[Lily]

I was reading my usual feed of motoring news when I came across something interesting: people are learning to drive later in life. A lot later. 🤔

Back in the day, it was common to get your driving licence as a teenager, but it seems that more people aged 25+, 40+, and even 65+ are now taking their tests. That might be down to the cost of owning a car, relying on public transport for longer, and a bunch of other life factors.

I’d love to put together a post full of tips and advice to support older learner drivers, and I need your help to do so:

What advice would you give to someone learning to drive later in life?

Share your best tips and thoughtful advice in the comments.

[Drivingforfun]

On top of health issues, I think the cost of insurance put me off learning until I was 23. I remember working out at the time that, for the amount of times I went out, I could pay for a taxi and not even use half of the money I'd spend on insurance

What that didn't take into account was that the insurance is a fixed cost and once the car is in my possession and all paid for (for a year) I'd go out a hell of a lot more... I guess it's a case of blissful ignorance / not realising what you're missing out on

[Rolebama]

It seems that as we get older, the ability to learn something new drops off and we are left with a shallower learning curve. So my advice would be to try to not rush it and be more patient with yourself.
I would add that the financial burden can be a bit heavy for a new driver, and it can be surprising just how expensive it can be.

[Drivingforfun]

I don't know how well it translates into driving, but when I was at school I remember them going on about different learning styles - visual, aural, copying and such... there were 6 I think

I was a "questioner" i.e. I'd experiment/challenge everything - definitely the case into driving - fortunately in the case of driving "challenge" only meant verbally - not by actually testing!!

[olduser]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

I don't know how well it translates into driving, but when I was at school I remember them going on about different learning styles - visual, aural, copying and such... there were 6 I think

I was a "questioner" i.e. I'd experiment/challenge everything - definitely the case into driving - fortunately in the case of driving "challenge" only meant verbally - not by actually testing!!

"Not by actually testing!!"
That follows passing the test, it' s called experience. ☺

[olduser]

I think a rough rule of thumb is one lesson/ years old but Beelzebub will know better.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by olduser

I think a rough rule of thumb is one lesson/ years old but Beelzebub will know better.

It's not often I hear that!

I' know about that that "rule of thumb", but I wouldn't rely on it. I certainly wouldn't suggest just 17 hours for a 17-year old!

As a broad generalisation, I'd agree that younger students tend to learn more quickly, but there are huge variations and I can recall many exceptions, at both ends of the age range.

BTW I wouldn't recommend

[Drivingforfun]

What would count as a lesson? I had about 3 or 4 hours with my parents learning to just pull away (my mum said it'd be good to learn that beforehand rather than waste paid lesson time learning clutch control) then about 10 hours of professional lessons before I felt ready... but also during that time had about 5 times that in "driving hours" where I'd practise but not necessarily learn anything new

[Rolebama]

@Drivingforfun I think learning to drive is a continuous lesson. I notice things like the churned up bit of earth om the grass verge where the deer cross, so I am more into looking through the gaps in the hedge for them. Not the best example, but I hope you get my drift. So I can pretty much guarantee you picked up something in your jaunts.

[Drivingforfun]

@Rolebama that's very true. It's a common trope that we "never stop learning" but it's probably a trope because it's so relevant.

I find you pick up body language - for want of a better word - whereby you can anticipate what other cars will do irrespective of their signals (or lack of)... a bit like you can do with dogs if you're a dog owner

[olduser]

I was taught to be sure my cars body language was correct for what I was doing to assist other drivers.
Eg. If signaling left then car should be over to the left.
As you suggest if a car is well driven in that respect signals are not necessary.
But these days many cars swing the opposite way before actually turning, I assume either too lazy to turn the steering wheel or trying to make the turn too fast to save changing gear.

[Drivingforfun]

@olduser I came to the realisation early on that driving is about making yourself as predictable as possible. There are lots of times/places in life where being surprising is a positive or useful trait... but in driving you don't want to be extraordinary...you want people to be able to read you!

[olduser]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

@olduser I came to the realisation early on that driving is about making yourself as predictable as possible. There are lots of times/places in life where being surprising is a positive or useful trait... but in driving you don't want to be extraordinary...you want people to be able to read you!

Very nicely put @Drivingforfun, if I could stick a gold star on your post I would.

Be predictable, all the time, is the key to safe driving.
To do this, means thinking of those around you, and in driving terms that is a bounty that never stops giving.

Re Gold star - would you settle for giving out the pencils in the morning?😊

[Rolebama]

For years I have seen the majority of cars turning right on a rat run onto the wrong side of the road. Then I got a job that meant I had to turn right out of that side road. I have to admit I saw the humour in the way they panicked when they realized they were heading toward the front of my Transit, which I had bought with that situation in mind. Over a period of 4+yrs the amount of them who hit the garden wall on the corner must have exceeded 100! I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall as to their dealings with insurance claims.

[olduser]

Well, the wall moved of course.😏

[Rolebama]

Well, the wall used to follow the curve of the road, but it was damaged so often eventually the owner did move it. See:
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5857...oASAFQAw%3D%3D
I can't screenshot and upload pic.