ok so, I feel very ashamed and lazy because I'm kinda scared of getting my drivers license and driving in general.
alot of my friends have been in accidents, a couple of them died and I just have this..trauma when it comes to driving.

why do you guys think it's so imperative for young people to drive these days?
being that I'm 19 years old, it's embarrassing when nearly all my friends are drivers and I'm the only one still coping rides from my rents.
it's alot more freedom and all..but I just feel terrible, I took the driving test once and failed ( damn parallel parking) and I'm just....gah so confused.

i really want to drive because i'm sick of asking my parents to take me somewhere. and i can go anywhere i want, really. it gives me more freedom to do things.
not everyone passes on their first go. just takes lots of practice. you'll get there some day. a lot of my friends failed on their first go, but they got it on their second. ^^

it's essential if you don't want to ask for rides everywhere

recommend you take driving school.

its not that big of a deal and its expensive. if you dont mind bumming rides and taking the bus then just go with that

i guess its only essential if you have a car to drive. Now that I attend college, I don't get to drive unless I'm home for break. When I'm home, it is essential since I need a way to get to places and hanging out etc. I guess it all depends on how much you go out and if you have a car or not.

it's more convenient to know how to drive...public transports just and don't have to ask your parents to drive you around...

I think it's essential. You don't always have to rely on your parents because sometimes, they have other things to do. You're 19, you can take the handwritten test and then get your license. After that, you should take driving training and drive with your parents if you're scrared or whatnot. I just recently got my license = freedom. But I know i'll be lazy soon, haha.

It really depends on where u live for example if u live in london there really isnt a need or in hong kong really as public transport is sooo good, but if your like me and lives in the country then hell yeah because to do things u have to drive everywhere!! However im at uni and dont have a car but it hasnt done me any harm as i just walk, its prob better for me anyways

I find it essential if you have places to go excluding school. If you have a job then you need a car.

Its totally fine if you don't have your license. I didn't get mine till I was 20.

But I see it as useful if you want to go to places.

Since you live in D.C., I suggest you either walk or take public transportation to get to places as it will help your health and the environment. If you live outside of D.C. up in the suburbs, I recommend taking driving lessons as I have seen how people drive. They do not drive any better than the people in Virginia.

driving is fun, if you enjoy it then do it. 19 isnt that bad of an age not being able to drive, just shotgun lifts with ya mates, then you can drink etc and like not have to worry about driving drunk =).

hmm not a big deal that u dont have license but its better to get it since u have a fear of driving
im scared of drivin too.. but it gets ok after a while..
more u drive more confident u are
drivin is pretti safe if ur not doing nething stupid... other then that its prob bad luck if u encounter bad drivers.... but yea if u dun get ure liscense now its just goin to get harder later on... so my advice do it now~! ull be thankful later

Buy a Vespa LX or a Piaggio Fly 50 and all your worries will go away. Personally, I'd take the Vespa. I'm actually going to buy a black or a red one in a couple of weeks. No need for a license either, as long as it doesn't exceed 50CC. Just pay for insurance. Which I'm sure won't exceed $150 a year, and with 80mpg you'll only be spending $10-$20 a month on gas, maybe not even that.

I drive cus my parents are busy & they can't take me everywhere & even when they're not busy, I don't have to bug them for rides. It also allows me to go where ever I want to go. Plus I love driving.

But then again, I live in CA & our public transportation is pretty crappy.
Since you're in DC, can't you take public transportation?

I'm facing the same problem here except in my case my parents don't really want me to drive nearly as much as I do. I'm nearing 18 1/2 years old and I've only had a handful of lessons, and still no license. Also, my parents aren't willing to give me a car any time soon. I do think that it's important to have a car because I go to school, and then in the evening I'm also taking extra classes so I'm always depending on my parents or my auntie to give me a ride. If you have a trauma you shouldn't rush yourself but should slowly take lessons so that you'll feel more comfortable. I'm sure your parents are understanding, but seeing that you'll soon be 20 years old your inability to drive will soon become a burden to all that provide rides for you.

I hope you figure things out and get over your fears!

Depends on where you live.
I live in a mid-size city with NO public transportation so it's much more convenient to drive.

i'm only 17 years old and i've been driving in 16 years old.
having a car makes it so much more convenient for me to do everything.
i don't have to wait for the public transportation that takes forever to come
nor for my parents to come home after work.

i'm in many extra curricular activities all over the places for school & out side of school plus work on top of that
and i also take an extra class in the morning at school

so having a car overall has it made it pretty convenient for me and my parents.

i lost my car for a month and i honestly almost died from not having one.. it was such a horrid month.

if public transportation is good where you live, that'll suffice. but if it sucks like here; then you need a car.
as for your perspective on driving, it all takes practice.

If you're planning on getting a job and going to school at the same time, driving will be helpful unless you're totally fine with taking public transportation. When I first got my license, it just added a whole new meaning to freedom lol. You also might want to go to driving school, it helped out alot when I first started, once I started practicing how to drive everyday it made the fear go away.

=*= my college is in this place, where I consider the transportation is super bad.....
Anyways, driving is good ++ having your own car means you can just go wherever!!
It's much more convenient!!!

T0T I have to wait for the bus, or college shuttle or either begging my friends to drive me out....
That's fine.. since I only come to US to study..

At home, my parents forced me to learn how to drive since I was 15, but they never let me drive even I'm 18 now.
aha...They didn't let my sister drive either, and my sis is 26 =="
So, I mostly drive my friends' car... keke++ My parents never found out... (I hope!!)

This summer, I will ask them if I can take the driving exam to get the license....... ^^

I love to drive... if you get a nice car then you will love it too... I dont care what car I drive as long as its not something that will embarrass me.. and then I love to drive..... get a bike.... its even better

I would not recommend getting a motorcycle. You won't understand how dangerous it is in a car accident so a bike accident almost always means death.

Driving opens up doors to a whole new world. Before driving, I wouldn't even touch New Jersey. Now I go there all the time like it's my home. The upkeep is alright. It's not too bad.

hey im 18 and still on my Learners plate .__. and i drive relatively well.
i don't see it as really essential for me because its not like i really go anywhere besides school, which i'll catch a train and bus.
but i do ask my sister & parents to take me to some places.
my parents are always like "don't you feel embarrassed? so and so has their P's/licence already" and i'll be like "pft no? caring for them"

i actually don't like driving to tell you the truth. that and i can't be bothered to. i have like 117 hours to go. i guess it would be essential just so you have the knowledge of actually knowing how so that in the future when a situation happens to come up, you can drive.

you can always use public transport if its more convenient. yeah i understand some people can be traumatized. i kinda was after being in a couple of accidents. but as long as i'm the one being a responsible driver and being alert then i'll be fine.

driving is fun... but if ur scared, then just focus on the road, and drive slow, if people are tailgating and speeding pass u, who cares. when u get used to it, its not bad, i have to drive around a lot so yeah.. be cautious of everything that happens around u.

oh and its essential if u dont wanna ask other ppl to give u rides

accidents will always happen.. not just car accdents but in general... but you cant let fear run your life. if youre gettin a license sooner or later, i'd say sooner the better, for it is easier to learn when youre younger. its really not that hard, nor serious when you get used to driving. dont let fear of driving get to you(my mom is kinda like that). and like subie said, driving courses do help. well good luck!

i recemmend you to take your driving license~~~~
coz its essential~~~
bt f u prefer public transport..than dats fine~~~
i hv my driving license right afta my 18th bday..0.O

you're not alone. I'm pretty scared to drive esp with other ppl in the car they just give so much pressure. >_<. I haven't drove since I got my license......xD

everyone has to do things on their own which makes sense to own a means of transportation

A couple of your friends died from automobile accidents? O_O I guess I would be scared if that happened to me too... Sorry about your friends. Anyway I was scared of driving as well but once you just keep going at it it gets easier and more fun... I love driving on the interstate 5 on a nice day (when there's no traffic X_X) >_< Anyway I hope you get around to driving - it's a lot of fun

driving is fun. dangerous and fun at the same time.
but if you live in a city where its not really necessary, then don't drive. SAVE GAS !!!

Just get more practice with an instructor/parent with the parallel parking or other weak skills you have.
Practising is the only way to improve your driving skills and gain confidence!

i dont 'know about you but its essential for me to drive..

i do too many things at school and at church..for my dad to take me everywhere...

its crazy

i learned to drive because i didn't want take public transport anymore. it's dangerous at night with the drunks and i find it more efficient if i have to do chores. i also don't want to depend on a guy, or anyone, to drive me places. it's a good idea just to get your license to have it there, you don't necessarily have to drive. that's me right now, going to school in another town so no point in me driving : )
don't feel ashamed though because none of my closest friends drive so guess who drives them around?