Do you have a driving licence ...
By Valentin
@wmraul (2552)
Bucharest, Romania
March 23, 2012 3:45pm CST
... or plan to try to have in soon future? Why? Why do you need that, why would you want to get one?
I had pass the full route to get one in 1983, while I had been before that date involved in car races - but because I was underage at the time, I could only be the "passenger" (we are calling that "the radar guy" while guy main job was to read to the driver from a copybook about the route - speed to race, what's next and so on).
So as soon as I come back from army service, I gone to driving school and perform ok and grab my driving licence.
But .. there is a but .. I have speed sick. I mean I love speed. I crash several cars, several times. It become clear for me I am a threat for both others and myself, and I think twice and get the conclusion that most probably I will never buy a car my own .. and need not one .. so I go to police and ask them to cancel my licence in 1985.
So, I have not anymore a driving licence and need not one.
How about you?
5 people like this
26 responses
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
24 Mar 12
In my mind, i want to. lol. I am always amazed by those ladies who can drive... but i do not think i am capable of that - i panic! lol plus i have eye problems.
1 person likes this
@kedralynn (980)
• United States
24 Mar 12
It took me a long time to get my license. I was in my 20s. I have an anxiety disorder and would have panic attacks when driving. My best friend had been in a bad car accident and told he'd never walk again. I was scared of that. Plus everyone in my town drive like maniacs. So it took me time to get comfortable driving. I still get a little nervous sometimes but thankfully have not been in an accident yet.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
24 Mar 12
Good advice from stowyk. Avoid also use the car in bad weather. It will be enough just a slight side slide of car and failing to control it right away will also induce stress and panic.
Similar do not drive if you got some medicine.
But if you like to drive (as a hobby), just try to find a place with zero traffic (or very few and very rare) and .. do it 
That will also increase your driving experience and also will make you be more sure of yourself, postponing panic and stress situations.
That will also increase your driving experience and also will make you be more sure of yourself, postponing panic and stress situations.@kedralynn (980)
• United States
25 Mar 12
Yeah they gave me pills for the anxiety but I can't drive on them cuz they make me drowsy. Kind of defeats the point! I try to avoid driving in the pouring rain too. I have more confidence and I think I'd be ok, but it's very dangerous. Especially since everyone in this town drive like idiots in the rain! I take little trips here and there to help me get more used to it. Once in a while I try taking a new road that I haven't driven on before and learn the lights and signs so I won't be afraid to drive on it anymore :)
@kedralynn (980)
• United States
24 Mar 12
Yes I try to avoid driving when I am feeling the anxiety because I know I won't be as focused and will probably freak out and definitely get in an accident!
@tonyllenium (6252)
• Italy
23 Mar 12
yes probably you did the right choice for you and others...anyway i have a drivinglicence but now i don't drive the car so often but i think in normal life you need one especially in some situations..
@tonyllenium (6252)
• Italy
23 Mar 12
no aily i won't drive a car such as go to work i use train and public transport so i use car moreoftn during the week-end usually..
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
24 Mar 12
Well, tony, pay close attention .. unused skills are going slowly down into forgeting ..
Try to compensate the lack of daily practice somehow, driving is a very complex activity which require training and EXPERIENCE ...
To drive is not at all to start engine, change gears and spin the wheel .. Driving is 90% reflexes, which comes with the training and experience/usage.
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
24 Mar 12
I didn't and don't have a driver's license but I did have a learner's permit s seven years ago. I took a driving class during summer vacation after graduating high school and have been practicing. But then in college, I tripped at a very bad roadwork (really bad, my classmate also tripped in one) made by the water authority after their pipelaying projects and I had a very painful muscle sprain. It took a while for my leg to recover so I wasn't able to practice anymore. Our car is very old and it's no longer suitable for a student driver like me. I'll just take a refresher course whenever our family gets to buy a new car.
I do admire you for being responsible and initially canceling your license for safety issues. 
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
24 Mar 12
Thanks. I wasn't able to walk well without bandage during those times but it's all better now. In my country, we can apply for a license even without a car.
In my country, we can apply for a license even without a car.
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
24 Mar 12
I have a car which someone sold me for $100.00 but never had a drivers license in my life. I have studied the driver test thoroughly and been praised by drivers instructor on having the best parallel parking skills he's ever seen, but just can not pass it even after 3 tries. I think its because of fear because I see all those other drivers on the road doing stupid things and it scares me. When I get out of here, I'm going to some nice place that I can walk to all the places I need to visit.
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
24 Mar 12
@ Wmraul. Thank you for the advice I will keep those things in mind.
@ JohnRok1 My dad managed to find it from a good friend he works with. He and my mom both work for Ford so know who to go to. The car was drivable at least when I got it, but not exactly perfect though.I believe my dad had worked on it some before handing it over to me.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
24 Mar 12
hehe, cupkitties, .. been there, done that.
That fear is the biggest problem in your life as a driver.
Simply do not think of their mistakes, is not important what they have done, what matters is what they can do and what they will do. Anticipate what they can do.
Simply treat ALL others around you as they will FOR SURE do mistakes and find for yourself the SAFE way trough !!!
Al others drivers on the route are NOT your partners to a better traffic.
They're all "the enemy". Each and any can anytime do unexpected moves. Anticipate and play safe, but not be tense. Simply think before and act accordingly. Stay calm and do not rush over. With the time and experience, all will become reflexes. Have you notice, planes pilots experience is quoted in flied hours. Drivers's experience is measured in kilometers made with a car ..
@sherrybelle (707)
• United States
24 Mar 12
I just renewed my drivers license. I don't own a car at this time but I like to have a license because sometimes I need a photo ID.
I also like to rent a car when I want to travel. I'm a very careful driver and I have a lot of experience driving before I sold my car.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
24 Mar 12
Yes, in my state, you have to get it renewed too. They want people to renew their licences because there are some people who get into accidents or have other problems, and the renew process is indication that the state is covering their back.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
24 Mar 12
Yes, I do have a Driver's Licence, but then again, where I live, most people have to have one.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
24 Mar 12
No, where I come from, people have to have a Driver's Licence. In the State of California, in the United States of America, it is mandatory that you have a licence if you are going to drive, and seeing as how the majority of people in this state love their independence and they love to drive, they get their Driver's Licence as soon as they can.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
24 Mar 12
Have to have, need to have and ENJOYING to have, that's 3 different issues ...
Often first 2 are why out there on street are so many aggressive or unstable drivers ... I do hope you like to drive and is not just another somethingyou hate but life force you to do it ..
Driving is like painting or writing poems 
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
24 Mar 12
I am a safe and careful driver, do not like to speed. I need my license, we work too far away to walk and do not have public transportation. I think you are pretty smart though, to cancel your license if it was getting you in trouble.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
24 Mar 12
Clearly, having a driving licence and a car is a must in your case. well, ok, almost anybody can claim need a car to go to work in order to avoid public transportation ... Yet as you say there is none, obviously you put the licence to a good use 
.
Good for you you drive careful and safe, trust me, despite I am a speed lover, I KNOW that speed is unsafe ... Was to much to work with myself and stress to change my habits and was safer and easier to simply gave up. I can live without driving, yet I love to drive ..
.
Good for you you drive careful and safe, trust me, despite I am a speed lover, I KNOW that speed is unsafe ... Was to much to work with myself and stress to change my habits and was safer and easier to simply gave up. I can live without driving, yet I love to drive ..
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Mar 12
hi wmraul so you had the courage to cancel your licence.Smart I guess
but I thought driving race cars made a driver a more careful driver in modern traffic. But you do not have a car you do as I do , you either walk or take the bus. I do not drive nor do I own a car. So I use the ac cess bus to take me to drs appointments and anywhere else I might like to go.I am 85 and now forced to use a walker so the bus drive helps me up the steps. all are so kine.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Mar 12
typo alert did not s ee it in time should be all are so kind.
not kine.darn. sorry.
@ckciasigurl (2081)
• Italy
24 Mar 12
hi wmraul!
i had my license by the age of 19 years old i went into a driving school, and ive got my non professional license, im very happy that i have a license even thought i don't have a car, i asked my dad why he enroll me and to have my driver's licence even though i don't have a car he told me that soon ill be having a car and also it is one way to have an identification card.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
24 Mar 12
I keep hearing this "diving licence is THE identification card" ... WTF, we here have a ID card since we are 14 years old. Everybody in my country got an ID card as soon is 14, no exceptions. Sure, later, you can show, instead of ID card, the passport, but never the driving licence ...
Well, before you'll have your own car, see some friend who have one and allow you to drive it for fun ... or go together in some long distance trip and offer to drive some parts of the way ... or simply rent a car, if available and affordable
Pay close attention, driving is a skill which you forget in tie if not used. And driving require tons of experience doing it.
At least find some driving game and use it (like Need for Speed old variants but "drive" from driver seat ..)
Pay close attention, driving is a skill which you forget in tie if not used. And driving require tons of experience doing it.
At least find some driving game and use it (like Need for Speed old variants but "drive" from driver seat ..)
@safety69 (592)
• Taiwan
24 Mar 12
Right now I dont have a driver licence , but , I used to have , it just that its expired , its an international. I live in another country so, I have to take the writting and driving test again, Well, I will love to pass them and get my driver licence, this way, I can drive legally in this country, I ve been driving without one for almost 3 years now. I really need to get one so , I wont get in trouble, also , I need to drive to take my kids to school. So , I see it as a necesity right now, not as a hobby. have a good day my friend.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
24 Mar 12
Oh, jeez, do all efforts and get the darn thing, stop driving without, specially if you have to transport kids.
I tell you, I have had avoided harsh accident and smashed my own car into a tree because of another one driver mistake and lucky me I still had my licence coz darn idiot run away from there and I had to face the police ... even it was not my fault at all.
It does not matter how safe you drive, there come a lunatic and hit you and .. you are the one in trouble ..
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
24 Mar 12
Never had a driving license caused I really never know how to drive.I do like to learn how to but no time at the moment but I do hope that I could learn in the near future.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
24 Mar 12
Is not as complicated as rocket science, yet is not quite simple ..
But with a good teacher, you can learn basics of driving within 10-20 hours of driving (2 hour courses everyday).
But you can try to deal the issue - just for fun - playing Need for Speed or other driving simulator games - but one is allow you to run the virtual car from driver seat, not from top-back-3'd-person position ..
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
23 Mar 12
I do have a drivers licence and I have a little car but I really admire people who can survive without one, I have a couple of friends who jus grab their backpacks and either walk or cash a bus, tram or train, they are probably a lot healthier doing this.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
23 Mar 12
Hahaha, you are so right. Car makes you dependent, rip you from that walking-to-home .. Surrounding universe is limited to inside the car and cease to be in contact with real world out-there - well, except those cases when you have an "little" exchange of "urban language" with another driver ... Well, learning slang is optional, isn't it ? 
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
23 Mar 12
I do not have my driver's license yet but I will be getting it soon. I guess you could call me a late bloomer. I really had no plans to get one this soon, but I know I need to. My first plan was a bit more dangerous.
I am a good driver, maybe not the safest yet but I do know to be safe. I do like to speed, but I also slow down in areas I don't need to.
I think that it's good you've realized you may not be the safest driver, but instead of not having one at all you could have gone to take a course in driving. It may not have been available then, but it may now.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
23 Mar 12
Cool, you'll be a driver soon
My advice is to mechanically make your car be unable to go above a certain speed.
Ah, then and now, here is like everywhere - you go to a school (theory and practicing driving on special location or, after a time, on streets, together with a "teacher"). So, I also used o go to that classes and make courses. But I learned to drive in racing conditions and I love speed. Anything bellow 30-40 km/h (20-25 miles/hour) is snail-trap for me ... 
I had drove every now and then during the time, despite I had no more the licence ... I tried to get used to run slower .. to much stress 
My advice is to mechanically make your car be unable to go above a certain speed.
Ah, then and now, here is like everywhere - you go to a school (theory and practicing driving on special location or, after a time, on streets, together with a "teacher"). So, I also used o go to that classes and make courses. But I learned to drive in racing conditions and I love speed. Anything bellow 30-40 km/h (20-25 miles/hour) is snail-trap for me ...
I had drove every now and then during the time, despite I had no more the licence ... I tried to get used to run slower .. to much stress @bellis716 (4799)
• United States
25 Mar 12
I have had a driver's license for many years. In a small town USA, it is a necessity. My husband was career military and was frequently deployed. This left me alone on the home front. I not only had to take care of the business we jointly cared for when he was home, but we had 2 children who had to be taken to the doctor, etc. There was no public transportation then or now. We are now retired. Our children are living many miles away and our adult grandchildren are even farther. Nearly 2 years ago when it was time for my husband to renew his driver's license, he willingly surrendered it. Because of physical problems, he said that he didn't believe that he could still be a safe driver. If I couldn't drive, we'd be at the mercy of friends and neighbors.
@nytrisco (567)
• Philippines
25 Mar 12
I got my driver's license when I was 19 years old. My license is very useful because it serves as a key to drive and also serves as a government ID. I am also hungry for speed, in expressways I want to push the car to the limit though I keep in mind my safety.
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
23 Mar 12
I have had one by the age of 18, as I got some classes and lessons from a driving school given to me by my grandmother, who volunteered to buy me them. I still didn't get the hang of driving though and now to this date would prefer not to do the driving as it gives me alot of anxiety and I always think I'd be a lousy driver, etc. so I avoid it like the placque.
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
23 Mar 12
Oh, but I love to drive !!!
But also know few people in same situation as you - they know how to drive, they have a car, they have licence but .. they prefer to let someone else to drive while they say they hate and feel under to heavy stress.
As one of my friends long a go said: Is not easy to handle 3 pedals with only 2 legs, while both hands are to deal with at least other 3 things ... 
Do I understand correctly? You have drove cars before getting the licence?
mwuahahahahahahhaha welcome to the club 