How long have you had your Drivers License?
Since I was sixteen (1963) but I lost it recently due to diagnosis of sleep apnea.
That is sad. Do you miss driving?
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No, not at all. It was a good decision to revoke my licence. I was aware that I frequently felt drowsy “at the wheel” although I didn’t know why. Anyway, public transportation is extremely trustworthy and the local network is free for seniors.
I am pleased for you.
Public transport can get us most anywhere we want to go at a fraction of the cost of fuel for our vehicles.
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That’s exactly what I wanted to say but I didn’t know if you’d understand it. To be fair, it depends upon where you live and I can certainly understand those from the US who might disagree with me.
Not around here it isn’t Beretrick… 
When I was just a lad, the local council used to subsidise public transport (buses mainly) a visit to our local town about five miles away was as cheap as chips, just a few pennies, and there were about three privately owned bus companies all linking the surrounding villages to the main town of Doncaster and the markets selling locally sourced produce.
The subsidy was withdrawn sometime in the eighties and all the privately bus companies were taken over by some massive company and bus fares went sky high.
South Yorkshire Transport - Wikipedia.
Quote…
In the months prior to deregulation, fare increases of up to 300% were enacted and staff redundancies across the company were carried out in order to cover running costs commercially. This included the withdrawal or conversion of conductor operated buses to one-person operation by 1986, which saw conductors either trained to become drivers or be made redundant from the company.[3]: 132
My Mum had been a bus conductor for 40 years and was made redundant. Although she could easily drive a double decker bus she considered herself to be too old to drive one now and took redundancy.
Anyway, I digress…
So now, even though I get to ride for free at certain times (and I like travelling on the bus) the council would sooner plough unlimited amounts of money into opening a failed airport (it never made a profit in almost 20 years previously) than cater to the needs of the local people. It costs over £2.00 now for a one way trip over the five mile journey into town, far more expensive than the cost of a litre of diesel. Not that anyone wants to go to Doncaster these days, they would sooner buy fresh? produce from the local supermarkets who import it from South Africa, Spain, New Zealand, and brussel sprouts from Morocco? of all places…
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How sad. Here in Perth we can travel as far as Mandurah (70km) for as little as AU$4.16.
UK2 pound
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@Bretrick I’ve held a motorcycle licence since I was 16 and just 1yr later I passed my car test and all ticked along nicely until just recently at 81. A weird feeling had me visiting the local A&E where I was diagnosed with a heat problem which resulted in pacemaker being implanted in my chest along with the instruction to inform the DVLA. This I did and I worried until I received a letter with permission to drive, but, with conditions attatched. I must NOT drive for a full week after a battery change . . yep, I think I can cope with that😁
EDITED for a PS 
Being an old chap with a free bus pass, I do make use of it and leave the car at home if a bus passes where I wish to go 
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How often does the battery need to be changed? Rechargeable battery?
Free bus passes must be great. Saves on fuel costs.
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My battery lasts 13 years Bretrick, although I’ve had it for three years now. I don’t think they replace the batteries but the whole pacemaker/defibrillator because after 13 years, technology will have moved on and the present unit will be old fashioned and out of date.
I was given the all clear to drive just a few weeks after having it fitted and because I just love driving I often undertake long’ish journeys, of course nothing like the long journeys that you and Bruce will probably take. England is not that big…
PS…
I’ve had my motor bike and car licence and been driving since Nelson lost his eye…
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I’m sure I missed something in the translation but let me take a stab at it anyway.
1). We have free city public transport except during “the rush hour”. Week-ends however it’s good around the clock.
2). I have an E-bike. The battery is good for about 40km. on a single charge.
3). I have a pace-maker and I think they told me it needs to be replaced after 5 years. I think thats’ what they said. So, no (I think you are right) recharging the battery on it is not the plan.
I was told between 5 and 8 years. A rechargeable battery is not viable with a pacer as most rechargeables are exhausted after around 3-4yrs. Size also matters as the whole pacer inc battery is fairly small.
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Had a driving licence for a car for 60 years. I failed my motorcycle test because the bike broke down before it was completed and I never bothered to take it again.
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Yes, my mum had her pacemaker replaced with a new one last year, not just the batteries, after the first one was implanted about fourteen years ago.
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Not again! Anyway, at my age friendship is good enough.
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OT. Is some trip down Memory Lane. Still trying to work our the Maths
17/18yo. Learning to drive, amounted too a pal and I Driving around the block, unbeknown, in his dads car.
Period 24th November 1956
Testing suspended during the Suez Crisis. Learners allowed to drive unaccompanied.
Learners without a licence, chinning for a full licence 2yrs later.
Which amounted to. Driving for 30mins, well under 30mph along a straight road town centre with 6 traffic lights. Demonstrating how to. Stop and Start.
Know the difference between. Green, Amber and Red !!
Know how to hand signal. Demonstrated Outside of the car!!
Bingo, licence through the post. That was voluntary surrendered 3yrs ago.
Out of respect and the safety for other road users. 
Fast forward. The Grands impressed by my performance. Want me to teach them. 
Small chance. :
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Passed in November 1971, aged 19. Second attempt. No points or fines, but occurred a couple of PCNs for parking. Once outside my flat, (dropped kern, maybe) and another time in a car park which had gone over to paid parking (had been free for years) without my knowledge.
You have been driving for a long time. What are PCN’s?
Penalty Charge Notice.
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