I lost my drivers license a year or so ago in the parking lot at the Metro (subway) station. I didn’t even know it. In fact, I only discovered that I had lost it about a week later when I received it in the mail. Someone had found it and luckily decided to return it.
I lost my license but was able to get a provisional license to go to work. I was a heavy equipment operator and frequently had to commute 50+ miles. When insurance came due and it did in a big way (they can charge anything they want when you lose your license), I decided to get a job that I could walk to. When I began my new job I bought a bicycle and never walked.
I think it would depend on WHY I lost my license. In many states, there are severe penalties for driving with a license suspended because of a DUI. This would also be a violation of probabtion and probably result in jail time. I’d have to think about considering these possible consequences.
I would have to keep driving, at least to work. I live almost 50 miles from where I work, and people here haven’t even heard of the term ‘public transporation.’
The one thign I might be able to get away with doign is asking my boss to transfer me, maybe just temporarily, to the hospital that’s a mile from here I live, and the guy who works there would work at my hospital.
In late November of 2003 (day before Thanksiving), I received a DUI and lost license for 12 months, effective 12/27/2003. I had the Salvation Army come tow my car that Friday, and haven’t been behind the wheel of a car ever since.
There is virtually NO solid public transportation where I live (I assume there is a bus system), but am fortunate that I work a little over 3 miles from my apartment, as there is a nice paved bike/walk trail I can take every day. In 2004, I put over 2000 miles on my bike. I started working out again. I’m 28 and am in better shape today than I have been since I was a senior in high school, where I was very active (basketball/football/baseball). It snowed about 4 inches last night, so today I walked.
I am for the first time since I can remember, debt free (not counting some school loans), and have more money saved up today than I have ever had in my life (granted, it still isn’t much). For over 15 months, I’ve spent no money on car payments, gasoline, insurance, tires, alternator, leaking head-gasket, brakes, oil, fast-food drive throughs, and I can honestly say that not having a car for the past has been one of the best things that has happened… at least I’m much happier anyway. Interestingly enough, many friends have come to me with ride offers, showing generosity I don’t deserve or want, etc.
Yes, people think it’s weird, and some think I’m crazy, or that I’m even lying about it. All I know is that I was eligible to get my license back last December, and haven’t a whole lot of thought to it yet. I know I will eventually, but, until I get to that point where I really need one (change jobs? Take some nice girl on a date?) I figure what the hell.