How old is too old?

Ignore your DD. Just GO FOR IT!

I agree with everyone else! Most of us are still working in our mid fifties. How would you feel if your employer said you were too old to learn new skills? You'd be justifiably outraged, (and could sue for discrimination)!
Go for it!

No you are not too old, go for it and the best of luck to you!

My dad was 52 when he took his driving test [ and passed ]. It has been a lifeline for him and my mum, now both in their 80's , and like you living in an area with poor public transport. Go for it, you will never regret learning to drive.

Never too old - go for it xx

Mid fifties??? I'm 50 and if I thought I would feel too old to do anything by 54/55 I'd be taking a long hard look at myself (and booting my DD up the backside)

Of course you can do it!!

Hardly! Yes could easily be tootling around in your car for 30 odd years. It's really not that difficult and you don't know until you try.

Definitely not too old. Go for it.

I passed at 47 - change in circumstances meant I either did that or travel long distances by train or coach. Have never regretted it. Go for it and good luck!

Another thought, if you find learning in a manual tricky, try an automatic. (Though give a manual a go first).

It's an important life skill and passing my driving test gave me a bigger thrill than any exam before or since! It means you are FREE. Main thing to remember, is to get as much practice as you can and don't, whatever you do, stop driving once you've passed your test. It's easy to lose confidence then. Keep going. If the rest of us can do it, so can you! Good luck!

I agree with Janeainsworth. Shame on your daughter.

I agree, you are not too old to learn,if I didn’t drive my whole way of life would change.Although I am older than you I had to learn to use a computer,not easy as I had never done office work, and now I am taking piano lessons again and finding it difficult but hope to get to a satisfactory standard. Consider it a challenge and go for it!

I never learnt to drive and have never regretted it. I am curious to know why people think it so necessary. If I want to visit friends, I get a taxi, as I would if I wanted to go shopping. My groceries are delivered. I wouldn’t take a car into town even if I could drive.

In what way would I be more free if I could drive? As it is, I am free of the cost of buying and running a car, repairs, parking hassle, MOTs, car cleaning, vehicle insurance, being driven mad by other drivers, worrying about that funny noise in the engine, depreciation and countless other things. Car owners and drivers spend a lot of time grumbling.

Admittedly it depends where you live.

Admittedly it depends where you live

You've answered your own questions there!

I am 55 and have been considering it. I took lessons and a test 28 years ago. Failed on minors and never took it again. Would love to be more independant! Go for it!

You are not too old, so get the lesson book today! Come on you can do it and you will be amazed at your new found freedom. Good luck! x

Go for it, you have got at least 20+ driving years if not more! Sign on and be more independent in the future. No having to ask and hanging around waiting for people to give you lifts.

I am 58. I am a driving instructor. I teach older ladies who for various reasons decide they need to learn. It does take longer than the average 17 year old but most can learn. You just need the right instructor.

Book your lessons right away. My colleague was in her sixties when she learned and passed. Don’t be held back because of someone else’s opinions. Go girl.

Your DD has no idea what it's like to be in your mid-50's.
She's definitely not an authority on whether you can learn things at that age, but lots of people on here are and they're telling you to give it a go!

I'm another who says you're never too old! Get those lessons booked and away you'll go. Enjoy!

My only regret in life was not learning to drive. I suffer with anxiety and thought I could never do it. At 59 encouraged by my son I started lessons in an automatic. Passed first time 5 months later a month after 60th birthday. I had a wonderful instructor who was so patient with me. Wish I had done it years ago. It has made life so much easier.

Jeanlizzie being a driver gives you lots of freedom and independence. You are NOT too old to learn.

See it as a challenge. Take at least ten lessons and as it gets a bit easier to handle a car you might find you enjoy it. Learning is a daunting prospect for most non-drivers, whatever their age, but see driving as another accomplishment - something you are doing for yourself.

You might feel even more unsure and regret not doing it if you leave it even longer? Go for it!

My mother learned to drive when she was in her mid fifties and it was a godsend for her. She was a delightful but scatty person and failed the test a couple of times to start with but then changed to an automatic and passed with no problem. Fifties is not at all ‘old’ ...just go for it. People have a tendency to think anyone older than they are is old. I remember Mick Jagger, when in his twenties, saying he couldn’t imagine still playing in a rock band at forty
and how ghastly and pathetic that would be ..?