I have never been able to learn to drive. I attempted it when I was 17 and found it really difficult, ultimately having a meltdown, getting out of the car and walking home. I've always been quite fearful of trying again although it's been at the back of my mind and I've often had a vague thought that I might try again.
A few years ago I took my theory test and passed. I then arranged a week's intensive driving lessons that I chickened out of at the last minute. The anxiety was too much. I think I decided at that point that I'd probably never learn. I think the issue for me is that there's too much going on during driving - there's so much sensory input and unpredictability that to sit behind the wheel of a moving car just feels ridiculously risky.
I actually struggle to be in cars as a passenger, unless I'm with my wife. My family, particularly my brother, used to give me stick about not driving. When I lived in a city I cycled everywhere and it was never really an issue. I now live in a rural area, two miles from the train station, a mile or so from the bus stop. I work from home so don't need to get anywhere and I'm very self-contained and don't feel isolated particularly.
With all my nephews and nieces driving I sometimes feel a little inadequate that I don't. Then I read that over a quarter of the adult population doesn't drive and growing numbers of young people aren't learning.
I know driving is one of those things that some autistic people really struggle with and others find they're really good at.
I'd be interested to learn about other peoples' experiences of driving and how they find it. Are there any other people like me into middle-age and still a non-driver?
