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32 Relatable Struggles for Adults Who Can’t Drive

Welcome to the no-license club! Let’s navigate through the 32 twists and turns of life as a carless adult. Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride!

By Nathan ChenPublished 11 months ago 5 min read
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32 Relatable Struggles for Adults Who Can’t Drive
Photo by why kei on Unsplash

Ah, the glorious life of an adult who can’t drive! The wind in your hair as you walk to the nearest bus stop, the thrill of having your very own designated driver every time you go out. Yes, life is grand when you’ve got no license to your name, isn’t it? Well, it’s time to spill the tea on the 32 problems we face when we’re all grown up but still can’t drive.

The Judgment

Remember when Britney Spears sang “I’m not a girl, not yet a woman”? Yeah, that’s how we feel when people find out we can’t drive. It’s like they suddenly see us as 15-year-olds who haven’t taken our driving test yet. Cue the eye rolls and smirks.

Uber Everywhere

What’s that? A party on the other side of town? Count me in! But first, let me call my trusty Uber. Yes, we know our driver’s name, and yes, they know our entire life story. We’re practically BFFs at this point.

The “Mom, Dad, Can I Have a Ride?” Throwback

When your friends are all busy and Uber is surging, you’re left with no choice but to ask your parents for a ride. Cue the nostalgia of asking for rides to the mall in high school. Cringes

Public Transportation: A Love-Hate Relationship

Public transportation is our lifeline, but it’s also the bane of our existence. Missed connections, delays, and being squished like sardines in a can? Not our idea of a fun time.

By Mediocre Studio on Unsplash

The Grocery Haul Struggle

Grocery shopping without a car is like playing Tetris with bags of groceries. You strategize how to carry everything home while silently cursing the lack of trunk space in your life.

The IKEA Dilemma

Forget about picking up that new bookshelf from IKEA – unless you’re prepared to assemble it right there in the store and walk it home piece by piece.

The Designated Drunk

No car? No designated driver responsibilities! Silver linings, right?

Constantly Feeling Like a Burden

We all hate to be that friend who always needs a ride, but sometimes, we just can’t help it. We’re sorry, and we swear we’ll make it up to you… somehow.

The Road Trip FOMO

When your friends plan an epic road trip, and you’re left behind because you can’t take turns driving. We’ll just be here, scrolling through your Insta stories with a serious case of FOMO.

The Carpool Karaoke Dream

Our dream of singing our hearts out in a car with James Corden will never come true. But hey, at least we can still rock out on the subway, right?

The Constant “Why Don’t You Drive?” Question

The million-dollar question that never gets old. “Why don’t you drive?” Because, Karen, life is a highway, and I prefer the scenic route.

The Fear of Driving

Let’s face it: some of us are just straight-up terrified of driving. There’s something about being in control of a giant metal machine that gives us major anxiety.

The “Driving Lessons” Guilt Trip

You’ve been told a million times that you should take driving lessons. But, you know, life happens, and you just haven’t gotten around to it yet. We feel you.

The Cost of Not Driving

Who needs a car payment when you can spend your hard-earned cash on ride-sharing apps and public transportation? Oh, the joys of adulting without a car.

The “But What About Emergencies?” Argument

We get it, having a car can come in handy during emergencies. But guess what? There’s always someone around with a car, and if not, there’s always emergency services. Problem solved.

The Environmental Guilt

We know cars aren’t great for the environment, and it’s a small consolation that we’re doing our part by not driving. But sometimes, we can’t help but feel guilty for relying so much on ride-shares.

The Online Shopping Addiction

Why go out shopping when you can have everything delivered straight to your door? Bonus points if you have Amazon Prime.

The Dream of Living in a Pedestrian Paradise

We’ve all fantasized about living in a city where everything is within walking distance. New York City, anyone?

By cody lannom on Unsplash

The Bicycle Life

Who needs a car when you have a trusty bike? Just don’t forget your helmet!

The Fear of Missing Out on Driving Memes

Remember when Baby Yoda became a meme sensation for his driving skills? Yeah, we didn’t get it either.

The Disappointment of Not Owning a Cool Car

No car means no chance of owning that sweet ride from “Fast and Furious.” Bummer.

The “How Do You Survive?” Question

Contrary to popular belief, we do just fine without a car, thank you very much.

The GPS Dependency

Even though we don’t drive, we’re always the ones in charge of the GPS during road trips. It’s a heavy burden, but someone’s got to do it.

The Fear of Becoming a Driver

What if we finally get our license and realize we’re terrible drivers? The horror!

The Reliance on Delivery Services

Food delivery apps are our lifesavers. Thank you, modern technology!

The Awkwardness of Explaining Your Situation on Dates

Trying to explain to a date why you don’t drive can feel like walking a tightrope. How do you make it sound cool and not like a deal-breaker?

The Constant Comparison to Movie Characters

“You’re like that character from ‘Clueless’ who can’t drive!” We get it; we’re pop culture icons.

The Struggle of Getting to Remote Locations

Hiking trips and secluded beach getaways? Good luck getting there without a car.

The “What If?” Scenarios

Our minds are constantly filled with “what if” scenarios involving cars. What if we had a car? What if we could drive? What if we were speed racers?

The “Just Learn Already!” Pressure

We know, we know. We should learn to drive. It’s on our to-do list, we promise.

By Jan Baborák on Unsplash

The Art of Asking for Rides

Asking for a ride is an art form. It’s all about timing, tact, and a whole lot of charm.

The Long Walks Home

Sometimes, when all else fails, you just have to walk. Embrace the journey, my friend, and enjoy the sights along the way. Who knows, maybe you’ll stumble upon a hidden gem that you would’ve missed if you were driving.

There you have it – 32 relatable problems only us non-drivers can truly understand. So, the next time someone asks why we don’t drive, we can simply direct them to this list and let them know we’re in good company. From saving the environment to embracing the pedestrian life, we’ve learned to navigate the twists and turns of adulting without a license.

But hey, maybe one day we’ll take that driving test and join the ranks of the licensed. Until then, we’ll be here, waving down our Uber, checking the bus schedule, and enjoying the simple pleasures of not being behind the wheel. After all, the journey is just as important as the destination – even if it takes a little longer to get there.

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About the Creator

Nathan Chen

I'm Nathan Chen, a queer Asian writer advocating for LGBTQ+ issues, Asian representation, millennial lifestyle, work life & mental health. Let's explore life's complexities together!

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