Driving Anxiety...20...Don't have my license...Haven't driven in 1 year.

[Iseesky]

Just looking for some last minute motivation before I go out driving with my dad tomorrow. Sounds silly, but I'm anxious about everything...including driving.

I've had my learner's permit since I turned 17, but have only driven 5, maybe 6 times since then. Yeah...can you believe that? I haven't driven in an entire year.

I have my very own car as well. I thought it would motivate me to want to drive. Nope! My younger brothers and parents use it. -_-

My main fear is not getting injured or injuring someone else (though, I do fear that still...), but what people will think of me. Do my parents secretly think I'm a hopeless driver? Are other drivers mocking how I complete my turns? And it KILLS me when I get passed. My mom tries to reassure me and calls the people jerks who are in a hurry to get nowhere...But then I'm down on myself for the rest of the drive thinking that I'm going too slow and that I shouldn't even bother trying...

I just really don't like it. Driving just doesn't come naturally to me, I guess. My brothers have taken to it amazingly. My brother is younger than me and can already drive without an adult. He was almost perfect at it the first time he drove.

Blah. I just wish I had the money to hire a driver. They could drive me around.

Anyone struggling with this as well? Or have you struggled with this in the past?

I plan on getting lessons with a driving instructor, but I want to at least know the basics so I don't look like an idiot in front of him. ::

 

[R3K]

i drive slow too, but i'm good at being oblivious to people passing me cause i'm always blasting music. You should get a powerful stereo system with subwoofers and just cruise... to hell with everyone trying to drive fast and impatiently. also a good idea is to go driving really late, especially on the freeways, just to get some practice in and to get used to driving again. plus most people are tired at 2 or 3 am and are driving slowly anyway so it wouldn't make sense for them to trip out over you driving slowly. and it's fun .

 

[Iseesky]

Haha I think I'm going to make a CD of awesome rock music to take with me to blast. I was going to go quite early when the majority of people are sleeping/having breakfast. So that should help. Regardless...Still nervous! It helps when I think about all of the advantages I'll have when I have my full license, though!

 

[Aussie_Lad]

It is quite natural to be nervous while learning to drive.When I drove the first few times, I kept stalling because I would let the clutch out too quickly. This continued on / off for quite a while. Even after I got my license I was still nervous driving a manual. I had to drive my mums car by myself one day, and I was almost panicking until I started driving and it didn't turn out as bad as I thought.

Little tip for you: Driving instructors have seen everything. That is why the cars have dual controls, because inevitably they will have to take action to assist the learner driver get out of a situation.

Now days, I can drive in just about any situation without fear and it seems perfectly natural. I can even get behind the wheel in strange cars and I will quickly adjust to the differences. This is something you can get over too, you just need experience behind the wheel.

 

[Newtype]

I don't remember when I got my license. It was 17 or 18. I failed the driving test twice because I was too nervous and made some stupid mistakes. Blame SA. There's no way in hell I'm gonna be comfortable in a car with a stranger sitting beside me and judging me. Since I got my license, I haven't driven once and I'm 23. Because of those driving lessons, driving for me has become an unpleasant thing instead of a fun thing to do. I remember my parents forcing me to take driving lessons, forcing me to drive. They were comparing me to others, bringing me down. When I think of driving now, I think of all that negative stuff. It's like I have driving phobia ever since I got my license.

 

[Phoenixx]

I'm basically in the same position right now. I'll be turning 18 next Saturday and I still don't have my license. When I got my permit last summer, my mom even went out and bought a small, cheap car just for me to practice (And we needed another car anyway). Since then, I've only driven about a dozen times, if that.

Now, I'm not exactly a bad driver, I know the basics. But driving still doesn't come too naturally for me. My brother, who is only a year older, got his license when he was 17 and drives like a pro. He's always been a natural at it, it sucks it couldn't rub off on me.

I actually just drove yesterday for the first time in months. I still only drive on back roads and through very small towns where there's hardly any people around. I still can't drive on highways, cities, suburbs, anywhere there's quite a bit of people. I always get so anxious when I drive, constantly thinking that they're all watching me and judging me. I just become so tense all over and because I'm too worried about what other people are thinking, I can't drive with everyone around.

 

[Crumpal]

I plan on getting lessons with a driving instructor, but I want to at least know the basics so I don't look like an idiot in front of him. ::

This is the best thing you can do. Don't worry about looking like an idiot in front of him. That is what you're paying him to do - to watch you be an idiot, and help you correct your mistakes. Its hard to do that, I know, but its only for a short time, and then you'll have the confidence you need. Good luck!

 

[R3K]

another quick thing i'd like to add to this topic, as a great confidence-builder for getting out on the road...

GTA baby!

.

 

[Iseesky]

My goodness, Phoenixx...Crazy how our situations are so similar! Good luck to you on your driving! Don't give up. My mom always tells me, 'Kyla, it's good to have your license and be able to drive on your own. But, you don't have to. You can get it and then take the bus. But, it's important to have it when you need it.' Makes me feel better.

Thanks for your comments guys! Unfortunately I didn't get to see them before I drove for the first time. :|

But, I have driven twice since creating the post and I feel soooo much more comfortable with it than I ever have before. At first I was shaking as I put the key in. But, I quickly became comfortable and was doing left hand turns like a pro...In the less busy part of town anyway.

You're right...The instructor will have seen it all. And it makes me feel better that I have the freedom to take more risks because he also has control. Not dangerous risks, of course...But, you know...Go a little bit faster than turtle speed.

 

[FountainandFairfax]

Don’t be so hard on yourself, from what I’ve read over the years, learning to drive for most SA’s is sheer torture. I know it was for me, and for all the same reasons that you mentioned above (even the part about having a younger sibling that’s better at it than you are).

 

[pakistan]

driving is easy..its the B***** C*** ofa mind that F***** with the thought process and thus making driving a very enduring and painful task

 

[Psychedelicious]

Over and Over

I can definitely relate to you. I have had my learners permit since I was 15, and I recently turned 19 and still don't have a license. The most annoying part is I recently took my behind-the-wheel test a few days ago and failed, of course. It was the combination of me being incredibly nervous, and having a really bad instructor. It really doesn't help when someone is yelling at me. Then my permit expired, so I have to take the written test again before I can make another wheel appointment. So now I have to go into the DMV next week and wait for about 6 hours to take my test and get out, then make another wheel appointment which won't be for at least a month. It's a whole process, and I can't wait for it be over.

I don't even want to drive too much really. I mostly want a license for the sake of having one. I have been practicing so much lately, and I know what I'm doing for the most part. I still consider myself to be a bad driver, but then again there's so many bad drivers out there, and they got their license somehow didn't they? You just need to practice a lot, and it's going to be annoying, but you'll get there. I think it takes a lot of getting used to.

 

[Heekaru]

I don't want a drivers license because of this..

 

[IdeallyFearless]

I have a crazy driving anxiety too..it's really bothersome lately because it is getting in the way of my life! I always managed to live places where I did not have to drive and could just avoid it..but even now..my lawnmower ran out of gas and I am too chicken to drive to the darn gas station which is only a few miles away to get more!
the thing is, if someone is in the car with me, i do not feel as scared. I still hate the multi-lane highways, still get fearful of merging into traffic when there is not my own lane, or moving over several lanes to take an exit..there are all sorts of things that scare me..but its strange that with someone in the car, a lot of that becomes easier. If anyone with driving anxiety would like to be friends and talk more about it, i'd love that, my family tries to understand but i think they just think i am avoiding it..and yeah my little sister is better at it than me and that is a crappy feeling..but lots of my family had driving anxiety. i really want to get over this one..
its hard because it is one of the anxieties that makes ABSOLUTE SENSE. it really IS dangerous to drive- or can be. this makes it hard for me to rationalize myself into doing it because i know that if i am anxious on the highway alone, i am much more likely to crash and hurt someone or myself. it's a very frustrating problem.

 

[caringsoul]

i think u should let go of the anxiety of being a perfectionist, and admit you are not going to get it right at first, and ask the quesiton you want, learn what you need to know.. and get on with it. They being paid to teach you, so they know you aint gonna know your thing and the fact you havent drive for a year, is understanding. Just dont worry, im going to learn to drive soon.

 

[Iseesky]

I called the driving instructor (who seems so nice and taught my brother to drive and he's a great driver) and made an appointment. It's this thursday. I've been nervous for about a week now. Reading these comments over and over is helping...I know that he'll have seen absolutely terrible drivers and I don't think I'm too bad. Even if I am, he's a nice guy (who surprisingly I have no problem calling on the phone after talking to him once before) who wants to see me get my license.

 

[MollyBeGood]

Just looking for some last minute motivation before I go out driving with my dad tomorrow. Sounds silly, but I'm anxious about everything...including driving.

I've had my learner's permit since I turned 17, but have only driven 5, maybe 6 times since then. Yeah...can you believe that? I haven't driven in an entire year.

I have my very own car as well. I thought it would motivate me to want to drive. Nope! My younger brothers and parents use it. -_-

My main fear is not getting injured or injuring someone else (though, I do fear that still...), but what people will think of me. Do my parents secretly think I'm a hopeless driver? Are other drivers mocking how I complete my turns? And it KILLS me when I get passed. My mom tries to reassure me and calls the people jerks who are in a hurry to get nowhere...But then I'm down on myself for the rest of the drive thinking that I'm going too slow and that I shouldn't even bother trying...

I just really don't like it. Driving just doesn't come naturally to me, I guess. My brothers have taken to it amazingly. My brother is younger than me and can already drive without an adult. He was almost perfect at it the first time he drove.

Blah. I just wish I had the money to hire a driver. They could drive me around.

Anyone struggling with this as well? Or have you struggled with this in the past?

I plan on getting lessons with a driving instructor, but I want to at least know the basics so I don't look like an idiot in front of him. ::

i learned to drive when i was 19. (I had a bf up until then w/ a car so I didn't need to drive) I was super scared so much so I remember my leg shaking on the gas pedal every time I went out. I only went out about 4 times before I took the test and I was so amazed I passed LoL I didn't have my own car for about another 6 months then I got a stick shift so had to learn that and once I got the hang of it, which did take awhile, I slowly got more comfortable. It takes time. Be patient and it's normal to be nervous.
It will absolutely become like riding a bike to you after a yr or so.

 

[Remus]

I have this with cars but not with motorbikes, strange really as motorbikes are far more lethal if you are involved in a crash.

 

[mackayfire]

I have major driving anxiety. I was fine learning to drive when one of my parents was in the car with me, I could handle anything. Then I got my restricted and the first time I drove on my own I had a panic attack waiting at the lights and I haven't driven alone since. My panic attacks have gotten worse since then and it makes driving impossible. It's getting stuck at traffic lights or in some situation where I know I can't escape easily without making a fuss that gives me anxiety.

 

[WeirdyMcGee]

I wouldn't feel so bad about not having a license, really~
Most of my friends in the city don't have their licenses into their 30's and 40's- so it's not that uncommon.

Driving is all about feeling comfortable, so just try not to stress about it too much and get as much practice as you can manage. The more practice, the better!

Hopefully I'll be able to get my license back soon- I need money to do that though; and I am dirt poor. haha
Then I'll be driving my mom's manual car, which will be nice but I haven't driven manual much since I was 15. XD