28 Aug 2019

Getting your licence is one of the ultimate signs of freedom. You don’t have to be dragged around the shops with your mum, you can leave awkward family events whenever you want and you’re completely in charge of your own schedule.

Then why did it take me so long to learn to drive?

I was always told getting your licence is a must and apparently improves the quality of your life (figuratively, not scientifically of course). Well first, I call bull because my bank account is begging me to stop paying for repairs, rego and petrol now that I have my license. But I was doing just fine without my licence. Sure, life is a little easier when you have a licence and car, but I was never in a rush to get my Ps. Here’s three reasons why.

 

1. I always had mates who had their P’s

I was the last one of my mates to turn 16, so naturally I was the last for everything - licence included. By the time I could get my Ps, all my mates already had theirs.

For me, that was perfect. I was always able to snag lifts off of them after school, they were the deso for parties (thankfully I could focus on getting absolutely lit) and they were always the ones picking me up for a late-night Maccas run.

Of course, I knew I was a huge burden on the group since I didn’t have my licence. But I made repayments when necessary- pitching in for petrol, washing their cars and even purchasing crisp air fresheners to spruce up the ambiance. I simply just never had the need for a licence when my mates were always willing to act as my chauffeur.

2. Public transport was readily available

I only ever needed a licence for desperate circumstances. By desperate, I mean sleeping through my alarm and realising that I’m either late for school or work. Other than my poor sleeping pattern, I was truly blessed by the fact that public transport was so readily available.

I moved around quite a bit during high school, but my lucky stars were aligned. A brisk 20-minute walk and I was either at a bus stop or train platform. Though public transport does have its hassles, especially delays, I can safely say that I do not miss being squished up against strangers. But it wasn’t so bad when I didn’t have my licence. And walking kept me fit, which is always a bonus, right?

3. I was straight up lazy

Honestly, there is no one to blame besides myself. I was lazy when it came to getting my licence. I failed my L’s once and didn’t go back for six months because I was embarrassed. I neglected proactively racking up my hours driving, arguing that I simply had no time because of school. But in the end, I was the sole reason why it took so long to get my licence. And if you’re that friend who is yet to get their licence, this is the reason why too.

It’s time to get our shit together, rack up our hours, book driving lessons and prepare for the driving test. It’s time to stop relying on our mates or on a temperamental train timetable and put in the effort to get your licence. And when you’re handed that shiny, new licence you’ll think back and wonder why it took you so long to get it in the first place because you can finally take on the road all by yourself; screaming along to your favourite songs.