NationStates Jolt Archive

I just got my driver's license last week, and I'm seventeen now. I got my learner's permit a month before I turned sixteen.

I took a driver's ed summer course last summer (driver's ed is not offered at my school during the school year), and it helped me a lot. I was very nervous at driving before then. The course would allow us to receive a waiver for the driving test so that we wouldn't have to take it when we went to get our license. We practiced the driving test one day during the course and I messed up on a lot of things. I did about four or five different things that would have made me automatically fail the driving test. After practicing with my dad quite a bit later that day, I did much better the next day and didn't do any of the things that would make me automatically fail it. However, I had made enough smaller mistakes that I still didn't pass it. I practiced some more, and the next day I passed it pretty well. My teacher said that I had improved a lot, and that most of the problem was that I was too cautious and nervous and going to slowly, and that led to a lot of my other problems.

Now I'm a lot more confident and I've even driven at night. I drove home from church today.

So I'm wondering when you got your license and started driving, and if you have any interesting stories about driver's ed, the driving test, or driving in general.

Started learning on my 17th birthday, passed the test five weeks later.

Started learning when I was 17, as that's the minimum age in the UK, and got my full licence six months later.

Oh, I think I took the mickey out of you elsewhere, but well done, really :)

I still can't drive. Though if I had actually tried to learn I suspect I would be able to.

i received my license at 17. i was pretty much the last of my friends to get one which wasn't so bad because i always just got rides with them. i didn't get my own car until i was 18

Started driving about 6 months after turning 17. Would have been sooner but there were strikes going on at the testing centre at the time.

As far as interesting driving stories go all I can say is that it's a really bad idea to drive up the wrong side of a dual carriageway the day after passing. Luckily the police didn't catch me

I grew up on a farm. Started driving around the fields at probably 10 or before. Drove tractors at about the same time. Drove on the road behind the equipment as dad moved from field to field.

Got license at 16 like most others. Took driver's ed. but everyone in the class had been driving for years so it was more of a formality.

I'm in my 30s now, and I haven't yet made my driver's licence. I never had any need for it whatsoever.
It might change eventually, as I'm considering having kids in a while, and they might need to be driven around. But as my BF will be the one staying at home looking after them, who knows?

I could have taken it this year cuz I'm turning 18 but I don't have enough cash so I'll take it next year. Not that I'll use the car anyway since it's worthless for me and it's polluting the environment but it's good to have a driving license.

Got mine at 18.

Lost my virginity at 18 too.

COINCIDENCE? Well, yes.

Got mine at 18.

Lost my virginity at 18 too.

COINCIDENCE? Well, yes.

More like the sudden availability of a back seat, I guess :p

More like the sudden availability of a back seat, I guess :p

Nah, the two had nothing to do with each other. Actually, I got my license after losing the cherry. And even after that, I didn't have sex in a car I drove. Although I did in a car her mother was driving. That was fun. *Reminisces*

Nah, the two had nothing to do with each other. Actually, I got my license after losing the cherry. And even after that, I didn't have sex in a car I drove. Although I did in a car her mother was driving. That was fun. *Reminisces*

Hopefully not while her mother was driving

Hopefully not while her mother was driving

...yes.

Looking back on it, that may be why her mother didn't like me. And that whole restraining order thing. But if so, it was a delayed reaction, that's all I gotta say.

Nah, the two had nothing to do with each other. Actually, I got my license after losing the cherry. And even after that, I didn't have sex in a car I drove. Although I did in a car her mother was driving. That was fun. *Reminisces*

You wasted a perfectly good car there, son.

I got my driver's license right before my 18th birthday, after the failing the test 3 times before. I got into a car accident last year, but that was because someone rear ended me, so it wasn't my fault.

I started when I was seventeen, and failed just before I came to Uni - would have passed if that kid hadn't stood up when he did. *grumbles*

I'm 18 and still haven't attempted to get one.

I have my learners solely for ID purposes. I find it IMMENSELY difficult to do more than one thing at once, which means I'd have to quit school for a year to learn how to drive.

1975: The year I learned to drive
(with your parents)

I drove a few times before 16, but only on our property. The day I turned 16, I went to the DMV and took my permit test, and I got all the questions right. That was less than a month ago.

Yesterday my dad had me drive up to his office in Albany, and it seemed like every idiot in the state was on the same road as me. I ended up behind some idiot going 40 on 787, where very few people drop below 60. Then when I was on I-90, where 70 is the usual speed, I got stuck behind another idiot going 40. Not a fun drive. And I almost got hit by about five different people in various places who weren't paying attention.

Got mine when I was 17. Was living in Germany before then so I couldn't get my permit at 15 (I think you had to be 17 to get one there) Got back to the states and took a drivers ed class that was offered at my HS.

And even after that, I didn't have sex in a car I drove.

I did...even lost it in the car I was driving (which was my parent's car). Station Wagons can be good for SOME things. :D

I started driving Quarter Midgets when I was 5 years old, moved on to racing karts when I was 14. Stopped all that when money dried up at 20.

Big cars with more than one gear, 16. Aced the test on the first try. The secret? Small town DMV that was in the Lions Club on Tuesdays, last test of the day. Went around the block, parallel parked (which I'm a ninja at for some reason, even if I can't spell it) and I was done.

EDIT: Didn't manage sex in the car until I was 20 as well. Then I got a tiny sports car that my girlfriend hated, so that ended sex in the car. I've had a VW Bus for a really long time, and despite all the bluster, no one has actually stepped up to do the deed in the back...




...dammit...

Got my license just so I could use it as an ID like Ferrous Oxide, but I just don't want to drive. I mean, it's convenient, but I know that I wouldn't be getting the exercise I am now. Walking for all the times that my mom couldn't take me paid off body-wise and honestly, I like walking. It's much less stressful than driving, especially in my area

I think I was 20 when I passed my test. It was another couple of years before I could actually afford a car, though.

I started driving around the farm when I was young (12 or 13) and took my driving test when I was 16. I also got my first car when I was 16, a 1986 Chevrolet Chevette that I paid $100 for. I worked the entire summer that I turned 16 to buy it because the only job I could get was picking strawberries for well under minimum wage. Luckily, when I turned 16 I could get a job that was actually legal and thus had to pay minimum wage.

So I'm wondering when you got your license and started driving, and if you have any interesting stories about driver's ed, the driving test, or driving in general.

First of all, don't be nervous about driving. It's natural. Actually, as a matter of fact, it helps if you have done some kind of driving-type excercise before, like bicycling. I asked my driver's training (behind the wheel) instructor about this, and she had told me that the better half of all people who have rode bicycles for a while were naturals.

As for driver's ed, I never took it... in class. I actually was able to get a booklet sent to me in the mail to complete and have my parents sign me off on.

While my siblings took a few times to get the driving tests right, I passed my first time on each. Even driver's training was easy for me... I mean, the only time the instructor had to do anything was when I was trying to move in a double yellow divider lane. I was even allowed to drive on the freeway in my second 3 hour session.

I've been in one accident, unfortunately, which tripled my insurance. It was because I had one hour of sleep for 3 finals and I (think) passed out behind the wheel. The only thing I can remember perfectly is hitting the damn car, and nothing before that.

Ooh, drive a stick first, as well. It's great to practice driving with.

I started taking driver's ed when I was 18 and got my license in the same year.

(18 is the legal driving age in Germany)

I can't be bothered. I can use the bus or the parents for everything at the moment.

August.

Can drive, don't have a license. Been learning since around 13, moving lorries around a yard for my dad. So I can bay-park perfectly, and it's a lot harder with no rear-view mirror. :p

I have, however, no reason to drive, so whilst I can drive a car, I know little enough for rules of the road. So whilst I could pick up the driving bit easily enough (haven't driven for years), the theory would take more time.

Oh, and Miss Chandelier - please tell me you drive a manual...

Oh, and Miss Chandelier - please tell me you drive a manual...

No, I don't.

Oh, and Miss Chandelier - please tell me you drive a manual...

What's so great about changing gears anyway? One less thing to think about while driving is bad?

What's so great about changing gears anyway? One less thing to think about while driving is bad?

It's more fuel-efficient for one, although I guess that's not a worry on that side of the pond.

It most certainly adds to the driving experience. Feeling yourself sink into the chair after a just-right gear change, listening to the car...it really does add to the driving experience. Gunning it down the M4 with my dad showed me that well enough.

I haven't gotten my permit yet because:
1. I don't have any need to drive.
2. I'm terrified of driving.
3. I'd be my dad's chauffeur.
4. I'm terrified of driving.

3. I'd be my dad's chauffeur.

There's a point. My dad has it in for me: as soon as I start driving, he wants to go to Cirencester (nearby town, family live there) to get completely and utterly wasted. Then I gotta drive him home at 3 in the morning.

4. I'm terrified of driving.

Don't be. Just remember to pay attention. I was terrified when I first took a car out with an instructor, it's not half as bad as you think it will be. The instructors are generally really nice, and take it slowly as you need to.

It's more fuel-efficient for one, although I guess that's not a worry on that side of the pond.

It most certainly adds to the driving experience. Feeling yourself sink into the chair after a just-right gear change, listening to the car...it really does add to the driving experience. Gunning it down the M4 with my dad showed me that well enough.

I think automatics are more common here though. And I'd probably be too distracted in a manual, anyway.

It's more fuel-efficient for one, although I guess that's not a worry on that side of the pond.

It most certainly adds to the driving experience. Feeling yourself sink into the chair after a just-right gear change, listening to the car...it really does add to the driving experience. Gunning it down the M4 with my dad showed me that well enough.

Ah, see I don't care about driving beyond "It gets me places".

I can't believe that that Ifreann quote is still in your sig, that was my fault too. :D

I got my permit on June 12th :D

I think automatics are more common here though. And I'd probably be too distracted in a manual, anyway.

Hm...and I suppose there's not that much worry for petrol over there either. How much is it over there now anyway? Around the equivalent of $1.90 per litre near where I live (Tesco does pretty cheap petrol).

RE: Dryks Legacy: I've seen very little worthy of my discerning tastes. But if it makes you feel better, I'll give you a credit in there too. :p

Dryks Legacy: I've seen very little worthy of my discerning tastes. But if it makes you feel better, I'll give you a credit in there too. :p

I don't care, I was just pointing it out.

I don't care, I was just pointing it out.

Meh, s'all much of a muchness, as my father says. Just haven't seen anything much worth sigging in my humble, more II-than-General opinion.

Hm...and I suppose there's not that much worry for petrol over there either. How much is it over there now anyway? Around the equivalent of $1.90 per litre near where I live (Tesco does pretty cheap petrol).

RE: Dryks Legacy: I've seen very little worthy of my discerning tastes. But if it makes you feel better, I'll give you a credit in there too. :p

I think the average in Florida is around $2.88 per gallon.

I think the average in Florida is around $2.88 per gallon.

:eek: Wow that's cheap! Over here it's usually around $1.20/litre ($US3.85/gallon)

:eek: Wow that's cheap!

Frying pan vs fire, unfortunately.

I still remember '97 (or was it '99? Oh well, around there) when gas was $0.99 a gallon... *sigh*

:eek: Wow that's cheap!

It's cheaper than the national average, but I might be mistaken about that...I'm not sure. But my mom has to get the midgrade or else the car messes up (that's the car I'm getting, since my mom will be getting a new car this summer), so it'll be more expensive than that for me. But I won't have to start driving it until I get a job or school starts, whichever comes first.

I think the average in Florida is around $2.88 per gallon.

Thats...pretty damned cheap compared to our prices. Pretty damned cheap indeed. No wonder you all drive automatics...;)

Gas costs something like $3.35 around here.

My folks didn't let me get a license when I was 16 because they didn't want their insurance rates to go up, and I didn't take a course because I was like "what's the fucking point?"

Even if I had a license, it's not like I'd have access to a car, ever. Or any where to go beyond range of the Metro.

I haven't gotten my permit yet because:
1. I don't have any need to drive.
2. I'm terrified of driving.
3. I'd be my dad's chauffeur.
4. I'm terrified of driving.

1. It's like insurance. Have it in case something happens and you need it.

2. That's good. Anyone who has no fear when they get behind the wheel doesn't understand what they are about to do.

3. You need the experience, dad doesn't. The kid with the least experience always drives. When you go 100,000 miles (200,000K) without and accident you can say you have moderate experience.

4. You're right. A car is a deadly weapon and anyone that forgets that puts everyone in danger. It's just like if you walked down the street and everyone had a gun. Some were so old they could hardly hold it. Some had no experience shooting. Some thought they were the greatest shot in the world even though they didn't have a clue. And some of the guns were old and rusty. Some had faulty triggers. The analogy could go on forever, but the point is, if there isn't a little fear those drivers are the most dangerous. They take chances that get people killed.

What's so great about changing gears anyway? One less thing to think about while driving is bad?

Mmmmmmmmm try driving my car. I'm disabled so my accelerator is on the steering wheel.

1as I'm considering having kids in a while
:eek:
Are you sure you're talking about you?!?!?!?!?
WTF woman? That must be some fella you're with.

:eek:
Are you sure you're talking about you?!?!?!?!?
WTF woman? That must be some fella you're with.

:p
He is, yes. It takes a lot to change my mind like that, but he managed. ;)

:p
He is, yes. It takes a lot to change my mind like that, but he managed. ;)

Well, I'm glad. You've had a pretty fucked up life based on what I've gathered from your postings here. Great that things are looking up.

Well, I'm glad. You've had a pretty fucked up life based on what I've gathered from your postings here. Great that things are looking up.

Looks like they are indeed. I'm a bit careful about trusting that yet (it somehow feels dangerous to be so happy), but it seems to be absolutely perfect atm.

Gas costs something like $3.35 around here.

My folks didn't let me get a license when I was 16 because they didn't want their insurance rates to go up, and I didn't take a course because I was like "what's the fucking point?"

Even if I had a license, it's not like I'd have access to a car, ever. Or any where to go beyond range of the Metro.

Insurance is the reason that I waited until this summer to get my license. My parents are paying for my insurance, but I'm going to have to pay for gas. And there isn't really any public transportation around here, so being able to drive will be helpful to me.

1981 I got my US drivers license at the ripe old age of 15....

brrrrr I am amazed I lived past 16....

People who don't know how to drive manuals don't actually know how to drive.

People who don't know how to drive manuals don't actually know how to drive.

How so? I see them do it all the time. Why won't anybody give a reason for why automatics aren't really cars other than "They just are!".

People who don't know how to drive manuals don't actually know how to drive.

LOLOL!!!!

How so? I see them do it all the time.

Put someone who knows how to drive a manual into an automatic. He'll drive it. Put someone who only knows how to "drive" an automatic into a manual. He won't drive it.

Why won't anybody give a reason for why automatics aren't really cars other than "They just are!".

I didn't say they weren't really cars. I just said that people who only know how to "drive" them don't know how to drive.

[QUOTE=Fassigen;12839531]Put someone who knows how to drive a manual into an automatic. He'll drive it. Put someone who only knows how to "drive" an automatic into a manual. He won't drive it.[quote] That's the truth. My mom taught me to drive on a manual car, and although it was tough the first few times, I can drive manual and automatic no problem. Yet, my dad's fiance, has only driven automatic, and she can't drive a manual to save her life.

Put someone who knows how to drive a manual into an automatic. He'll drive it. Put someone who only knows how to "drive" an automatic into a manual. He won't drive it.



I didn't say they weren't really cars. I just said that people who only know how to "drive" them don't know how to drive.

Shame thats not what you posted. Twice now. Do you see why few take you seriously?

What you could have said is that people driving automatics are loathed to drive manual transmission cars.

Not that people who drive automatics cannot drive. That is drivel.

Put someone who knows how to drive a manual into an automatic. He'll drive it. Put someone who only knows how to "drive" an automatic into a manual. He won't drive it.



I didn't say they weren't really cars. I just said that people who only know how to "drive" them don't know how to drive.

You're quite correct.

Which is also why I choose manual transmission on my PC driving sims (Colin McRae, etc.). I figure the shifting is pretty close to the real thing, since I have the wheel/pedal/shifter combo.

That said, I've yet to really learn how to drive. I'm hoping to get my license later this year... Once I can get a car.

Got the license at 19; aced it on the first shot.
Drove for three years.
Gave up car.
Got car again when I was 30, been driving ever since.

Got the license at 19; aced it on the first shot.
Drove for three years.
Gave up car.
Got car again when I was 30, been driving ever since.

Took me longer to get my UK license than my US one....I had picked up so many bad habits...3 times I took that poxy test!

I think the average in Florida is around $2.88 per gallon.

In NY right now it ranges from $3.09 (good luck!) to $3.69 (good God!)

In NY right now it ranges from $3.09 (good luck!) to $3.69 (good God!)

I can just imagine Stan's dad (South Park) screaming "OH MY GOD!" when he sees the $3.69 price tag. :p

You're quite correct.

Which is also why I choose manual transmission on my PC driving sims (Colin McRae, etc.). I figure the shifting is pretty close to the real thing, since I have the wheel/pedal/shifter combo.

That said, I've yet to really learn how to drive. I'm hoping to get my license later this year... Once I can get a car.
IRL you have a clutch to worry about, which is the source of most people's difficulties.

Most of the cars here are automatics. My Dad could teach me how to drive a manual if it was necessary, but we don't have a manual that I could learn from anyway, so at this point it's not really necessary. I'm basically just going to have to drive to school anyway, and that doesn't start until August. I just need to know how to drive an automatic, and it doesn't really matter to me if some people don't consider that to be real driving. It's good enough for me to get to school and not inconvenience my mom anymore.

I started driving when I was 15. Got my license at 16. Passed everything first go.

IRL you have a clutch to worry about, which is the source of most people's difficulties.

Heh, that's not really a problem. I always put my left foot on an imaginary clutch before I shift anyway.

Though it doesn't have a clutch, my pedal setup is still quite nice, as it doubles as rudder pedals for my flight sims. I can do some incredible stuff in a Bf-109 on Aces High II... Fighting three skilled opponents at once and defeating two of them before getting a wing clipped by the last, for instance. And yes, the clip was entirely my fault. :D

Heh, that's not really a problem. I always put my left foot on an imaginary clutch before I shift anyway.
Just pressing the clutch won't do it. You have to co-ordinate the timing between the clutch and the gas pedal, especially when starting.

Just pressing the clutch won't do it. You have to co-ordinate the timing between the clutch and the gas pedal, especially when starting.

Yeah, and what's so hard about that? I've seen my dad do it thousands of times, and I'm not exactly uncoordinated. I could probably pick it up in two minutes or less in a real car.

Just pressing the clutch won't do it. You have to co-ordinate the timing between the clutch and the gas pedal, especially when starting.

I used to practice holding the car still on a hill using the clutch and accelerator...really teaches you when the gears engage...obviously different when you are driving 'normally'...then its timing...and most cars are designed to be very forgiving...

I used to practice holding the car still on a hill using the clutch and accelerator...really teaches you when the gears engage...obviously different when you are driving 'normally'...then its timing...and most cars are designed to be very forgiving...

That's the first thing my grandpa tried to teach me. I phailed hard. Next lesson he pulls over his manual truck on the freeway on the way to Seattle and says "okay, drive." I was so scared, but darned if I couldn't drive a stick after that. Especially after dealing with Seattle traffic.

Shame thats not what you posted. Twice now.

"People who don't know how to drive manuals don't actually know how to drive."

Actually, that's what I wrote. Twice now.

Do you see why few take you seriously?

Do you see why people question your literacy?

What you could have said is that people driving automatics are loathed to drive manual transmission cars.

No, what I said was that people who only know how to "drive" automatics don't know how to drive. It's not a coincidence that where I live if someone does their licence test on an automatic, their licence will only be valid for automatics and not for manuals, while someone who gets a licence on a manual has a licence valid for both. Even the government thus agrees with me: people who only know how to "drive" automatics don't know how to drive, and are barred from driving most cars.

Not that people who drive automatics cannot drive. That is drivel.

It's drivel because that's what you imagined I wrote, not what I actually did write: that they don't know how to drive if they only know how to "drive" automatics.

It's drivel because that's what you imagined I wrote, not what I actually did write: that they don't know how to drive if they only know how to "drive" automatics.

If they get the car from A to B safely then what does it matter?

No, what I said was that people who only know how to "drive" automatics don't know how to drive. It's not a coincidence that where I live if someone does their licence test on an automatic, their licence will only be valid for automatics and not for manuals, while someone who gets a licence on a manual has a licence valid for both. Even the government thus agrees with me: people who only know how to "drive" automatics don't know how to drive, and are barred from driving most cars.


So even if someone can drive an automatic safely, they still cannot drive simply because they can't drive a manual? Nonsense. Like Ifreann said, if they can get from point A to point B safely, what does it matter?

People who don't know how to drive manuals don't actually know how to drive.

As far as I'm concerned, driving a manual car is like using a Pentium II; it's outdated technology used for nostalgia purposes, nothing else.

So even if someone can drive an automatic safely, they still cannot drive simply because they can't drive a manual? Nonsense. Like Ifreann said, if they can get from point A to point B safely, what does it matter?

It matters because most cars are not automatics. It's like people who claim they know how to dance, but instead can only do a few dance steps they picked up in one ballroom dancing class their mother made them attend - they can't dance, they can only "dance poor ballroom dancing". So, people who only know how to drive automatics don't know how to drive cars, they only - and, I repeat, only - know how to "drive automatics". Take their precious automatic gearbox away from them, and they'll be as stranded as the aforementioned "dancer" if you change the music to anything but ballroom.

I can drive like a demon, unfortunately I have difficulty with left and right, which essentially translates to my brain confusing the two. I can work it out but if someone was to say 'turn left', I naturally turn right. This leads to people shouting 'I said left, LEFT', causing me to panic slightly.

This makes me a danger on the road and hence no license.

As far as I'm concerned, driving a manual car is like using a Pentium II; it's outdated technology used for nostalgia purposes, nothing else.

Heck no! Driving a manual is fantastic. Drving can actually be fun.

As far as I'm concerned, driving a manual car is like using a Pentium II; it's outdated technology used for nostalgia purposes, nothing else.

Some advantages of a manual (obviously don't apply in all cases, but as a general rule):
- more control over the car for the driver
- changing down to overtake is quicker, and the driver can decide when it happens
- decelerating for a corner and changing down is done at the driver's decision, rather than an automatic deciding to randomly throw in a down shift
- it's easier to drive on loose or slippery conditions
- it forces the driver to pay more attention to what he is doing, and what is happening on the road ahead
- better economy
- better efficiency (i.e. more power transmitted through the transmission, not being wasted through a torque converter or through pumps)
- less expensive than an automatic
- less maintenance required
- they are lighter
- no cooling needed
- you can bump start a manual
- it's an actual skill to be able to change gear quickly and smoothly, and at the right time

The one benefit of an automatic that I can see?
- you don't have to bother learning to drive properly

I much prefer a manual, thanks.

IRL you have a clutch to worry about, which is the source of most people's difficulties.

Clutches are difficult?

Clutches are difficult?

The clutch is fine it's the kangaroo petrol thats the problem

*snip*
All very true. It also prepares you for a motorcycle. If you are already in the habit of shifting gears, it's one less thing you have to worry about. You can keep your attention focused on the traffic that doesn't see you.

I never wanted to learn to drive. I can walk everywhere I need to go.

I took driver's ed when I was 16. Got my permit and license in the same year. Always remember to enable your emergency brake when parking up hill!

I took driver's ed when I was 16. Got my permit and license in the same year. Always remember to enable your emergency brake when parking up hill!

Or, another advantage of a manual, leave it in gear when you turn the engine off ;)

I never wanted to learn to drive. I can walk everywhere I need to go.

Way to set your sights high, there.

Although over the years I've driven both kinds of cars, I still prefer the manual over anything else. And that will never change.

And while we're comparing gas prices...

In my hometown today, a gallon of regular costs between $6,80 and $7,06.

Way to set your sights high, there.

It just seems like an excess cost for no real benefit. The way the university parking is set up, I would have to walk two miles to my parking place. Which is retarded. Just because I live in the dorms I get treated as second class. I still have to pay for my parking pass.:mad:

It just seems like an excess cost for no real benefit. The way the university parking is set up, I would have to walk two miles to my parking place. Which is retarded. Just because I live in the dorms I get treated as second class. I still have to pay for my parking pass.:mad:

So the only places you want to go are within walking distance?

So the only places you want to go are within walking distance?

Makes sense if you live somewhere that you wouldn't need a car regularly. Why pay a couple of grand for insurance if it's not gonna be value for money

So the only places you want to go are within walking distance?
While I'm at uni yeah. I have to take 24/credits a term. I really don't have time for anything else. I can't take summers off either. I can get to my classes, I can get to the grocery store, that's all I need really.

I'm at uni too, and have to do a lot of work. Still, I love nothing more than getting in the car and going somewhere other than the neighbourhood and the places I see every day...

When I was younger, I deliberately didn't get my license so I wouldn't have to be the designated driver. Later on, I had no money for a car, and public transportation was fine. Then, I moved to an isolated, Northern town and walked everywhere. So, it wasn't until I was 26 that I finally bothered to get my licence. And frick. Now I drive all the goddamned time.

I should have stuck with my previous program.

When I was younger, I deliberately didn't get my license so I wouldn't have to be the designated driver. Later on, I had no money for a car, and public transportation was fine. Then, I moved to an isolated, Northern town and walked everywhere. So, it wasn't until I was 26 that I finally bothered to get my licence. And frick. Now I drive all the goddamned time.

I should have stuck with my previous program.

What you need to do is find a Muslim friend who drives, but can't drink when he goes out. That's what I did.