The Student Room Group

Stopping driving lessons

Hi there,
I’m 17, my birthday is in May I recently decided to start driving lessons in September. My instructor is honestly so calm and lovely, the lessons aren’t too tedious but I don’t really have any interest in learning to drive. I wanted to just ‘bash it out’ but it’s costing me a lot more than it expected as the hours I work have gone down since summer. The cost of lessons will mean that it’ll be pretty much the only thing I’ll spend my money on, and the fact that it’ll take me almost a year of this just really puts me off. I have plans for travelling on a gap year, festivals I want to go to, a tattoo to save up for as well as starting uni in 2026. I don’t have the need for a car atm- everything like sixth form, friends, etc. are walkable or I use public transport a lot. I didn’t intend to buy a car as well as I couldn’t afford it, I was just going to learn and pass when I could. But with year 13 pressures, coursework, employment and hanging out with my mates, it makes me stressed that my money is/ will be drained on something that could potentially take me 12 months or more. My dad told me not to start until I wanted to in the first place, and that I should live life whilst being young whereas my mum just said it was up to me. Stopping them feels awkward and like i’m lazy/ a failure but honestly I think it’s just a bit too much for me at the moment. Any help?? Anything is appreciated x
If you want to 'bash it out' you could go for an intensive driving course, maybe ask friends and family for Christmas and birthday gifts of money to help pay for it. If you really have no interest in driving and have no need to currently, then leave it for now and learn when you want/need to. I grew up in the middle of nowhere so it was godsend when my friends learned to drive and could pick me up to go out but if you have reliable and regular public transport where you are fair play. If you have no need to drive and have other things you want to use your money for then you do that, driving can wait. I still don't drive and probably never will now but my husband drives me everywhere I need to go.
(edited 4 months ago)

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