Is it normal for a 21 year old to not have a car or license yet?

65% Normal
13 Comments

I grew up poor during my teen years. My mom got rid of her car that was constantly leaving her stranded even within the city. I didn't really learn how to drive as I was growing up. At 20 I got my permit and now it's expired and I still don't have my license and I can't get a job to afford having a car. Am I doomed to keep riding my $150 Schwinn bike from Target until my 30's? I'm always seeing people my age and younger with cars, some of them are new. It gets me down :(

Voting Results
65% Normal
Based on 135 votes (88 yes)
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Comments ( 13 )
  • CrazedAndConfused
    14 years ago

    It is more normal now for younger people to not drive, I think. I was in foster care and it was not allowed that we be taught to drive by our foster parents, ( or so we were told by the case worker). I am your age and still do not know how to drive. It is never too late to learn though, and if you don't want to for what ever reason, screw it, take a bus.

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    • cooldavid
      14 years ago

      I think a bike and bus is a perfectly good way to get around for most errands as long as someone can drive when you want freedom to do something fun. Its not so bad for girls because when you go out on dates the guy is probably going to want to drive anyways. You can always pick out a guy who likes to drive because he takes pride in his ride.

      Long term, if you live in a city (or in Europe), the key is to be close to transit and you'll never need a car. My ex didn't learn how to drive (until I taught her), she was from a dysfunctional family and they never helped her. A bunch of my friends are carless. One never wants to drive a car. Also, a friend who works at the coop just gave up his carbon emitting vehicular monstrosity and now walks to work or takes the bus.

      Of course whenever we picnic, or to ski, or the beach they all want to ride with me :-)

      If you don't live somewhere with good transit, I guess you better save up and get a clunker when you can afford it. With the car, gas title fees, insurance, and maintenance, its not cheap!

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  • dontlookatme
    14 years ago

    Cars are the among the most despicable inventions in history. Because of cars, society has evolved to be set up to require cars. If it was not for cars, we would not need cars. Be carless and be proud!

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    • BrianPomona126
      14 years ago

      Lol. It's not convenient to ride a bike though. During the hot summer months last year when I was working at a restaurant, I was told that I wasn't allowed to start working in front of customers until I cooled down. I would literally be dripping sweat on the computer screen as I clocked in. I would start my work day already exhausted just from getting there. Then after a long day of work, I'd ride over to the grocery store if I needed to, to get food for me and my mom and carry it back on my handlebars. The sad part is that by this time she could afford a cheap car but chose to let me keep killing myself doing everything while she stayed home all day everyday. I did this for about 3 years. She ended up getting a car right after I moved out with my girlfriend. The only reason being because she didn't have her slave to do everything for her on the bike anymore.

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  • matahari
    14 years ago

    I turn 21 in less than 3 weeks and I still don't have my license or car yet either. At the DPS office there are a lot of people over 21 waiting in line to get a road test. Your situation is because you used to live in poverty and can't afford insurance. Don't worry about it. A lot of people can't afford insurance either. Especially with the effed up economy. You'll learn to drive one day. But it's not bad to keep riding your Schwinn. It keeps you fit and helps out the environment. Once you get a steady job you could invest in the whole be lazy and pollute the ozone layer by driving a gas emitting vehicle trend everybody seems to follow.

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  • 1000yrVampireKing
    11 years ago

    Those people probobly got cars from parents or family. If your parents are poor as well you poor too that would not be an option. You might not have had the luxury of being given a free car at age 17, 18.

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  • Dempsy
    12 years ago

    I only got my learners so I could buy beer!!! So I could have I.D. haha but now being 20 I have bought a vehicle and honestly it's nice to have a car but when you have a car you spend more money.. :( But being drunk all the time because I can go and get booze so easy still leaves me walking alot of places which is fine by me!! :D

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  • sjshp
    13 years ago

    Yep, even tough i live in holland and you have to be 18 here it is normal if you ask me. My history teacher was 30 when he got his.

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  • Gidget
    13 years ago

    At least ur not poluting the air with ur bicycle

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  • Capricornie
    14 years ago

    You're inner city right? It is much more common for people in a city to not have a vehicle.

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  • zombie
    14 years ago

    Don't worry :) I failed the license written test 5 times in a row when I was 15 and now I'm a cyclist. With 1/10 money of an average car's cost, you can buy a real fancy bicycle. It's healthy, economic and reducing global warming and stuff. I feel really proud of being a cyclist. BE a CYCLIST!! XD

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    • BrianPomona126
      14 years ago

      Haha well being a cyclist sure has it's advantages... but it's not good when you need to get a couple gallons of milk from 3 miles away, or when you arrive at work already exhausted and have to take on 8 hours, then having to ride back home when you barely want to stand anymore. Throwing in 100 degree weather or a thunderstorm into any of these situations doesn't help either :(

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  • GLITCH4L
    14 years ago

    It's just drivers license, how weird could it get. definitely normal.

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