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This post will help you figure out when you should get your driver’s license.
While we’re passionate about the life-changing benefits of driving, we’re also aware that, for various reasons, it can’t be a priority for everyone.
Related: 6 Benefits Of Driving (Why You Should Learn To Drive This Year)
Some people should get their license ASAP (as soon as possible), while others can afford to put it off for a more convenient time.
So, which category do you fall in?
In this post, we’ll walk you through 8 questions to help you decide.
How Soon Should You Get Your Driver’s License?
1. Can You Afford It?
Driving is an investment which means it’ll cost you both money and time (which we’ll talk about next).
So the first question to ask is: can I afford it right now?
But you won’t be able to answer this question accurately without first doing your research.
Here’s what you need to know:
- What are the requirements for getting your driver’s license where you live?
- How much does each requirement cost? For example:
- Is there a registration fee?
- Do you need to pay to sit a permit test?
- How much does a permit cost?
- How much does each lesson cost and how many lessons will you need?
Keep in mind that you don’t need to have the money for every lesson at the beginning, just the first few.
Pick Your Path
ASAP: If you’ve answered this first question with a yes we recommend you start learning to drive now before something comes up or prices increase.
LATER: If you’ve answered no, we recommend you start intentionally saving up for it. You can use a piggy bank like this one to keep spare change.
You’ll be surprised how fast it adds up.
2. Do You Have Time To Learn?
The next cost to consider is time, and it is a big one.
On average it takes about 40 to 50 hours of lessons to learn how to drive. (Of course, it can take more or less time depending on how fast you learn.)
To answer this question, ask yourself the following questions:
- How much time can I sacrifice each week for driving?
- What activities can I reschedule in order to achieve my driving goal?
Pick Your Path
ASAP: If you have free time or activities you can put on pause for a little while, we recommend finding a driving instructor so you can get started as soon as possible.
LATER: On the other hand, if your week is truly booked and busy with little to no free time (for example if you do extracurriculars after school, work multiple jobs, or take other courses) we recommend holding off on driving for a little while longer.
Trying to do it when you’re too busy can leave you feeling overwhelmed and result in you spending money with little returns.
3. What Is The Public Transport System Like?
As we mention in this post, public transport is the most popular and accessible alternative to driving.
Related: Unsure About Getting Your Driver’s License? Here’s How to Tell If It’s Right for You
However, it’s not always the best alternative, depending on where you live in the world.
In some places, you really are better off with your own vehicle.
Pick Your Path
ASAP: If the transport system where you live is expensive, unsafe, unreliable, unsanitary, or uncomfortable to you in any way, we recommend making driving a priority in your life, as long as you can afford it (in terms of both time and money).
LATER: If your public transport system is the opposite of what we mentioned above (i.e. it is affordable, safe, reliable, clean, and comfortable) then you can hold off on learning to drive just a little longer if it’s not the most convenient thing for you to do right now.
4. How Far Do You Live From Work/School?
For most people, work or school are mandatory parts of life that you can’t (and shouldn’t) ignore, even if you want to.
You have to travel there most days of the week and you have to be there on time.
This last part is what matters most.
While time management definitely plays a role, having a car greatly increases your likelihood of getting to your destination on time.
Pick Your Path
ASAP: So, if you live far from where you work or go to school, you’re better off getting your driver’s license sooner rather than later. Roadblocks, traffic jams and obstructions can pop up at any time, and it’s so much worse if you take public transport.
LATER: If you don’t live that far, there’s less urgency but you’ll still have to worry about the weather.
This takes us to the next question.
5. What’s The Weather Like?
Remember that on average, it takes 40 to 50 hours of lessons to learn how to drive.
That’s about 5 to 6 months of driving if you do two 1 hour lessons each week.
So: what’s the weather going to be like 5 to 6 months from now?
Pick Your Path
ASAP: If you’re expecting anything other than perfect sunshiney weather in the next few weeks or months, we recommend putting ‘learning to drive’ and ‘getting a car’ at the top of your to-do list.
You’ll be happy to have a warm and dry car to sit in instead of walking or waiting for public transport while it rains, snows, or hails all around you.
LATER: However, if the next few months will be dry or sunny (and learning to drive is not convenient right now), you can afford to push it back for just a little longer.
6. Do You Have Or Plan To Have Kids Soon?
Here’s why you should make driving a priority if you have or plan to have kids soon.
You can:
- easily transport your kids to safety or the hospital in emergencies, anytime.
- get access to more opportunities for attending better schools, extracurriculars, and social activities.
- share transportation duties, reducing stress on one parent.
- conveniently bring your kids along when running errands.
Related: 7 Fun Games to Play In The Car with Kids
Pick Your Path
ASAP: If you’re a parent of young kids or hoping to have your first soon, start learning as soon as you can. (At least one parent should know how to drive, but it’s always better if both have this skill.)
LATER: If kids are far out of the picture, driving could be a bit less urgent for you.
7. Are You Job Hunting (Or Plan To Soon)?
Pick Your Path
ASAP: If you’re on the hunt for a job or will be doing so soon, you’re going to want to learn to drive ASAP.
This can be an asset for many employers and you don’t want to lose a great job offer just because you can’t drive.
Having your license also opens up more job opportunities for you since you’ll be less limited by distance.
LATER: If you’re not job hunting, having a driver’s license isn’t urgent for your career, and learning to drive isn’t convenient right now, it’s okay to delay for a little bit.
8. Does Someone Drive You Where You Need To Go?
If someone usually takes you from point A to point B, it proves you need a vehicle – and a license – it’s just not yours.
However, life is unpredictable and there may come a time, for whatever unexpected reason where the person you depend on may not be able to drive you on a particular day.
Don’t wait for that to happen.
Pick Your Path
ASAP: If there’s someone who drives you, make getting your license a priority.
It’s perfectly okay if you still want to be a passenger princess after you get your license but at least you’ll be a passenger princess who can drive themselves if they need to.
Related: The 10 Golden Passenger Princess Rules You Should Never Forget
If you don’t have someone to drive you around, learning to drive should be even more of a priority for you!
Making The Final Decision
Now that you’ve gone through all the questions, it’s time to make a decision.
You may have gotten a mix of answers, so choose the answer you got the most of.
If everything points to you getting your license soon, it’s probably right even if you don’t like the answer. As long as you can afford it, try to make the time – you’ll be happy you did in the future.
If your results say that you can put driving off for later, start thinking about what you need to make yourself more ready.
In the end, you may have to sacrifice a lot, but learning to drive will pay off.
Related: 6 Benefits Of Driving (Why You Should Learn To Drive This Year)
Finally, if you’re still not sure about your results, try our quiz and see what you get!
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