Invariably, when I tell someone I don’t drive, I end up being asked why. I figured a website might save some time explaining things.
To start with, many of my friends in high school learned to drive because they desired freedom and to get away from their home/parents. I had the dubious fortune of being a geek with a dad I got along with during my teenage years. I spent most of my time on the computer and didn’t feel the need to get away. By my senior year when I did care to go hang out with friends regularly, most of them drove, so I could always get a ride to where ever we were going.
After graduating from high school, I went to college where I lived in the dorms my first two years, then moved into an apartment near campus. Since 90% of my waking hours were spent on campus, I didn’t feel the need to learn to drive then either.
Since graduating from college and getting a real job, I haven’t had any strong desire to change how I live and get my license. Partly because I’m obstinate (for the last 10 years have had people attempting to convince me that I’m wrong), and partly because I never enjoyed driving while learning and I don’t have a desire to revisit the experience.
Having never had more than a permit, and never been behind the wheel more than 20 hours, I’ve learned to live with my decision and even identify some benefits. I’ve saved quite a bit of money by not having a car payment, car insurance, or paying for gas. A lot of times I’ll walk and take MAX to places that others would just drive, which reduces the impact I have on the environment.
In closing, I want to clarify that I don’t think this is the choice that everyone should make, or that many people would. I only ask that my decision be respected.