[saltcured]

> Constantly being aware of all moving objects around you.

I think this is the biggest one, and it really matters: why is a person learning at 40? Was it random circumstances or have they been avoiding something that seems too challenging? In the latter case, they may have self-selected out of the driving pool for a reason that needs to be addressed carefully.

Have they spent 40 years riding in cars and developing situational awareness of traffic as a passive observer? Or do they treat car rides like an abstract teleporter, where they barely notice what happened from start to finish?

Or, do they have some anxiety or phobia about it? Kids tend to be more plastic and adaptive, as well as somewhat risk-blind. So they can usually get through that quickly. An adult may have more challenge overcoming the fear in order to function properly as a driver. It's not very safe or responsible to do this through solo practice, since being overly anxious can really interfere with the cognitive process you need in complex traffic.

[epc]

If you were born, raised, and now work in NYC there’s no particular reason to learn to drive, and it’s not particularly easy if you’re in a family that doesn’t drive. I’ve been driving since I was 13 (not an NYC native) but go weeks some times without driving in NYC (and the primary reason I drive now is to go to my upstate secret getaway). Doesn’t need to be a major reason, decent urban areas with decent mass transit don’t particularly require individuals to learn to drive.