Fear of Driving

St._Andalou

Has anyone ever gotten over a fear of driving? Any advice on what to do?

I'm 24. I was involved in a minor car crash when I was younger. I had driving lessons from dad aged 17 and I was able to drive properly but not confidently. I have my provisional license.

I can't get over this fear whenever I get into a car. It's even there when I'm just a passenger, if someone goes too fast. The fear probably comes from the car accident and my dad was really demented when teaching me how to drive. I mean, I know a lot of people are like that when teaching someone to drive but he went overboard -- shouting, swearing, screaming, making me really nervous.

Do you think if I just went and got professional lessons I'd get over this?

St._Andalou

St._Andalou wrote: »

Do you think if I just went and got professional lessons I'd get over this?

Absolutely. I had a very calm "ok we're going to take a left here, no big deal, just check mirror..." etc, instructor, it was brilliant. Made serious advances with her when I was learning.

**Timbuk2**

Go with a proper instructor. If your dad has a slight fear of driving as well, he is only giving you it to by teaching you. An instructor is calm, very used to beginners, and most importantly has controls on his/her side, so if you listen to him/her, you should not be in any danger.

Once your confidence increases, your fear will probably go away!

daveharnett

St._Andalou wrote: »

Do you think if I just went and got professional lessons I'd get over this?

Absolutely. Some time with a great instructor and a dual control car will do wonders for your confidence.

bodun

Had a similar fear myself, had and accident as a child(fell out of a car!!!) and was always nervous in the passenger seat and when I started to drive. It just takes time to get the confidence up, the more you drive the more confident you will get and the nerves will disappear. I passed my test over a year ago and haven't looked back since. Also friend and family,while having good intentions may not be the best teachers I found, sometimes you just need a stranger to tell you what to do.

Whippersnapper

I'm in my mid 20s now, have never driven but have a fear of learning to drive, not driving in itself. I'm just petrified I won't get it and I'll look and feel like a complete idiot. I don't know whether I should get someone I know and trust to show me the basics first to see if that will bring up my confidence. I would like to be able to drive but I don't know if I'd be able to. Any suggestions?

Busi_Girl08

I spent last summer getting driving lessons, first in my instructor's car, then my Dad's.

I always was a little nervous before getting into the car, but then once I got going I relaxed a little (not too much ).
I then planned to carry on practising when my 10 weeks of lessons finished and would go for the test in January/February.

I drove around a little with my Dad the odd time, I drove half way to Ennis (had to pull in and switch with Dad when we got to the motorway). Then, I stopped driving as much when I went back to Uni.

That was nearly a year ago, and I haven't driven since. Whenever I imagine myself behind the wheel, all I can picture is my going out of control.

Mum and Dad are kind of encouraging me to "get back on the horse", although they aren't being too pushy.
It's just my own anxiety, really. I never had any major problems or incidents (I did grind the car along our garden gate when I tried to pull into the driveway, but nothing life-threatening. Was never in a crash when I was younger).

It's just in my nature, to constantly think of the worst case scenario. My Permit is up in December, so I don't know if much is really going to happen till then

LilMsss

OP I can tell you right now that it gets far easier - but you HAVE to be out driving in order to overcome your nerves.

I only started driving in February of this year and was soooo unbelievably nervous - partly I think because I only started learning in my late 20s. I would feel sick to my stomach when I knew I had to get behind the wheel, and was terrified of causing an accident.

The only thing you can do is to keep driving. Think carefully about who your accompanying driver is going to be, it needs to be someone who you are comfortable with and you feel safe taking instructions from.

I've been driving 6 months now and am due to take my test for the second time in a few weeks. The difference in my confidence over the past few months is unbelievable - It took me two months before the nerves passed and I was confident in my own ability behind the wheel.

Now, I will drive anywhere - that's not to say I don't still get flustered by certain situations, but I know I'm a good driver and in control of the car, and that in itself gives me the confidence to drive.

Galadriel

I feel the same OP, I've been learning to drive on and off for 10 years :eek: But this time I'm going to stick with it, I've just completed 10 driving lessons, I bought a car a few weeks ago but have only driven it a couple of times cause I'm so nervous, I might get a lesson or two in my car just to get used it to it. I am on my 4th or 5th permit so I am not giving up this time, hopefully it will get a bit easier!!

Niche market

Whippersnapper wrote: »

I'm in my mid 20s now, have never driven but have a fear of learning to drive, not driving in itself. I'm just petrified I won't get it and I'll look and feel like a complete idiot. I don't know whether I should get someone I know and trust to show me the basics first to see if that will bring up my confidence. I would like to be able to drive but I don't know if I'd be able to. Any suggestions?

Don't worry about looking like a fool, we all have to start somewhere!! besides learning how to drive is about the experience and confidence you pick up as you go along!!! i wouldnt suggest that you get thought the basics by an outside person tbh cause they might teach you bad habits... like when i started off, my dad thought me the basics but when i went to the instructor i was told that he could see examples of bad habits being passed on from my dad to me! :P I see your in wicklow like myself so if u want i could pass on the number of my instructor just pm me if ya want he might help build up your confidence and he is really calm which is good as you dont get freaked out even when it looks like your gonna crash! :rolleyes: chill! You will be able to drive it just takes time to learn properly! hope this helps