraid I am another who doesn't like motorways and dual carriageways so l stick to A to B driving. It's a surprisingly common fear, apparently. My husband loves driving and l like being a passenger so when we go out he is generally the driver and especially on long journeys.

66 and been driving since I was 24 but don't drive at night now as I can't see and get disorientated. I've driven all over but as my husband loves driving he's always driven if we go out together. I've just changed cars before lockdown to one we can both drive and he is making me use it rather than go in his. Must admit when he finally gets rid of his next year I might just feel a bit miffed not being quite so independent

I drive everywhere and was so glad I was able to when my husband died. We need to maintain our skills as we are getting older if we are medically able

Only to test my eye sight. Sorry couldn't resist it!

I love driving, I’ve been driving 40 years and never made an insurance claim. I used to share the driving with my late husband, I loved motorway driving in particular, it was a nice time for long chats. Until one day a huge lorry jack knifed right in front of me, literally missed us by inches.. if I’d been going a few miles faster... So since then I will only drive locally. You could be the best and safest driver in the world but you never know who’s out there on the road with you..

I drove on motorways till I was involved in an accident that wasn’t my fault. My car was written off and I was injured. I forced myself to drive again but I must admit I avoid motorways whenever I can now.

I drive anywhere any time (when allowed, of course). Been very impressed by Green Flag who have just mailed me to say all their clients can have a free 10 point test as many vehicles have been lying unused. Well done them.

Grrr ...don't go there ! Having lived in Europe for 21 years and having to drive everywhere (Spain, France, Germany) since moving back to the UK I haven't bought a car and MISS it ! I have at the present a French driving licence, which allows me to drive for life (moves are afoot in France to bring in an age limit but so far it is not working !)….and when I went to buy a car there was a problem in that I am over 70 and need to exchange my licence for a UK one ...looked on DVLA website ….so much hassle I haven't bothered …..and I have a friend who say If you buy a car I AM NOT getting in it ….that's nice, isn't it !!!! I also tried to book a few lessons to refresh driving on 'the other side of the road' but again, my French licence (originally passed in the UK about 52 years ago) was a problem …..so I am lucky in that I live on the coast on the outskirts of a big city and have a Metro, busses, and endless taxis available and to be honest, wouldn't want to drive round and round for hours trying to find parking which is a nightmare here …...we will see what happens after lockdown ……..

Yes still driving . I love driving my car and I can’t wait to get out and about. Don’t mind motorways but I am not keen on driving at night but will do if hubby has had a drink. I do like it though when one of my daughters says shall she drive - so I can be lazy and she is a good driver. My Dad stopped driving about 90 and he was an excellent driver but he thought his actions were getting a bit slower so he stopped- but he wasn’t really keen to stop but thought it was safer. I wish I had learnt to drive a motor bike as Dad had bikes and son has too - but feel it’s too late now as I wouldn’t be able to hold it up - so will stick to my car. My Mum didn’t learn to drive until in her 50’s - I was living in Cornwall and she drove me a car down as a surprise present that they had bought for my birthday - Dad followed - it was over two hundred miles and she hadn’t long passed her test - I thought that was an amazing achievement - bless her.

I drive myself anywhere and everywhere now, after rebuilding my confidence. When I was with my husband he always criticised my driving to the point I rarely drove if he was in the car as every trip always felt like a driving lesson even though I had passed my test many years ago. I have never had points on my licence nor an accident, ( touch wood) and am generally much less stressed and even tempered if stuck in traffic. I even treated myself to a little convertible sports car after I left him, totally impractical, but I love it.

I love driving, will drive most places,except not too happy in rush hour motorway traffic,but that isn't too often as no major motorway network here in norfolk

I’ve been driving for around 50 years and much prefer being the driver to the passenger. I can’t think of any women I know who don’t drive. It was almost a right of passage in the late 1960’s.

I drive myself everywhere I need to go, I like my independence. Having said that I only drive my own car, I had a courtesy car a few months ago and found it hard to drive and really stressful. Like some others I find night driving more difficult as some drivers don't dip their headlights.

My father told me I would not be a good driver because I overthink things (the latter is true, though when I do drive I am not bad!), and he taught my brother but not me. Living in London and Bristol I didn't really need to, but I learned at 27 as part of therapy for depression. I was never confident, though, and when I had twins I developed some form of phobia that has never really gone away, despite refresher lessons, etc. My husband doesn't encourage me to drive, which doesn't do much for my non-existent confidence. We live in a country town with little public transport now, so I know that one day I may have to do it, and I live in hope that I may beat the nerves, but then again there are far too many cars (and poor drivers) out there now, so why add to them...

OH and I can both drive and do so, we tend to share so if he drives one day, I drive the next time we go out. He doesn't mind being driven by me nor me by him.

Except he will twiddle with all the various knobs and dials apparently to ensure he is perfectly comfortable. Never mind that he should have done all that before setting off....

63 and drive and ride a motorcycle. I took my full motorcycle test when I was 50 and found it very useful for revising and brushing up on the highway code. I passed my Advanced rider test 2 years ago and found that really useful too. I have always detested public transport (crowded, people sniffing and coughing all over you, expensive and inconvenient), and have always preferred the independence of my own transport.

I didn't want to learn to drive, but circumstance at the time forced me to learn or be stuck with two children a long way from anywhere and reliant upon others. The driving instructor remarked that every time I had a driving lesson it was as if I was going to my execution. I was a timid driver to begin with and hated getting onto motorways and driving round the Army and Navy roundabout. My lovely friend and neighbour sat with me whist I was a learner, for practice between lessons and after the test for experience. She insisted that I drive us at every opportunity. Thanks to her I eventually drove anywhere except in London.
I never overcame the anxiety when I had to drive long distances on roads I didn't know, but just faced it out and did it.
I don't drive now. My night vision is awful, and where I live now it is easy to get around using public transport. I miss it though when I have heavy shopping bags to drag home, or when I feel like taking off somewhere on impulse, or the time spent waiting for buses and being tied to timetables.