Is it unacceptable in society to not have a car or driver's license?

Question: I'm 23 years old and I don't even have a driver's license. I took the first written test but never got on the road. My parents originally discouraged me from getting one because they said I didn't need one, insurance rates are too high, etc. I've asked my dad to give me driving lessons and he gave a few but now he never has time for it. I think I should go to a driver's school, but I'm unemployed and feel ashamed to even have a driving instructor ask me what job I have. I can afford the lessons but probably not a car + insurance. Do I need to get it done ASAP? I live in an area with adequate transit (a suburb of Toronto, Canada) but I realize it does limit my travel possibilities. Am I already at the age where I'm universally considered a loser for not having a driver's license? I heard that in Ontario, driver's tests are set up so that most people fail them and have to go back to driver's school again. Also I'm afraid I have dexterity problems - I never learned how to ride a bike - and would fail to learn quickly.

Answer: I think it's a generational thing sometimes, beside the expense. I've been meeting a number of young folks in California who don't have driver's licenses. I see more very bad drivers on the road in the San Francisco bay area, but that's not just young people. They swing too wide in turns, blow stop signs. They won't signal lane changes and turns, flip the bird at you when you blow the horn to try and avoid hitting them. Don't start metalking about drive-by shootings. It's all kinds of people too. Don't blame any one race. Come to think of it, I'm seeing more people walking stupidly- reckless jay walking without looking and walking down the middle of the street and backing off the curb at bus stops. I even saw a couple stop and hug right in the middle of a busy intersection. Trying to merge in freeway traffic accross Nevada is like jousting. I have had several drivers try to block me from merging and race around to get back in front of me. I'm not a slowpoke either. I blasted across Utah at 80mph and more. I will not challenge the log truck drivers in British Colmbia. They will fly down twisty and narrow mountain roads at 70.I gotta respect them , and stay out of their way. My car was slipping a bit on the turns that had sheer drops on one side and sheer mountains on the other.. Don't feel bad to not have a license. Sometimes driving will cause you to experience gut wrenching fear. Even after getting a license, our skill will suffer if you don't keep practicing to stay sharp.