I've been meaning to post this thread ever since one of our new members openly expressed disappointment at her scheduled driving test being postponed a few weeks ago.
In response, I was equally open about the fact that I am ... I suppose ... one of that rare breed among the male species - in, at least - who ISN'T licensed to drive a motor vehicle of any kind. My reasons for this are already well-documented in that particular thread ... so I shall refrain from boring the
off anyone who has the misfortune to stumble across *this one!
Suffice to say *here ... that - with the exception of my 93-year-old aunt - I'M now the ONLY surviving close relative from the many [immediate] family members over the age of 18 who DOESN'T hold this "passport" to the highways and by'ways of my native land ... instead, having to choose between - and, indeed, rely upon - either 'Shanks' Pony', or Public Transport of one kind or another to indulge my penchant for getting about. In the interests of my own safety - and to avert the prospect of my wife becoming widowed for a second time - restrictions even apply to the use of my beloved pedal cycle ... lest my advancing deafness causes me to have a serious and/or fatal accident due to the ever-increasing volume of traffic on today's roads.
So ... purely for the sake of curiosity, you understand... I'd like to know how many other members of the masculine gender on here find themselves in the same situation as myself ... i.e., feeling as though they are some kind of "freak" from another planet - simply because, like ME, they don't drive!
hi arthur
Originally Posted by mikey73
I actually went the length of taking out two 'provisional licences' - 30-odd years apart!!! The first was in 1964 ... when my father offered to teach me - having previously taught several of my cousins [successfully!]. Back then, he'd a Ford Anglia - NOT the easiest car to manage - and practically every time I switched on the ignition, the engine stalled. "Kangaroo petrol", i seem to recall it being known as! Rolf Harris would've been amused at my inadvertent attempts to emulate his country's native animal. 
Patient as my dad was, the air often took on a distinct bluish tinge ... and there were even occasions when he and I nearly came to blows 
. Eventually, it was decided I might be better learning with a professional instructor ... and I duly enrolled for a series of lessons from the great-aunt of a friend of mine. Alas I fared no better there either ... in spite of the car being a dual-controlled Morris Minor ... an altogether more sedate vehicle, - and the "polar" opposite of my dad's high-powered saloon in terms of its infinitely more easily-operated clutch and gearbox.
of starting again from scratch.
... so can I, Mikey!
women. Unlike in my parents' - and earlier generations' - day when pensioners paid half-price ... and travel was restricted to one's own geographical location ... the concession covers the length and breadth of Scotland. 
May this year, marks the next set of Elections to the Scottish Parliament. And if a certain political party [Lib Dems, I think!] win a sufficient number of seats, rumour has it that the Bus Pass could be curtailed to the extent that travel for Senior Citizens might no longer be free nationally. The reason? To help provide additional funding for students ... so that THEY can pay less in tuition top-up fees. Grrr! 
... lucky for some, eh!?
- this WILL be the case, Stewart! 
, i would get rid of the car if i could and replace it with a little run around.
... for what 
- as if it were "the most NATURAL thing in the world to be able to do"! I've seldom had any bother with WRITTEN exams ... putting words on paper ... that sort of thing. And I'm even fairly competent with most DIY tasks - like home decorating, carrying out basic electrical wiring jobs around the house and such like. But driving? 
For some obscure reason, I just never seemed to've got my head around it! 
