Driving your own car

@maximax8 (31055)
United Kingdom
March 28, 2013 9:49am CST
People that pass their practical driving test and can afford to buy their own car are very lucky. I bought my car in 2006 however I didn't manage to pass my practical driving test until 2010. Last summer I drove my car down from North Somerset to Cornwall. I took my two young children and we set off at dawn time to avoid busy traffic. We stopped off at the Eden Project to see all the lovely plants. I drove to where we were staying by tea time. Driving my car makes my life much easier and saves me much time. It is a shame petrol costs have risen considerably in my home country. Do you have a car that you can drive? How keen are you on driving? What do you like about driving generally?
3 people like this
26 responses
@alpha9180 (301)
• Malaysia
29 Mar 13
Yes, my first car was with a manual gear and I am happy to be able to possess a valid driving license. Prior to this, I had to travel by public transportation and it was very inconvenient. Very often I needed waste a lot time waiting for transport as well as to walk a long distance to get to my desire destination with public transportation as they only pick up and stop at certain places. Having my own car saves me a lot of time as well as walking. It really makes my life very much easier [em]happy[/.em]. I need not have to worry about the rain and shine too. The only problem I face with driving is getting caught in a traffic jam. However, it is not so much hassle now for me as I have own an auto gear car instead of manual gear like before. This is much easier to drive and less stressful as compared to my previous manual gear car.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
28 Mar 13
When I was in my late twenties, I wanted to learn to drive because I was now married. Before I did not have enough money to learn to drive, let alone to pay for a car, and also board or rent in a place at the same time. Of course, it was a failure. Either I could drive, but fail the written test, or the opposite. It took me a while to get my drivers, and then because I was not using it because we could only afford one car, my husband threw away my license. I wish I had enough money to do so. But that would never happen. Because now to get your license, it is like you are treated as a teenager, need a supervisor along with you, cannot drive more then so many miles, etc.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
29 Mar 13
It was because I had so many romance novels and he felt I had too much stuff. But I wish he had put it away someplace, so I would be able to drive now.
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
28 Mar 13
I wish that you had more money my friend. In my home country a driving instructor that has an automatic car sees many older or nervous learner drivers. He or she can be very kind and understanding. I almost gave up learning to drive due to the constant drain on my finances with all that driving tuition. Amazingly I was given a course of driving lessons and the tests. The British School of Motoring driving lessons turned out excellently for me. It is so awful your husband threw away your driving license. I know it was because you only had enough money to keep his car on the road.
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
28 Mar 13
I passed my test in 1989 and shortly afterwards got myself a mini, sadly the mini brought me nothing but problems and it put me off driving, so a few years later I sold it, it wasn't until 2004 that I started driving again, even then I managed somehow to get a car that needed a bottomless pit of money, it was a Ford Fiesta, when I changed it in 2006 I got a car that was 1 year old, a Nissan, and third time lucky, the Nissan has been extremely reliable I have still got it, albeit its now 8 years old. I love my Nissan, although I don't go far nowadays, only to the gym, I am so glad I have it and wouldn't want to be without it.
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
28 Mar 13
Hello Wolfie. I wish that I have learned to drive sometime between 1989 and 1995. That would have been my younger days. 2010 was my lucky year passing my driving test hey. I am glad that these days you have a reliable Nissan. Yes, it would seem it is third time lucky. Your Ford Fiesta sounded awful and I am so sorry about your Mini being nothing but problems for you.
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
22 Apr 13
I have a car, I love to drive, but I hate traffic. I have had my driver's license since I was 16. The last longish trip I took was a round trip to Kaufman to pick up more of the roommate's stuff. I have driven to Colorado and back once to pick up my mom and another time coming back from Colorado when she had to stay an extra couple of days.
@GreenMoo (11834)
28 Mar 13
I've had a car since before I passed my test and have used it regularly. There have been times in the past when I haven't, in all honesty, needed one, but I liked the independence it offered me. Now I do need one as I live pretty remotely, but I wish I didn't.
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
28 Mar 13
Hello Green Moo. It was excellent that you got a car before you had passed your driving test. It is a shame you don't have a car now that you live in rural area. When I lived I the Kent village the bus service was terrible. I relied a lot on my push bike in those years.
14 Apr 13
Yes we own our a car and we like to go out for the day in it. I really in fact enjoy going out on road trips but, the cost of petrol is so high sometimes that we do not always get to do as much as we used to do.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
29 Mar 13
I don't drive. I have a driving license (more than 2 years ago) and can afford to get myself a car. Yet, I am very scared of driving and prefer to be in the passenger seat and enjoy the sights or spend that time to be in my own world of thoughts. I need a lot of concentration to drive....which would leave me with less time for the other things I need to do....keep an eye on kids,think, ponder, etc.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Apr 13
Gas prices? Blame George W. Bush. Driving tests are easier here. I passed mine when I was 17. My car is a mini van, very useful for traveling with children. It has TV screens and a DVD player in back for them among other things. I'm Ok with driving, but I'd rather be the passenger and either read or enjoy the scenery.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
8 Apr 13
Driving is one of the few activities that relaxes me. I like it when there's some good music, and there's just me and the road (even when there are other people in the car, and they don't disturb me). I bought my first car in 1997. In 2003, I gave my car to my brother. Last Christmas, when I managed to come back to my hometown, I was able to see my old car again. I was glad that it still runs.
• Marikina, Philippines
30 Mar 13
He he he he That is so lucky. I am not lucky but, if I ever earn enough money, I would take driving lesson Anyway, what I like about driving is that it would be easy transportation to me and it would be no hassle like taking a commute from home.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
29 Mar 13
Yeah having a car is nice. For a while we only had one vehicle which made it difficult to be able to go places when we moved to a different town from where my husband works. So now he has to take the car for the whole day and he doesn't usually get home until late. He just bought a work van and my daughter and I have been using that now if we would like to get out of the house. I really do enjoy being able to come and go if I would like too.
@lil_toni (206)
29 Mar 13
We don't have a car and we can't afford to buy one now because its very expensive. Besides, we still have other important things to buy and to consider though having one would also help us. Driving my own car is what I also wanted. Well, maybe one day, when that time will come, I will ask my father to teach me on how to drive it. I also loved to see other girls riding their motorcycles.
@gljcleeve (147)
29 Mar 13
I love to drive my car, the feeling in independence, the freedom and the opportunity to enjoy all of our gorgeous English scenery. But as you rightly point out, the cost is starting to become prohibitive and the roads are getting far too crowded, and with too many foreign drivers and idiots who get lost or cause accidents and tail backs. I much prefered it back in the 70's and 80's when there was more room on the roads and petrol was cheap enough not to have to worry about the cost of a simple trip to the coast. Enjoy your car while you can, the government will soon put a stop to it :(
4 Apr 13
Why would you buy a car when you couldn't even drive it. I have a truck and drive locally. I am not comfortable driving in big cities. There are so many different lanes for different turns, lights, signs, and round abouts. They are always coming up with new ways to make the roads easier to navigate but it all just confuses me. Plus some people drive so fast, I like to go slower and relax.
@succeednow (1633)
• Singapore
29 Mar 13
Hi maximax8, I have a car but nowadays I don't prefer to drive as I rather be driven when I want to go somewhere as in taking the bus, mass rapid transit or even a taxi. I find it too much of a hassle to drive and look for a parking lot. It is so much easier and relaxing when I'm driven around instead of the other way round. Actually I prefer to walk if the distance is not too far as I find walking therapeutic and also it's a lot healthier. That's my opinion. Have a good day.
@toyota4k (1208)
• Philippines
29 Mar 13
I have one that I or my son drives but sometimes I ride the bus to the city since gas prices went up.
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
29 Mar 13
I've learned how to drive when I was in high school. The sad thing is I don't have my own car. I am planning to have one after all my financial obligations are settled in the days to come. That is also one reason why I am trying my best to be successful online. Have a wonderful day!
• Philippines
29 Mar 13
my brother owns a car but he would never allow me to drive it practically because he thinks im a girl. thus, whenever i need i car he would drive for me instead and make sure to send me off safely. :)
@Adval2013 (436)
29 Mar 13
I actually was able to drive our family car when I was in high school. That was very short distance driving because I couldn't be issued a license yet. Two years later I got a student permit but didn't drive since then. That was twenty years ago and last month, my husband urged me to apply again for a student license and this time, take it seriously because I am about to drive my own car! I think that after I pass my driving tests next month, I will have to be among those who drive with much caution and consideration. What I like about driving is the freedom to go where I want to go without the discomforts of having to transfer from one transport to another just to reach your destination.
@dagami (1158)
• Rome, Italy
29 Mar 13
i learned how to drive more than twenty years ago. i got hired as a medical sales representative and the company gave me a car so i had to learn fast. i remember that on my 2nd day at the driving school the teacher forced me to take the wheel in the middle of the traffic. i got so scared that i would have an accident but fortunately everything went well. i love driving, it eases my mind. having a car means a more convenient life but the insurance fees and the gas prices are so high these days that sometimes i wonder if it is worth it considering that public transport is always available where i live.