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Original poster

Too scared to drive

22 replies

Cantchoosenickname · 06/01/2019 20:27

I passed my test a couple of weeks ago but am too scared to drive. I have access to a car I can use whenever I want to but I just can’t do it. The few times I have been out (quiet, with passenger) I’ve felt more nervous than when I was taking lessons!

Anyone got any useful tips as to how I can get over this please?

OP posts:

PurpleDaisies · 06/01/2019 20:28

Just keep doing it. It gets better.

PurpleDaisies · 06/01/2019 20:28

Sorry, that sounds really blunt! The more you drive, the easier it gets. You’ll get there.

Lavender00 · 06/01/2019 20:30

A lot of people are the same when they first pass. I was. I used to put my favourite music on and sing to calm my nerves! Just keep doing it

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NerrSnerr · 06/01/2019 20:34

You just need to keep driving and do it regularly. I hated driving but drove almost every day and it got better. 10 years on it's fine and I can drive anywhere.

SpoonBlender · 06/01/2019 21:09

Keep driving. Try it without a passenger - that means you can have your full attention focused on the job, without distraction by either talking to or feeling judged by your passenger :)

You could also call up your instructor and ask for a few more lessons. It'd certainly be worth being trained for motorways, for example - they're much quicker and safer than any other roads.

Acerbics · 06/01/2019 21:21

I found it easier to drive without a passenger.

It's a matter of keeping at it - I had terrible nerves until I had an interview an hour down the motorway and that cured me of a lot of my fears, because I had no choice but to go by myself and tackle the lit.

I then had an accident with a lorry about a year into driving and silly as it sounds, it cured me of all my other fears as nothing as scary could happen again any time soon.

I have driven to a new place today I didn't even know, and after 2 years, it's been the first time completely without any nerves. It does get better.

Original poster

Cantchoosenickname · 06/01/2019 21:31

Thank you for all of your replies

I was going to drive to work tomorrow but it’s quite a busy route and I’m already feeling very stressed about it so I think I’ll just get the bus as usual instead. I’ve been on that road so many times but with my instructor, I don’t feel I can drive it by myself.

I feel quite disappointed in myself because I’ve spent so much time/money on getting here and I just don’t want to drive now.

I’ll try again next weekend and see if it helps being alone.

OP posts:

Believeitornot · 06/01/2019 21:32

Drive tomorrow.

Don’t get the bus!! If you get the bus you’ll find another reason to put it off.

potatoscone · 06/01/2019 21:34

Drive. You have no reason to get the bus. Leave half an hour earlier than normal, have a quick drive around immediate neighbourhood and then set off with still a good 20 mins extra time. No panic, no rushing, time to stop if needs be.

SpoonBlender · 06/01/2019 21:36

Seconded on drive tomorrow - got to get back into it, or it'll build up into a mountain that's even harder to get over.

Bunnybigears · 06/01/2019 21:39

Leave for work early. Pick a place on your route you can stop so you don't have to make it into work in one go like a McDonalds or a Supermarket. Get a drink or somethng then continue into work. Everything is easier when broken down into smaller goals.

WeShouldBeFriends · 06/01/2019 21:40

It would be totally nuts to take the bus

NerrSnerr · 06/01/2019 21:41

I agree, drive tomorrow. The longer you leave it the worse it'll be and you'll never drive.

I cried every journey for about a week, my knuckles throbbed all day as I was gripping the wheel so hard but it got better and after a while I realised I wasn't scared anymore.

Sarahandduck18 · 06/01/2019 21:43

Go to a quiet area and do some extra practice

DragginBallsEEEE · 06/01/2019 21:53

Oh this is totally me.

I passed in October then didn't have a car til mid November so by the time I got driving again I was so nervous that I went nowhere without my partner. Even now I won't go far but have used the excuse that the roads are mayhem with Xmas shoppers, there's no parking spaces etc etc. So I've made it my mission to go driving every single morning when the kids start back at school tomorrow.

To be honest I find driving on my own much less stressful than having someone in the car as there's nobody there to witness any little mishaps I might have and then commenting on them. I'm aware of when I make a little mistake but can learn from it rather than have someone pointing it out then going on about it.

Don't get the bus tomorrow, you know the route just go for it, I promise that you will be buzzing with yourself once you get there and get parked.

Original poster

Cantchoosenickname · 06/01/2019 22:17

I wish I had as much confidence in myself as what you all seem to have in me! Honestly, I’ve had a lot of lessons, I passed my test first time. I should be able to do this, I just don’t feel like a confident driver. It’s encouraging to know that lots of other people feel like I do though, everyone else seems to be able to just get in their car and go somewhere.

draggin good luck with your drive tomorrow! Let me know how it goes!

OP posts:

TaighNamGastaOrt · 06/01/2019 22:35

ha, I was the same. passed in june, was too scared to drive tho. eventually, i took our car round the block. the next night round the block again and so on, going a little further each time. at quiet times.
now i can do the school run and go to tesco but i still havent got the confidence to go to the bigger city.
Just take it in little steps! go yourself, its the only way you'll gain confidence making your own decisions. i refuse to drive with my dh-he can't help but comment on how he would drive (faster than me!).
good luck!

Original poster

Cantchoosenickname · 07/01/2019 16:07

I bit the bullet and drove today. Wasn’t as bad as I’d built it up to be in my head, I felt a lot calmer without a passenger!

OP posts:

BusterTheBulldog · 07/01/2019 16:09

Well done!!

minipie · 07/01/2019 16:17

Well done! I am a nervous driver - I passed years ago at 18 and then never drove till my 30s (always lived in big cities), and even then only bits and bobs, so in reality I’m only as experienced as a teenager.

My top tip: I find a good sat nav helps a lot especially with unfamiliar routes. Also I talk to myself out loud like I’m my own instructor “you’re going right, so you’ll need to change lanes soon, check mirror, indicate, check again, move across...” Definitely better without a passenger so you’re not trying to appear all casual and confident

Lavender00 · 07/01/2019 19:44

Brilliant well done. Keep going x

DragginBallsEEEE · 08/01/2019 23:55

Yessss @Cantchoosenickname well done!!

I did it too, I went off yesterday morning with the intention of doing one of the bigger routes and was so chuffed with myself that I did a second and then a third! All different routes that I know I will use lots so definitely useful for me. I was so happy driving along with my music on and just me in the car. Different route today and will be doing some more tomorrow.

So glad you did it, try not to let the fear hold you back, we can't get any better if we don't try!!

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