If you have overcome being an anxious driver..

[Ellopal]

Please give me stories of hope and how you did it.

I have a licence and access to a car (although it’s a bigger than I would like). I’ve gone through phases of driving good distances so I know deep down I can do it. That said, I have never ever been able to shake the dread and anxiety when I’m behind the wheel.

I can currently get away with not driving but I know it’s holding me (and more importantly DD) back. I just want to be able to get in the car and go to wherever I want and not obsess about it for days beforehand or talk myself out of it.

does anyone have any tips? Or is this just a feeling I have to live with?

Practice practice practice.

Get driving lessons (I took 6 extra after passing test, after a break).

Ask for feedback (go for a drive with a good friend and ask for feedback at the end, not while you're driving).

Notice other drivers and what they do, notice the mistakes they make and that you would have done differently.

Learn niche things off YouTube that most people don't know these days, like snow tire fitting and opening the bonnet and checking this that and the other.

Chat to people about their cars and don't let on you're anxious. Learn about cars and roads.

Don't doom scroll about accidents.

I overcame it.