Can Aspies Drive?

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I went almost 30 years with just a bicycle, but then I needed a car for a business. Some modern automatic transmission cars get better mileage than their manual counterparts. You can look up which they are, and improve the score of any car with special driving techniques and maintenance. I have always bought cars around 20 years old and done my own repairs. They cost under $200 pa for parts and depreciation while providing reliable, economical transportation. Modern car repairs can start at ten times that. I'm looking forward to qualifying for cheaper "collector" license plates - it depends on age, not how many you have.
Farm life may indeed stick with us. My NT sister was delighted to spend a day driving a semi-tractor her husband arranged for her birthday.

I do have a driver's license but I never got round to getting a car. To be honest with you, I am very nervous of the roads, and where I live there's a lot of aggressive drivers and heavy traffic. Also I enjoy getting buses.

But all my peers are driving about in cars (my cousins of my age), and I feel I should too. But time has gone so quick. One minute they were all teenagers starting driving lessons or considering it, and talking about what they want as their first car, exchanging driver's test study books, and seeing them get on buses to get from A to B. And now they are all independantly getting about in their own cars, never seeing them getting the buses any more, and it just makes me feel like a wimp who can't move on like everyone else.

If I was able to drive to work, I would cut my commuting time in half or more.

I don´t drive

I know a guy who had paid off a house in Ottawa before he was 30, because he used a bicycle instead of a car. The key is to find your home, job, and shops by exploring on your bike so they will all be within a comfortable distance. With a bike you can always stop for a look, producing a much finer-grained search.

In a quest for lower emissions, and greater economy most modern automatics use a computer controlled "automated manual" gearbox and clutch. As such, and since the computer is more consistent and "vigilant" about picking the optimum gear than a typical driver, you often find no power loss and an increase in economy.

Yes many aspies can drive, in the UK it is sometimes more problematic for large vehicles, as the health requirements state persons with Aspergers may be suitable for licensing, so the answer for trucks or buses becomes partly dependent on a health-care professional.

Last edited by FeardyBase on 15 Apr 2017, 7:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

Sorry, I meant that I have had my licence for over 20 years. Whoops. I will go and fix that part.

However, my current car (Mazda 323 Astina) IS 23 years old and is going fine.

Edit: looks like I can't edit that particular post anymore, oh well.

I'm 46, I don't drive. Sometimes I wish I can drive.

Got my license when I was 21. I really don't think it's healthy for me. It always feels like I'm having a nervous breakdown. There are so many variables. Everything is racing past. Ideally I would just walk everywhere. Public transportation comes with its own set of difficulties.

Honestly, I'm the best driver I know, as far as driving abilities go. My spacial awareness, reaction time, and attention to detail really shine in a car.

I think many Aspies who can't/don't drive aren't posting in this thread because they're embarrassed or afraid of being ridiculed. I know I am.

At least you are living in the right era. Driving is becoming a robot's job, and the pleasures of driving are few. Car ownership is becoming obsolete and antisocial. You can skip driving the same way I skipped learning slide rule.

Public transportation in my town is great and I don't have any literal need to drive to get to work or around town. It wouldn't be a problem for me if it weren't for the fact that men who can't drive are not attractive to many women.