Why Should I Learn To Drive? | driveJohnson's Driving School (2024)

Most people are excited about turning 17 as it means one thing – they can finally learn to drive. With the freedom that driving brings, young people are usually keen to get started. However, some people are not sure whether or not they should learn to drive, and others who are a bit older might think they have left it too late. It’s never too late to learn to drive and driving opens the door to a world of opportunities and a sense of independence. We’re here to give you a low down of all the reasons you should learn to drive and tell you the many benefits that come with learning to drive.

Reasons why you should learn to drive

There are many reasons why you should learn to drive and a considerable number of benefits that come with having a driving licence. A study carried out in 2017 showed that only 30% of 17-20-year-olds held a driving licence and 67% of 21-29 years olds. So why are so many people choosing not to learn to drive? One of the top reasons for not learning to drive was the cost of learning to drive. While it is not cheap, it is an invaluable skill for life and is something worth investing in, even if it means saving up for a while.

Benefits of learning to drive

If you’re currently sitting on the fence about whether or not you should learn to drive, have a look at some of the benefits of learning to drive that we have picked out.

1. Freedom

   Being able to drive and having a car brings a sense of freedom like nothing else. No more relying on taxis, public transport or even walking, no more waiting around for lifts from friends and family members. You can take yourself wherever you want; whenever you like, the world is your oyster. Think of all the trips you can plan with your friends, visiting new places and going on road trips at the weekend.

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   Not only will driving improve your social life, but it’ll also significantly improve your day-to-day life. Whether it’s school, work or running errands, having a car makes everything easier and will save you time. Think of all the times you’ve missed the bus, it’s been late, or you’ve been waiting for a taxi, say goodbye to that.

   

2. More job opportunities

   Having a driving licence is an appealing skill for many employers. For some jobs, such as being a delivery driver, having a licence is required, for others, it is simply preferred. Many jobs will require you to travel into an office every day and even travel for meetings, without a licence this is going to be extremely difficult.

   Imagine you’ve applied for your perfect job, the job description states that a driving licence is preferred but not a requirement. You’re up against someone who has got a driving licence, who do you think is going to stand out the most? Don’t miss out on securing your dream job because you never got round to starting your driving lessons. With a driving licence, you open the door to many new career paths; you could even train to become a driving instructor.

   

3. Skill for life

   Once you’ve learnt to drive, it’s a skill you will have for life, a bit like riding a bike, once you’ve learnt how to do it you don’t forget. Learning to drive may take some time and be quite costly, but you’re investing in a skill you will probably use every day and in something that will open you up to many new opportunities.

4. Sense of responsibility

   With driving and owning a car comes a new sense of responsibility and increased maturity for many young people. Driving requires a certain level of control and discipline; you have to learn to stay in control and focused on the road. You will also need to learn to respect and be considerate to other road users; you are not only responsible for your safety but also the safety of other drivers. For many young learners, this will be a new way of thinking and may change their outlook.

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When should you start learning to drive?

In the UK, you can start learning to drive as soon as you turn 17. We think the earlier you start your driving lessons, the better. If you have the money to start learning to drive just after your 17th birthday, then we recommend you get started! You can even ask family and friends for driving lesson vouchers for your birthday to give you a bit of a head start.

It’s easier to learn to drive when you’re young as it has been shown younger brains learn things more easily. Younger people also tend to have less fear which makes it easier to learn. The cost of learning to drive can be a deterrent for many young people, but if you’re living at home with a part-time job, it’ll be much easier to save now than it will be when you’re at University or recently graduated.

However, it’s never too late to learn to drive. Whether you’re 17 or 70, our driving instructors are experienced in teaching people of all different ages and a range of abilities.