Why I decided to get my driver’s licence in my 30s

Getting your L-plates in your late teens, clocking up many hours with your scared mother in the passenger seat, until you finally earn your P’s, before finally graduating to your full licence. For many of us, this is a familiar story but what if you hadn’t of gone for our permits during those teen years? What would have life been like?

Take my friend Josie, for example. We worked together in Sydney, and at the time we were both on the early breakfast shift. While not driving in Sydney isn’t that unusual, our employer at the time paid for parking during that shift, and the 6:30am start meant driving was the easiest option. Given I had my car, and she lived 5 minutes away from me, we could carpool every morning, and every afternoon. However, I was the one driving because at the time Josie didn’t have her licence.

It’s not from a lack of effort that Josie only got her Ps this year though.

“I went for my Ls in 2001 when I was 16, but it took me until I was 34 in 2020 to go for my Ps test,” she explained.

“So I had been learning to drive on and off since 2001 but it wasn’t until I was pregnant that I knew I had to get my Ps. That being said, I literally got them a week to the day before giving birth.”

So why wait so long? Why not get it over and done with at 16, like most of her friends were doing?

“When I first got my Ls, my mum refused to teach me because my older brother had been so hair-raising to teach, I think she had a mild form of PTSD after that experience,” Josie added.

“I only saw my dad every second weekend and he drove a manual and 16 year old me couldn’t be bothered with that... in retrospect I wish I’d just learned with him!”

Josie said she finally learnt to drive with the help of her brother, once he got his full licence.

But after moving from Newcastle to Sydney, Josie always lived close to public transport, and with the invention of Uber, she never felt a huge urgency to continue to learn, or to go for her Ps. “Plus learning to drive in Sydney sucks,” she added jokingly.

So what’s the biggest change Josie has noticed, now she has the freedom to jump behind the wheel anytime she likes?

“My Uber bill is non existent! It’s just really convenient to be able to jump behind the wheel when I want to go somewhere or get something instead of thinking about buses or making my partner chauffeur me around. I really enjoy the independence and freedom!”

As she mentioned, having only gotten her P plates a week… that’s right A WEEK… before giving birth to her first baby, Josie added she wasn’t instantly comfortable with the idea of driving alone, and it’s something she’s taking her time getting used to.

“I was super nervous driving to my midwife appointment the day after getting my Ps, even though it was about five minutes from my house. It’s strange to suddenly be by yourself in the car.

“I had a C-Section too, which also set me back a bit, as you’re not supposed to get behind the wheel for six weeks after. I drove a bit before that, but always with my partner in the car. It wasn’t until he went back to work that I drove by myself again and then I had precious cargo to think about too!”

Josie confirmed however, that it doesn’t matter how old you are when you get your Ps, there’s still always one tricky aspect of learning to drive that will still make you nervous.

“Parking really freaks me out! The driving part is fine, but parking on a busy street, I won’t be able to do that for a year I don’t think. I’ll find a side street and walk further,” she laughed.

“There’s a silver lining though. I have so many appointments, and I am driving every day. I think even by the end of the week I’ll be a different person! Practice makes perfect.”

So what does Josie think about being more mature when it came to getting her licence, and how does she feel it contributed to her overall journey of becoming a driver? Would she recommend it?

“Being more mature had its pros and cons,” she said.

“I think it definitely made me a cautious and sensible driver, but it was also a barrier because when you’re a teenager you feel invincible, you crave freedom and independence and just want to hit the road.

“When you’re in your 30s you’re very aware of your own mortality, life is precious and you know how many idiots are out there on the road. It made me a bit more anxious when I started learning again as an adult, but you just need to remember to watch the road, keep an eye on cars around you, and be cautious when you’re unsure. I think I’m just really aware now and probably wouldn’t have been if I were 17 and hooning around Newy!”

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