In my first five years here in the United States I was car-less and driver license-less if this is a way we can call it.
Coming from Europe, where people which do not depend much on cars still abund, I ultimately found that non driving can ultimately have many benefits.

First of all, economically I did not not have to deal with expensive car insurance, leases, triple A's, gasoline, oil changes, car washes, or expensive car repairs.

All I had to care about was to keep in good shape, fuel up with a hearty breakfast and get going to where I had to go.

I personally did not care if Geico could have helped me save a bunch of money because there were definitely no comparisons on how much I was saving by switching to my personal legs and getting them going...

I was lucky enough to have always found jobs within my neighborhood so I did not have to worry about depending on getting car rides, or hopping on a bus.

I was never late to work because my means of transportation did not get "stuck in traffic" or "stuck in the snow" and my bosses were always pleased because I was always punctual and reliable. I never missed work, not even when the biggest snow storm left people stranded in their own driveways.

I have always been skinny,and in good shape and I think this is thanks to the fact I have made walking a good habit.
People may start their engines for just getting to the next convenience store just half a mile away and never give a thought that they can actually get there with their shoes off the pedal and on the sidewalk instead.

Walking is great exercise, and I am sure that if people would depend less on cars there would be much less obesity and less illnesses resulting from hyper-sedentary lifestyles.

You should give it a try, try walking to the grocery store, or walking to the gym. The result will be that you will feel much better as a brisk walk can always help ease frustration, versus driving in traffic and dealing with aggressive drivers.

As a matter of fact,driving can also be dangerous, you can be the best driver ever, but there are always chances of finding somebody driving with salami on their eyes and not paying attention or worst driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

I have walked everywhere and yet I have never gotten a ticket or a fine for walking too fast, walking DUI, or aggressive walking.

However, being car-less or better license-less comes with a price...During these years I have always had to deal with the surprised faces of people when they asked me for a form of I.D and I passed them out my passport.

"Don't you have a driver's license?"
"Nope, sorry".

I don't know what goes through their mind then because they clearly are aware of the fact that I am close to my early thirties. I guess they must think something bad like my license might may have been suspended or revoked.

Sometimes, I wonder if I am a rarity, like an almost extinct animal that should stay on display at a museum since I seem to be the only one around so far to not have a driver license.

I am actually starting to worry about it since in a recent commercial I have seen that even cavemen have a driver license and even pay insurance!

But to tell the truth, I am one step closer to normal, as I am working on my driving skills and just got my permit.

During these times, I have made a promise to myself, more than a promise perhaps it is a sort of a commitment: Once I start driving and get my driver license, I will not toss away my sneakers, but rather I will continue to rely on my legs as walking is what they were intended to be used for in first place....

Learn more about this author, Janet Farricelli.
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