How old is too old?

Wow - how very dare your daughter suggest you're too old to learn to drive. course you aren't. Book some lessons right away. It's a real B that just when we're all being lectured about the need to not use our cars, public transport is going to hell in a handcart.
I use my car all the time to visit my children/pick the grandchildren up from school and do the shopping - oh yes and to keep in touch with friends. I'm old enough to have free bus travel but the bus routes mean I'd go three miles into town to travel 5 the other way - a journey I can do directly by car in 10 minutes .
Good luck with your lessons

Go Girl ???? drive !

You have over 20 years of driving ahead of you (or of sitting at home wanting to go places that you can't get to).
When you are young, 50 sounds ancient but you know it isn't so I'm surprised that you didn't just laugh it off. You could try one or two lessons and then see how it goes. You have nothing to lose (except the money) but an awful lot to gain.
Go for it.

I agree with the others, go girl. A word of caution though,
stay with driving instructors for practice. Family acting as support is not always good for family relations!!

Go for it. Find a good instructor, recommended by someone who's a bit twitchy, so you know they don't have similar silly ideas?

Its never too late, and you are NOT too old, go for it!Good Luck and enjoy it.

Definitely do it !

Absolute tosh - you are NEVER too old to learn a new skill. There are some amazing driving instructors out there - put out feelers and ask locally for recommendations, then ‘interview’ a couple to make sure you will be happy with them.

Then go for it! Think of the freedom, and independence, and fun you could be having!

Go ahead and learn! And as others have said, stick with it. Get as much practice between lessons as you can - with a driver who has a licence in the passenger seat. Lots of practice makes all the difference. You are young! Go for it!

go learn! go drive... they are merely physical years..

have fun... let us know how you get on,, you will have down days, and good days

I do so hope you go!

Go for it jeanlizzie - you are a mere slip of a girl!
As Espee suggested, get an automatic - a joy to drive. Think of the sense of achievement and the freedom.

I wish I was 54 again! That's young in my book!

You need to drive. You're a young woman. Prove your daughter wrong. (and do use an automatic car)

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 ..?

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 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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

Admittedly it depends where you live

You've answered your own questions there!

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.