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Any way to get past Driving License Requirement?

Does anyone know if you're able to get past the Driving License requirements for jobs?

To clarify I don't mean the ones that clearly need a license, but I keep seeing roles like barista in a cafe requiring a driving license, and no reasons why in the descriptions. Most jobs in my city are like this, sadly, among other things

I am considering a car at some point, but not having the money to get lessons, let alone a car, insane parking costs at student homes, and my horrible travel sickness, where I can't be in most vehicles for 15 minutes, is holding me back. Can't really get one without a job as I need a lot of money for it, yk?

My maintainence loan does cover the rent costs at the cost of not eating well. Though, the way my university spaced out rent in a way that is out-synced with loans means each semester I'll be going way into my bank overdraft until the next payment is in (if i didn't have a large overdraft I'd be screwed, which really has made me worry for others), which is fine but I don't like the uncertainty of that situation so I'd prefer to have an income yet this is making it incredibly hard. Plus I really miss being on my feet like I was during my gap year
(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

Actually, while anyone's here, could I also ask how to navigate the whole summer issue?

Student accommodation ends late march, and loans don't cover the summer (obviously). Lets say I get a job but don't have enough to have accomodation for the whole break so my only option is to go back to my home town, what do I do? I can't just leave and get a new job every year, not only is that tedious but it's rude as hell to whoever employs me... but I'm a little lost on how to go about it
Original post
by small-drug
Does anyone know if you're able to get past the Driving License requirements for jobs?
To clarify I don't mean the ones that clearly need a license, but I keep seeing roles like barista in a cafe requiring a driving license, and no reasons why in the descriptions. Most jobs in my city are like this, sadly, among other things
I am considering a car at some point, but not having the money to get lessons, let alone a car, insane parking costs at student homes, and my horrible travel sickness, where I can't be in most vehicles for 15 minutes, is holding me back. Can't really get one without a job as I need a lot of money for it, yk?
My maintainence loan does cover the rent costs at the cost of not eating well. Though, the way my university spaced out rent in a way that is out-synced with loans means each semester I'll be going way into my bank overdraft until the next payment is in (if i didn't have a large overdraft I'd be screwed, which really has made me worry for others), which is fine but I don't like the uncertainty of that situation so I'd prefer to have an income yet this is making it incredibly hard. Plus I really miss being on my feet like I was during my gap year

Driving licence requirements like that are because they want you to work shifts that fall outside public transport hours. Ignore the requirement, apply for the job and sort it out if you get an offer.

I'm not saying it's easy, but you just have to manage your money and smooth out the incomings and out-goings. You can support your Student Union if the Uni really has a fee system that is badly out of sync with grant payments, because that's just shooting themselves in the foot. But make sure you aren't making a series of sub-optimal decisions, expensive accommodation, high food costs, not working and not going home in vacations (if you can do that).

Most students will go home in the summer and live rent-free, but not everyone has that option. Many retail jobs understand that move, and you can switch from High street store in uni town to the same store in your home town. So you may have to price up - home for free but no work, or uni town with a job, but paying living costs.

By the way, travel sickness is very unusual when you are the driver of the vehicle. The fact that you control the vehicle gives your visual/balance system the split-second pre-cognition it needs to avoid creating the disturbance that causes travel sickness.

Reply 3

Original post
by threeportdrift
Driving licence requirements like that are because they want you to work shifts that fall outside public transport hours. Ignore the requirement, apply for the job and sort it out if you get an offer.
I'm not saying it's easy, but you just have to manage your money and smooth out the incomings and out-goings. You can support your Student Union if the Uni really has a fee system that is badly out of sync with grant payments, because that's just shooting themselves in the foot. But make sure you aren't making a series of sub-optimal decisions, expensive accommodation, high food costs, not working and not going home in vacations (if you can do that).
Most students will go home in the summer and live rent-free, but not everyone has that option. Many retail jobs understand that move, and you can switch from High street store in uni town to the same store in your home town. So you may have to price up - home for free but no work, or uni town with a job, but paying living costs.
By the way, travel sickness is very unusual when you are the driver of the vehicle. The fact that you control the vehicle gives your visual/balance system the split-second pre-cognition it needs to avoid creating the disturbance that causes travel sickness.

Ah, I see... I've been avoiding applying to those with that requirements out of worry it'll be seen as me not reading the job description properly or blatantly ignoring it which may come across as disrespectful 😞 but I don't think I'll get anywhere if I keep doing that, so I'll start applying

My hometown is small and most of the jobs available where my university is are very likely not available there, considering it's a major city, so I guess I'm one of those unlucky sods lol. I want to try my best and get a job soon so I can afford to stay up by my university, as the thought of not doing anything for a summer honestly depresses me though, but I have to wait until I get a job and my first paycheck to work out if it'll be doable by summer. I'll have to check if my old job would mind me working there for the summer if I do have to go home...

Thank you for your reply, it's helped me think a little more clearly over the anxiety over it all. And I really hope you're right about the sickness!! I can't stand staring out the window when in a car

Reply 4

Original post
by small-drug
Ah, I see... I've been avoiding applying to those with that requirements out of worry it'll be seen as me not reading the job description properly or blatantly ignoring it which may come across as disrespectful 😞 but I don't think I'll get anywhere if I keep doing that, so I'll start applying
My hometown is small and most of the jobs available where my university is are very likely not available there, considering it's a major city, so I guess I'm one of those unlucky sods lol. I want to try my best and get a job soon so I can afford to stay up by my university, as the thought of not doing anything for a summer honestly depresses me though, but I have to wait until I get a job and my first paycheck to work out if it'll be doable by summer. I'll have to check if my old job would mind me working there for the summer if I do have to go home...
Thank you for your reply, it's helped me think a little more clearly over the anxiety over it all. And I really hope you're right about the sickness!! I can't stand staring out the window when in a car

For the jobs that do there's no harm in just sending an informal email/call to ask if driving is a specific part of the job or what the deal is, as @threeportdrift says for some hours and locations public transport isn't really an option and the employer knows this from experience and prefers a driver. Esp for some retail/cafe jobs where they might want you to open/close the shop or even come out at night due to alarms/keyholder etc, they'll really want a driver for that. (just as an example)

I second the driving sickness thing too, I've never got sick that way in my own vehicle. It's kind of like scraping your nails down chalkboard, it makes other people uncomfortable but not the person doing it as they know they're in control of the sound.
Original post
by small-drug
Does anyone know if you're able to get past the Driving License requirements for jobs?
To clarify I don't mean the ones that clearly need a license, but I keep seeing roles like barista in a cafe requiring a driving license, and no reasons why in the descriptions. Most jobs in my city are like this, sadly, among other things
I am considering a car at some point, but not having the money to get lessons, let alone a car, insane parking costs at student homes, and my horrible travel sickness, where I can't be in most vehicles for 15 minutes, is holding me back. Can't really get one without a job as I need a lot of money for it, yk?
My maintainence loan does cover the rent costs at the cost of not eating well. Though, the way my university spaced out rent in a way that is out-synced with loans means each semester I'll be going way into my bank overdraft until the next payment is in (if i didn't have a large overdraft I'd be screwed, which really has made me worry for others), which is fine but I don't like the uncertainty of that situation so I'd prefer to have an income yet this is making it incredibly hard. Plus I really miss being on my feet like I was during my gap year

Obviously some jobs deffo need a licence.
But with jobs like baristas, you obviously dont need a licence to do the job.
The only reason i can think of is the location of the place you are applying. Is it somewhere rural or not near a bus route etc?

Reply 6

Original post
by Emma:-)
Obviously some jobs deffo need a licence.
But with jobs like baristas, you obviously dont need a licence to do the job.
The only reason i can think of is the location of the place you are applying. Is it somewhere rural or not near a bus route etc?

Nope... in the city center, which is why I'm so annoyed by it, haha. It's pretty common here for some reason. The transport is surprisingly reliable here too, I wasn't used to not having to leave 2 hours early due to silly transport times at first.
Original post
by small-drug
Nope... in the city center, which is why I'm so annoyed by it, haha. It's pretty common here for some reason. The transport is surprisingly reliable here too, I wasn't used to not having to leave 2 hours early due to silly transport times at first.

Oh right. I have no idea why then.
Id still apply though. And if you get an interview then explain that you dont drive, but let them know you have plenty of optioned regarding public transport. Even put that on your application if you can.

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