Am I making a bad choice here?

Question

I'm 16, got my L's in June and only done a few hours. After thinking about it, I have decided to put if off for a while as my parents said I don't need to drive yet and I'm just wasting my time learning now.

Is it true I can completely forget how to drive by the time I need to after I do all the learning early and putting it off?

Answer 1

You won't forget what you have learned (you will probably need to refresh what you have already learned, to pick it up again, but you will be more confident the second time around).

In saying that, however, if you leave it a bit, you will better know how to apply what you have already learned and you will appreciate why you do what you do, when driving; after taking a good, critical look at the way some of the other drivers (old and young) drive.

A good time to stay alive. I was dumb (it is natural and a part of growing up, to think that nothing will happen to you - unfortunately, it sometimes does) and I was LUCKY that I got away with some things that I did, when there was less traffic on the roads. If I tried to do the same things now, I wouldn't be writing.  In saying that, I learnt from those dumb times. You come to realise your own mortality.

Your parents, in saying that you are wasting your time now, probably mean that when you are an older driver, you will better know how to handle people doing stupid things and you will also be more mature in the way that you drive, generally.

Most importantly, you will be alive.

If you don't need it, don't worry about it, until you do.

Answer 2

I don't think you can completely forget how to drive, but every car handles differently. However, since you already have your L's why not keep using them - even if you think you are wasting your time your Learner and Provisional licences last for ages and you can continue to renew them until you do feel ready to drive.

Although you may not need your licence right now, next year you might. So many more opportunities are open to people who have their own licence and car. I would suggest that you get your licence as early as possible because you never know when you WILL need it.  

Answer 3

Forget what most 16 year olds don't know how to drive anyway so i would be more concerned that you won't be learning better driving skills than forgetting the ones you may have learned.  

Answer 4

I don't think it's a waste of time learning now but perhaps you have more pressing issues at the moment such as study. As already said we never forget how to drive a car but I would definitly say you will probably forget the rules of the road and would suggest catching up on that by doing the  " Practice Driver Knowledge Test ' on a regular basis.

Just in case you want to bookmark it

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/test...

Answer 5

Not at all. Learning to drive is like riding a bike, you never forget how.

Why put it off altogether though, you might not need to drive now but when you finish school and get a job or go to uni you will. So just take your time doing the hours. Do one lesson a fortnight, its still valuable driving experience. Don't forget your Learners does expire.  

Answer 6

the point in getting your l's now is so when your 18 you will be ok to drive its great you got them at 16 because now you have the time to practice and not rush. why do your parents think your wasting your time learning just yet?? do they want you to rush into it, and have you think your a naturally good driver and possibly have a prang.. i mean even experts crash. i say get as many hours as possible in and in all types of weather/traffic conditions

i mean after all you will be driving somthing that can kill somone if your stupid about it...

Answer 7

Well Dan, I just hope you don't forget the rules of the road. You really can't forget physically how to drive the car because you already know how to operate it. IF your going to put it off, you will need to warm up and drive it around the block to get use to the brakes and etc. Driving is a responsibility. You may be a good driver, but there are people having a bad day on the road and you just gotta watch out for them.  

Answer 8

Why not keep driving and logging up those hours?

So long as your licence is current there is no rule to say that you cant take a few years to get those hours up.

That way when you are ready to really drive the hours are all done and a couple of lessons with a driving school to polish you off and you are away.

Otherwise in say two years when you are ready to drive for yourself, you will need to start all over again and 120 hours takes a long time to complete.

Keep your log books up to date and safe. Enjoy your driving and pick a good & courteous driver to teach you.

Answer 9

You have got your L-plates, that was expensive, time consuming, why waste that,

If you get your P's and never drive again for the next 10 years, when you say okay I need a car now, (wife and kids arrived, perhaps) you than phone up to get insurance on the car, you can honestly say, I have held my licence for 10 years never been booked by the cops, and never been in a accident, your insurance premiums will be low.

On the other hand in 10 years time you tell the insurance company I'm a learner driver than you will pay more for your insurance premiums as you would be considered a higher risk.