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?
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.
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.
As the other comments suggested, getting a driving licence even if 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.
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.
