Why do people now NEED to have a car or driving license?

I’m 19 and for me, the only reason to own a car is a spare vehicle to use in the winter months when it’s unsafe to ride my motorcycle. When I’ve applied for jobs, even office jobs! they require a driving license, even though I have transport! Growing up, my mum never had this issue, she would get lifts from my grandad or just walk the 3-4 mile round trip to work. Looking at me and my girlfriends prospects, we’re looking at a 2 car + 1/2 motorcycle household which is INSANE! when I was growing up my street was almost empty and now my brother has to basically fight the neighbour for a parking space. Also, where are all of the houses with garages? I’ve been looking at houses to rent/buy and there are literally none! too many damn conversions. And whats with so many people spending ridiculous amounts on cars? are people really dropping over a years wages on a complicated computerised shitbox with the battery hidden under 400 pieces of mumbo jumbo! What happened?