Disclaimer: I’m not from the US.
As a student in a relatively large-ish city, I’ve been doing fine with public transportation. I’m not particularly interested in driving because of (no particular order):
- environmental impact (in part mitigated by EVs)
- ‘severe’ ADHD; I would never be relaxed driving
- safety; I don’t trust other drivers to follow the rules properly
Should I still get a driver’s license sooner than later?
In my opinion, it would be convenient to have one just in case there’s an emergency (hopefully not) and you hypothetically would need to drive to resolve that emergency. I would personally get it even if I’m not planning on driving any time in the future, just in case.
A future job might require it. Depends a bit on the type of jobs you are looking to do in the future.
It might be easier to learn to drive while you’re young. And even if you don’t need a car, there’s still times you might want to do carsharing or rent a car for a short while. Or your situation might change and you might move to somewhere where public transport doesn’t stop near your place. I’d personally do it, but it’s entirely possible to live without, in your current situation.
Yes.
But I grew up in a city where existence was effectively impossible without a car, so when I say fuck cars it comes with a very sober realization that the system will punish you for trying not to drive.
You can minimize cars in your lifestyle but until we can get systemic change that lasts, we will always have to work in the system we have.
Are you currently located in the US? I think getting a driver’s license in the US is unfortunately necessary because of all the car-dependent places that there are.
Literally first line of the post
Disclaimer: I’m not from the US.
I think having it on the CV looks good, but in a big city it is otherwise unnecessary. I can use public transport to get everywhere I need.
I have driven maybe 20 or so times in the seven years I’ve been car free. I do all I can to avoid cars, but sometimes it’s very convenient to be able to drive, whether to give friends a break on a road trip, for work, or in case of emergencies.
This might be different in your country, but driver’s licenses are the main form of ID where I’m from, and not having that can cause minor issues. That being said, if you’re fine without one and don’t feel comfortable driving anyways, you shouldn’t feel pressured to get one.
As the other comments suggested, getting a driving licence even of right now you don’t need it is a good choice for the future. You might decide or be forced to move somewhere where not having a licence, so not driving, might be impossible for day to day life.
Also, since you are a student you have probably more to time to prepare for the exams, so I’d suggest taking it soon.
It can’t hurt, but then again, I know a couple of people who have let their licenses expire because they never drive anywhere, and they seem to be doing fine.
im in the UK. I didn’t get my license until I was 30. Just take your time, you’ll be Ok
I currently live in the very definition of downtown in my city. There’s no parking spaces and nothing. Everything is within 10min walk. But I still value my driver’s license since I can rent a moving van when I move apartment or if I need to get some new furniture in IKEA.
Having a driver’s license opens up opportunities even though you don’t have a car. I’d say go for it if you want to spend the money.
It’s a good thing to have if you will ever in the rest of your life need to drive anywhere.
In some parts of the world, a driver’s license is another form of ID, so it may be worth it to get it.
Sometimes it’s also a peer pressure thing, if everyone around you is getting their driver’s license, then you may feel pressure to get it.
