Scared of driving

[Daisychainsandglitter]

I passed my test last month but I haven't yet been on the motorway and am jot very confident.
I need to go to a village just outside Stratford upon Avon tomorrow for work from Birmingham. When I look at the sat nav I could leave my house in south Birmingham but do it all on A roads but the Sat back seems to be programming to take me down tiny country roads from Henley in Arden.
I'm feeling really panicked now and my husbands in a mood with me saying that I won't listen to where he's trying to tell me to go to get there without going down the country lanes.
I've almost bottled it now and am debating working in the office in Birmingham city centre tomorrow and then getting a train and taxi.
I'm not sure what to do. Feeling really angry with myself and emotional because I'm so worried.
If I try and fail I don't know how I'll get to my meeting. Can anyone help calm me down?

Sorry for all the typos!

You'll be fine. Just set off super early so you have lots of time and are not rushed. Sat navs are usually very good.

You can book a motorway lesson with an instructor usually, but honestly once you've done it for the first time it's easy. I remember being really nervous the first time too. Why not do a practice run early on Sunday morning when there is hardly any traffic on the motorway.

Check the settings on your sat nav to make sure you haven't programmed in avoiding A roads, or motorways etc

Sorry just realised you said tomorrow not next week. Just set off really early and take your time. It will be fine.

My meeting is tomorrow. I wasn't too panicked until my husband started talking me through the route now I'm sat in my room in tears because I just don't think I can do it

As a one off could you use Google maps on your phone and choose the "avoid motorways" option?

Also remember every single driver has driven on the motorway for the first time x x

Sat Navs do try to take u on tbe mot6. Go on the A rds,write it down. Once u are far enough from the motorway it will stop trying to make u go on it. It will re route. Lots of people don't like the motor6. Long term book some motorway lessons. As for your OH take nk notice what he has got to say.

Motorway not motor6.

You can do it. It's not as bad as you fear. Just take it slow and steady. You will be fine.

@Daisychainsandglitter Hello from another south Birmingham poster! I’m not a massive fan of driving but honestly, I find motorways a million times better than those country lanes! Once you’ve merged on, it’s just straight line driving. But otherwise, the train option sounds good for tomorrow and you can practice motorways for next time. Don’t get yourself worked up. Either option, leave plenty of time and you’ll be ok.

I've been there!! And I'm now a pretty confident driver of 15 years. You have just got to take your time, don't rush, don't over think things, and once you're in the swing of things, it'll get easier every time, trust me!

Everyone feels like this at some point. Give yourself loads of time to get there and it'll be fine. I moved from where I learned to drive (small town) to working with a commute going into a big city. For years I refused to attempt driving in ie when the trains were off because I 'couldn't do' the roads or the multistorey carpark. Then covid happened and I didn't have a choice. It's absolutely fine now but the first few times I was a wreck. I'd be driving 10years by that point! Honestly it'll be ok.

Honestly, you are overthinking it, you’ve passed a test for a reason as you are a competent capable driver. You just need to keep at it, don’t overthink your trip and just get on with it!!!

Thank you you're all very kind. I am feeling so stressed and annoyed with myself it took me two years of lessons to pass. I am just not very confident.

While you're gaining confidence plan your route without the sat nav so it can't take you anywhere you don't want to go. When I first started driving I'd write on an A4 piece of paper

First exit roundabout
Left church lane (Tesco on left before turn)
Over two mini roundabouts
Etc etc.

If I got lost I pulled over and looked on google maps to figure out the rest of the way (didn't happen often).

I was a horrendously nervous driver at first but I have got to the stage of putting sat nav on and going without a second thought.

Just take the train. It's not worth getting upset and stressed about it. 💐
Then either book motorway lessons or just go out for short drives in the country and on motorways to build your confidence.

I usually write it down too. Bit of blue tac to secure to dashboard. 🙄classic fm on low in the background. X

Just drive on the motorway, for goodness sake, they're much easier roads to navigate than A roads and country roads.

If you're feeling emotional & panicked at the idea of driving, you shouldn't be driving full stop.

@Daisychainsandglitter How did you get on?!

Thanks for asking @Retrievemysanity I was pathetic- completely bottled it and got the train. The terrible rain yesterday was the final death knell.
I am definitely going to take up some of the advice on this thread and am going to do some motorway lessons to help me with my confidence. I will get there.
Thank you for your kind words and advice.

Aww, I did look at the rain and feel for you because it was so bad! I don’t blame you for getting the train. But honestly, you’ll be absolutely fine with the motorway driving.