At what point is a special interest considered weird/bad?

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Though I am not a fan of his, I will quote Dr. Phil here, as his answer was the most logical thing I have ever heard said on television: It is unhealthy if it "starts to negatively impact your life." If one is so engrossed in their interests, it prevents them from caring for their lawn, keeping up with chores and most importantly, caring for oneself, it is no longer "healthy." An interest that drives one to harm others can also be deemed unhealthy (caution should be exercised when claiming an interest makes someone desire to harm others, as the actual desire to do so lies within the mind of the individual, not in the interest).

I have an interest that is often considered weird or "bad" based solely on the subject alone (firearms and weapons systems). People often believe that those who express such an interest are destined to become violent, psychopathic murderers, but the fact of the matter is the ones who have this fascination and commit violent acts allowed the interest to pervade every aspect of their lives and combined it with an underlying sense of anger, rejection and hatred and wishes to act out in a violent manner towards others. The interest in weapons alone didn't contribute to the crimes perpetrated by "spree/rampage killers."

It is also important to understand that what is unusual is not inherantly "bad" or "wrong." By that logic, we are "wrong" and therefore "bad" merely for being wired differently.

It is when you're obsessed with something like bus-drivers, and you get yourself involved with the bus-drivers then get a name for yourself, then knowing that you have their attention you so badly want to get this particular bus every day that you really want to quit your local job and want to find a job where you have to get on this particular bus to get to it, but you spend a lot of time worrying that this particular bus company might suddenly go bust and the bus services might stop or go into a different company and you plan on having a breakdown or committing suicide if that happens.

Just use that as a template example for whatever your special interests are, and then you will know that you're no longer in control of your special interests, they are in control of you.

Sometimes, one has to step inside in order to regain control Joe. Thought any more about applying for that licence yet? Take action. Grasp the nettle. Become who you have always been. I mean it -- go for it. Good luck.

If your interest(s) are so repetitive that they get in the way of your functioning they will be considered a criteria for a positive diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

One of my favorite saying is: "You know you have a drinking problem when your drinking causes problems."

I apply that same logic to my special interests. As others have said, so long as something is not harmful, either directly or indirectly through neglecting basic life management, then what the heck - I allow myself to enjoy it.