Learning to drive...is it worth it as seen a lot of iasuses on here

Jason91 said:

Is it worth me even trying to get a car

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Being type 1 (or insulin dependent other types) and driving does have complications but many people do drive successfully, @searley drives much larger vehicles too

As to whether it's worth it, well it opens options. It can be cheaper for commuting. But in sone parts of the country there is good transport links that mean you don’t need one

it’s a very invividual choice.

what are your concerns?

Jason91 said:

Is it worth me even trying to get a car

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Yes, as it will make you more self reliant.

I got my driving licence when I was 18, and bought my first second hand car a year after that for about $1000.00.

I have never looked back for job opportunities, or having to rely on public transport all of the time.

Jason91 said:

Is it worth me even trying to get a car

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Diabetes shouldn't factor into any decision you make about whether it's "worth" getting a car. (In my humble opinion).

Unless you live and never leave a city, unless you like being on public transport, then yes! Is it trickier than for “normal folks”? You betcha! But you got lemons, make the best dang lemonade you can bruv.

Hi @Jason91

Interesting point

I'd of said a few years deffo.

But I have been reading how many of the younger age groups ( all Inc non diabetic) are considering not bothering

Self drive, the clamp down in bigger cities of non conforming cars etc, the rise of E- vehicles ( e- scooters E- bikes)
meaning electric may replace ICE in short order

So should you still try...?

I'd say yes, for all the above reasons.

But I'd certainly try to be aware of the prevailing conditions and direction of how we actually drive.

Best of luck on the test.

Jason91 said:

Is it worth me even trying to get a car

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Oh hell yeah.. Get a valid licence first though..

My current job involves driving a builder's tipper truck. Nothing like the beast @searley drives.

I've toured Europe with a band, toured Europe with my wife.
Got somewhere private in the car park on a lunch break...
I love my Jap imported "day van."

Don't let your diabetes hold you back.

It does depend on what you require or expect from entitlement to drive & associated vehicle ownership too?

Riva_Roxaban said:

Yes, as it will make you more self reliant.

I got my driving licence when I was 18, and bought my first second hand car a year after that for about $1000.00.

I have never looked back for job opportunities, or having to rely on public transport all of the time.

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My first motor was 600 quid. Then got a Bedford CF van for £400? Lol, lived in it for 3 weeks as a student when I screwed up the accommodation changeover dates.

I feel it's great to learn some (at least basic.) maintenece too.. (Know what's under the bonnet.)
Sometimes it's quicker to get it running yourself than wait for breakdown cover..

A little like being T1.

Jaylee said:

Oh hell yeah.. Get a valid licence first though..

My current job involves driving a builder's tipper truck. Nothing like the beast @searley drives.

I've toured Europe with a band, toured Europe with my wife.
Got somewhere private in the car park on a lunch break...
I love my Jap imported "day van."

Don't let your diabetes hold you back.

It does depend on what you require or expect from entitlement to drive & associated vehicle ownership too?

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My main reason was employment, the ability to get to work on time was first of my priories. Slept in the back of my first car several times after too many beers at a party.

I have forgotten how many times I have driven around Australia either working or recreational,

To cap it off, I have never let the medical problems I have, to hold me back from either working or driving safely at the present time.

Get a licence, get a life.

I guess you mean is it worth it when you have diabetes and you are on glucose lowering medication or in a position where your driving is likely to be restricted/affected? If the answer to your question was yes BEFORE you got diabetes then it's yes now in my opinion. Same with anything else, should having diabetes stop us from doing normal things?, I say no, you just have to factor in any diabetes associated issues.

Jason91 said:

Cheers all just worried about costs ect

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Being a diabetic using insulin should not cost any extra than it would cost someone who doesn't use insulin, but yes it may not be cheap for anyone, especially if young

Jason91 said:

Cheers all just worried about costs ect

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Apart from the costs of the the car, whether brand new or secondhand, car insurance and rego are the most expensive of your yearly costs, maintenance and servicing is getting more expensive each year, followed up by weekly fuel costs to get from A to B.

If you are a T1 diabetic the insurance will most probably have a surcharge on it for sure.

Jason91 said:

Cheers all just worried about costs ect

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Then if it's simply costs...

I'd say there are some options, but a downside with each

Car & running costs.

Buy a newer car:
probably get better reliability, probably
..but fixing it may be a more specialised task beyond the average driver

Buy an older car:
potentially less reliable, potentially

But may have more areas that can be fixed by the average driver .

I'd recommend joining a forum, most car brands even models will have an enthusiastic owners forum, full of helpful advice
( Had windows unit fail on a vauxhall..
cost £ 170 for the unit
Forum owners explained how to open unit, and check ball bearing..fixed for pennies & a little of my time...learning how to fix things, very rewarding mentally & cash wise )

So basic servicing & some DIY can go a long way to reducing the running costs & a cheaper older model is likely to cost less to insure*

*Model, cc, ins group, etc can have a Great impact.

Got a car ( been driving over 45 years) after a few years car free ( motorcycle) so NCB lapsed

Had used cousins car, Mazda 626, wanted to buy similar, but ins group placed that way out of my price range, so selected cheaper model to insure to get my ratings back up

So insurance can be moderated somewhat, but age is always going to define a higher cost, sadly

Black box in car limits mileage, records data, can reduce ins cost ..might be of use in the early years of driving.
Some insurers offer different schemes to the norm, monthly - daily, all more expensive but may be of some use.

Small note, don't assume TPFT will always be cheapest, fully comp can sometimes be lower, weirdly
always check comparison sites
found for same car conditions etc,
Price ranged from £200+
To £1000+...eek


But while I would always agree a licence offers greater freedom, it's a fact we are in for very changing times transport wise over the next 5 years or so

So worth taking stock, but I'd say, get the test done, and once you've passed ..going to be months, anyway, I would suggest.

then see how the car market is shaping up v your personal situation money wise

I doubt driverless cars will be a thing for many years, so a licenced driver will still be a requirement.

E vehicles will likely drop in price,
and ice cars may well sell more cheaply, as people are persuaded/coersed into trading up

So much to ponder once you pass.

Jason91 said:

Is it worth me even trying to get a car

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There is no reason why you shouldn't I have hgv which is more strict

The only issues you will have

Renewing license every 3 years
Regular blood tests for driving. Or cgm
NO hypos needing the help of other during your 'awake' hours

So if you want a car it's worth the little extra effort