Fear of Driving?

MayaSPapaya
MayaSPapaya Posts: 735 Member
in Chit-Chat
I'm going to be 19 this June and still don't have my lisence.
I've practiced driving plenty of times and even took driver's ed in high school, but I'm still so scared whenever I get behind the wheel.
Any advice on how to shake that fear?

Replies

  • _noob_
    _noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
    The desire to chose when and where i fished with my boat was my deciding factor to get over my fear of driving (true story).

    HAVING to drive around Houston effing TX cured any and all fear of driving anywhere for me once and for all though.
  • Jersey_Devil
    Jersey_Devil Posts: 4,142 Member
    practice in empty parking lots
  • TomTomato
    TomTomato Posts: 223
    For some people it takes a while to get confortable behind the wheel. For others, it just seems to come naturally. I would agree that more practice in parking lots would be helpful. I had a daughter that was uncomfortable even though I knew she was ready to drive. The time came when I felt she should take the driver's test. She didn't think she was ready. I advised her to take the test. Lo and behold, she passed it! That dramatically boosted her confidence and I think it made her a better driver because of it.
  • tipadoo
    tipadoo Posts: 104 Member
    I was a late starter too. Stick to roads you know at first. Slowly venture out of your comfort zone when the roads are quiet (Sunday's?). Eventually you will gain confidence. Good luck.
  • ktsmom430
    ktsmom430 Posts: 1,100 Member
    It is healthy to have a little fear, and normal. It will get better with more experience. Morning commutes like today (snow and ice) still terrify me and I am 61. You need to be anticipating other drivers actions all the time, even if you are a good, experienced driver. Your concern is kind of a good thing.


    We didn't let our daughter get her license until the summer before she was a senior in high school @ 17. It was a very stressful time for us all with the constant "all of my friends drive". She is a better driver for it. Has not had one accident yet, and will be 29 in a couple of weeks.
  • _the_feniks_
    _the_feniks_ Posts: 3,412 Member
    Alcohol.
  • soldier4242
    soldier4242 Posts: 1,368 Member
    Alcohol.

    Yes Alcohol is the antidote for both road rage and fear of drinking. They don't call it liquid courage for nothing. Remember before you get behind the wheel of a care always make sure to be completely stuffed to the rafters will large quantities of alcohol.
  • SweetestLibby
    SweetestLibby Posts: 607 Member
    Practice! Lots of it. I was late and didn't get my license until 25 (last Nov.) I had my permit for 5 years but keep using the excuse well I won't be driving often or I never drive alone so there was no needed for it when in reality I was scared. Getting on the highway was absolutely terrifiying for me.

    I still hate driving but I'm no longer afraid of it. Evenutally I got used to it and truthfully it was the close calls/almost accidents that gave me the confidence in my ability to react as necessary and use appropriate caution.
  • 2credneck208
    2credneck208 Posts: 501 Member
    I didn't get my license until I was 19 too! I'm also 34 and have never wrecked my car. You'll get used to it. I didn't drive on the freeway until I was 24. You got this!!
  • Jperry2755
    Jperry2755 Posts: 2
    I'm glad I'm not the only one!!
  • lorieaucoin
    lorieaucoin Posts: 175 Member
    I'm almost 27 and I still don't have my license - I'm lucky that my husband likes being my chauffeur lol
    Seriously though - I got my permit when I was 17, took driver's ed, and did great but the actually getting behind the wheel of a car terrifies me to this day. I always explain it as "It's not the fear of driving that stops me - it's the fear of the OTHER people driving that terrifies me."
    I did drive a couple times when my ex-boyfriend refused to drive me, and I did fine, but it's been probably 4 years since I've driven.
    I don't know when I'll get my license, but I know it's not going to be anytime soon.
  • JusticeGirl25
    JusticeGirl25 Posts: 703 Member
    There's really no rush to get a drivers license. I was 19 when I learned how to drive. Had to rely on my parents, brother, and friends for rides when I was in high school and though it sucked, they didn't mind at all. It was more along the lines of how expensive it is to buy a car, get insurance, GAS MONEY, and all sorts of issues that could come out by getting a car. It took a lot of practice-had to log 50 hours worth of driving time plus the AAA course during the summer.
  • joek5637
    joek5637 Posts: 29 Member
    just put your self in the car in a empty parking lot practice different maneuvers' until you feel comfortable with each maneuver then move on to the next one that how I got a few drivers who where trying to get there cdls(commercial driver license) just cut them lose in a parking lot but don't start driving until you feel safe an comfortable do not rush it
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    I'm going to be 19 this June and still don't have my lisence.
    I've practiced driving plenty of times and even took driver's ed in high school, but I'm still so scared whenever I get behind the wheel.
    Any advice on how to shake that fear?

    My sons mother is 26, she still doesn't drive for similar reasons. I tried to teach her...her current boyfriend tried to teach her. She just won't.

    Her mother is 50something. She doesn't drive either.

    I can't give you any advice other than to just do it. The fear will eventually go away.
  • JustAboutDelicious_wechanged
    JustAboutDelicious_wechanged Posts: 2,486 Member
    I promise it will be ok

    14993_109730065707554_100000116825772_268063_3811498_n_zps552efe1b.jpg
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    I promise it will be ok

    14993_109730065707554_100000116825772_268063_3811498_n_zps552efe1b.jpg

    :heart:
  • Allie_71
    Allie_71 Posts: 1,063 Member
    Learn from an accredited driving school, and not just people who will pass on bad habits.

    Spend lots of time behind the wheel. Maximize your road time so that you are prepared for different situations.

    Know your car, and what its limits are. A good way to do that is to take a performance driving class. It sounds strange, but it's fun, and will train you to react in unexpected situations. You may actually find that you enjoy driving after taking it.

    i think what makes people fearful about driving is not knowing how to react in different situations, preparedness is the key. Driving can be really fun.

    Also, if you can, learn to drive manual. It opens you up to the joy of driving.

    :heart:
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Sounds corney but go carts helped me be more comfy driving
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    I get panic attacks off and on when I drive. The only way to get over the fear is to drive. I drive like a Grandma, and I dont care. I go the speed limit. You'll get idiots who think they are some great indie driver acting like a moron with road rage sometimes pissed because you are cautious but all that matters is I get to my destination alive. It's scary but you just have to do it be alert be cautious always babysit the other cars. No one is a good driver out there and that person that tells you they are a good driver is the one with tickets and accidents. My Dad has never been in an accident is the only driver I know who doesnt make me want to puke from car sickness and drives slow and catious. You can do it as one scardey cat to another just do it.
  • MorbidMander
    MorbidMander Posts: 349 Member
    I'm 21 and I don't have mine either because of that, so bump.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,327 Member
    I didn't get my license till I was nearly 22...my parents were too scared to TEACH me. I bought a new car so I could get to work.... my parents drove me. My dad drove MY car more than his. FINALLY, the guy I was dating at the time got mad and he took me to parking lots and taught me. I may never have gotten my license if it hadn't been for him.

    I have always had anxiety issues and thought I would never drive. But I finally felt less anxious after I got my license. The feeling of independence was greater than my fear. And being able to take back my car from my dad was great!
  • babymaddux
    babymaddux Posts: 209 Member
    my ex bf was a bit like this. he always had people to give him rides, me, his sister etc, and didn't see any reason why he should get his license. he wasn't confident that he could handle a car, (he was 42 at the time.) he'd had lessons but was in no rush to take it further. then one day i'd driven us somewhere and i got sick. i could barely stand, let alone drive and the only way we were getting home was if he got us there. so i got in the passenger seat, told him i was in his hands, had confidence in his ability to get us there and pretty much passed out. and he did it. he had to rely on his own knowledge and ability as he couldn't ask me questions every 100 yards and the following day he applied for his license.
    he'd never had the need to trust himself before so had convinced himself he couldn't do it. i'm not saying do something this extreme, and plenty of practice is invaluable. uk test dates are up to 3 months out from when you apply so he drove a lot with my mother while waiting. he wouldn't listen to me, but he didn't know her too well so when she said do something, he did.

    if you don't need your license, don't worry about it. there may come a time when it's necessary and you can do something about it. until then, just practice. take lessons if they are available where you are, from someone qualified to teach and who will help you to build confidence. of if there's a family member you will listen to, then ask them to help.

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