Many people see driving as a necessity. When you’re used to traffic jams and long commutes, the idea of driving for fun can seem incomprehensible. However, driving can be a relaxing and fun hobby, especially when done in the right way.
How Can Driving be a Hobby?
When you think of a hobby, images of outdoor exercise and crafts often come to mind, but hobbies aren’t limited to structured activities. The Collins Dictionary defines a hobby as “an activity that someone does for pleasure when they are not working”. By this definition, any activity can become a hobby!
With the rise of public transport options, car sharing, and cycling schemes, driving is becoming less of a necessity. If you enjoy driving, why not focus on your skill and get enjoyment out of it as a hobby instead?
Below, we’ve rounded up several ways to turn driving into a hobby.
Find Scenic Routes
Driving through built-up areas and congested streets isn’t the best way to appreciate the road. Instead, spectacular scenic routes across the UK and abroad offer wonderful opportunities to experience driving. Planning is the key to success in scenic driving, and you will definitely need to add a few stops along the way to admire the views!
Websites like National Geographic rank the top scenic drives around the UK, with information on how long your journey will take and what to expect. If you already have a picturesque area in mind, searching online for route recommendations can take your trip to the next level.
Driving to a Specific Location
If you like to have an aim when you drive, it’s easy to pick an interesting destination. For example, driving to a beauty spot will mean you can stretch your legs or relax outside the car. Alternatively, you could pick a pub or restaurant you’d like to visit and centre your driving around this. Websites such as the Good Pub Guide can serve as inspiration. They provide lists of what they deem to be the best pubs in the UK, organised by region.
Once you’ve found your destination, a quick Google Maps search will help you find out exactly how to get to there. You can plan your adventure based on the time you wish to drive, how far you’d like to go, or even by detours of places you’d like to see on the way. Breaking up the journey in this way will provide regular breaks and also add a new dynamic to your trip.
Buying a Second Car for Driving
Many people enjoy driving but find that their practical, everyday car just doesn’t fill them with excitement. If this sounds like you, then you may want to consider buying a second car specifically for your hobby.
Choose a Car You Really Like
The best way to choose your new car is to decide how and where you would like to drive. Driving a sports car down long, scenic roads might be an image that has you reaching for your keys. Alternatively, off-track driving can become a true adventure with a 4x4. If you want to explore new, distant regions, a campervan might be the vehicle for you.
Restore an Old Car
Restoring an old car is an attractive idea for mechanically-minded drivers. Car restoration combines several hobbies and gives an enormous sense of satisfaction when you drive your vehicle. Restoration is a complex process that requires a lot of patience and can be made easier with expert opinions or like-minded friends.
Can a Hobby be a Profession?
Most hobbies can turn into professions if the person becomes highly proficient at what they do. Craft-based hobbies can become full-time jobs if there is enough demand for the product, but driving is a little different.
There are several ways to turn driving into a profession. Taxi drivers, bus drivers and chauffeurs make a living from driving. However, if the freedom of driving is what you find attractive, these jobs may not be for you. Private drivers have little autonomy in their work as pre-determined end destinations often dictate their routes.
Alternatively, while Formula One might be a distant dream, rally driving is a real possibility. Becoming a professional rally driver is a difficult feat, but you may be able to enter competitions at a lower level. You will need to pass certain exams and ensure your car is up to the required safety standards. Joining a local car club is a great place to find out more.
Staying Eco-friendly
Understanding the environmental impact of your driving is important. As technology develops, so do the options for environmentally-friendly driving. How can you be a green driver?
1. Consider Your Car
You may wish to opt for a hybrid or electric vehicle that produces minimal greenhouse gasses and pollution at their point of use.
2. Monitor Fuel Consumption
You can usually monitor your miles per gallon on your car’s dashboard. The more miles you drive per gallon, the less fuel you use. The less fuel you use, the less environmental impact your car has and the further you can go each time you fill up (saving you money!).
3. Taking Public Transport
You might make the choice to change your day-to-day mode of transport, saving driving for leisure time. Many people are able to do their everyday activities by bike, walking, public transport, or car sharing. There are endless apps to help with timetables and route planning. Some areas also have bike sharing initiatives that have minimal costs for the user.
Budgeting for your Hobby
It’s a good idea to look over your budget if you decide to take up driving as a hobby. Changes to your finances could include increased fuel costs, maintenance fees, buying another car, or investing in an alternative everyday mode of transport. Pension Times can help with free articles about everything from finances to lifestyle. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter for regular updates!
