2w ago

Shamed by parents for wanting a car-free lifestyle.

I let my folks know that I'm getting rid of my drivers licence, because I don't plan on driving for at least the next 5 years.

My parents then said things like, "you're moving backwards in life", or "what will you do if you need to transport someone in an emergency?", to which I responded, "Taxi, or ambulance".

Am I a fool? Should I retain my licence for emergencies? I'm broke ATM, but should start working again soon, and my licence is expiring in a few weeks (and my wallet fell in a river a week ago, so I don't have the card anyways, not even kidding), so I'd rather not pay the $90 to keep it, if I don't have to.

What about you? Do you still keep a license handy for situations, or no? Is living car and license free possible in Canada?

32 comments

I think it is wiser to keep the legal right to drive even if you do not end up using it.
In an emergency, a taxi or car share ride could take a while to get to you and also might refuse your ride (if going to the hospital for an emergency, for example). Or you might find yourself in a position where someone who drove becomes unable to do so to get you or themselves home (sick, drunk, whatever) and you could help out. You also might decide to rent a car for some specific purpose at some point, such as for traveling somewhere with poor public transit or if you need a truck for hauling stuff.
I like to err on the side of preparedness.
- thanks for the perspective. I think I will keep it. I just hate all the costs associated with driving, and I don't even drive, and have to pay this and that.
  And yeah, I have been in situations where I needed to drive, like helping a buddy drive a uhaul, or when another buddy passed out, I drove him to the hospital just in case he dropped behind the wheel.
  
  I think aspiring to a car free lifestyle is great, but there's nothing wrong with renting every once in a while. For the few times in your life that you need to move, renting a Uhaul will save you a ton of money over using a moving company. And there's a few times where renting a truck when purchasing a large appliance will save you over having things delivered.
- Being able to drive could also be a requirement of some future job. (Even if it's not a core duty)
  
  That's true and I should have thought of that. I've had two jobs which weren't driving-related but required me to drive to different locations.
- In an emergency, you don't need a license to drive. Poor people don't really rent a car for a weekend jaunt.
  
  Oh, I didn't know that. That's not the case here in the US, as far as I'm aware.
Do you have to retake the exams and tests? Think about the logistics involved in that as you won’t have a car to take them in.
You’ll need an alternate ID card. The ubiquity of a drivers license as proof of residence and photo ID is highly convenient.
Save a penny, spend a dollar is what this sounds like. Give it 5 years and see how often you use it. There’s a lot of Canada you can’t get to on public transit.
Tell your parents that if it's that important to them, then they can pay for the renewal.
I don't know how it works in Canada, but I'd renew it just as identification. Doesn't matter if you have it or not for driving, but at least in the states a drivers license is ubiquitous as photo id.
You don't need a license. Many people don't have one and don't want one.
It's really just that simple.
I'd keep it, it's a handy form of photo ID, and might be useful when travelling.
I don't drive as often now that I work remotely and have an ebike, but it's still good to have for the rare times I do drive.
I mean your paying $49 dollars for your provincial id card or $90 for the license. You are going to need photo ID so it's one or the other. I'd just pay the extra $50 bucks and keep the license.
They aren't wrong, ik this is fuckcars, but you could still have a car you drive once a week for groceries and ocasionally long distance, its nice not to take an extra whatever hours on a bus/train to certain destinstions, you can still bike 95% of the time lol
- My (now dead, hit by a truck) hs english teacher was a biker, rode a different bike to school like an hour anothe town away daily in california in the central valley (not built for bikes farm roads, hella cars), he still had a car and drove it sometimes like across the city to get food lol
Driving is expensive and sucks. Going without it in Canada depends on how easy it is to access stuff for the most part. If you can walk/bike/transit more or less comfortably, go for it.
A provincial/territorial ID card is an option if you need ID.
Logistically, it's quite easily doable if you're in an urban area, but be prepared for a little less convenience and a LOT of unearned judgment from others (unless you're the social butterfly type who has people lining up to drive you everywhere).
Probably best to get a route map for your local transit systems and go over routes you would hypothetically use. Might help you decide.
excuse my curiosity but why do you have to pay to "keep your license"?
- Renewal, it expires after a certain time, I think 5 years where I live, Ontario.
Meh, having one doesn't require using it, it's not a Pro car statement, it's a license
I applaud you for not wanting to drive a car but if you already have it, why get rid of it?
Just keep it, you never know what will happen requiring you to have it
Don't be my brother and not bother to keep his license and up taking the test multiple times as a 40 something adult.
He is also the worst driver....
Look into getting a non-driver ID card instead, it may be a less expensive option that still keeps a government ID in your hand. If you are over 21 and you want to buy alcohol, this is the way, unless you already have a valid passport.
If you're car free because you don't want to own a car.
There are options to have access to cars through car sharing.
Generally, having a drivers license lets you have greater travel range and options. I drive maybe once every 2-3 months, that's usually because I want a more reliable travel time than waiting for 3-4 transfers between buses and train routes.
Knowing you have a choice to drive also allow you to not focus on other things rather than what you can't do
I got rid of my license in the 90s for the same reasons. There is an Ontario photo ID card available only to people who do not have a driver's license, and I think it is free. I don't recall ever paying any fees. I have only had a couple opportunities since then that it was relevant, and it's never been a significant factor in my life.

32 comments