If you used to be scared of driving… how did you overcome that?

[Idratherbewithmycat]

And is it so crazy to just give it up instead?
I don’t need to drive on a daily basis but do acknowledge that my life would be easier in certain situations if I had the freedom to drive to places.
I got my licence over 20 yrs ago, never needed to drive as I lived in London. Did a few refresher lessons last year and it got better but haven’t driven for almost 10 months now and I feel back to the start. I am particularly scared pf driving if DD is in the car for example. How do I overcome this? And do I have to overcome this? I don’t want to send DD the message that driving is dangerous and that I had given up because I was scared but equally, I am scared and struggle to just get on with it!

My driving anxiety got so bad I stopped unfortunately. I drove every day for decades with it and faced it head on but it never got better, just worse. I tried cbt and 2 different hypnotherapists but it didn't work.
I wish it had as I get frustrated with myself and life would be easier if I could drive.
I sold my car in the end.
I know this doesn't help you op, but sometimes it's not as easy as just get in the car and drive

Small car to start with and maybe an automatic may help?
Simple short journeys at quieter times .
Using a satnav.
Having some relaxing music or the radio on.
Not having another adult passenger (who might be judging me!)
Maybe a few more lessons?
But really its practice practice practice.
I hated driving initially but i now enjoy it. But it took a very long time to get to this stage and im still not keen on long distance unfamilar journeys.
Driving is a great skill and its hard to pass your test so it would be a shame to give it up. But if i lived in central london with excellent transport links and terrible traffic i dont think id drive much either.

Absolutely this

Pls can you link to any of these? Thanks

For me it was because I never really felt in control of the car. I knew I wasn't driving it 'perfectly', and I was scared of stalling and getting flustered, I hated changing gear, and managing the mechanics of the car took so much of my attention I couldn't focus on the road as well. I did pass my test in a manual so I could technically do it, but I felt unsafe.

As soon as I started driving an automatic - literally the first time I drove it - I felt so much more comfortable and safe driving. The car basically drove itself, so I could concentrate on the road. I could drive fine when I was in a car park by myself without any other cars around me, and I could read the road fine, but I couldn't do both at once.

Very specific, but I got over it because I was without a washing machine for a while so I was driving my laundry to my parents’ house to do it there. I had two small children at the time so loads of washing.

Doing a very short distance two or three times a week built my confidence back up and now I would say I’m reasonably confident behind the wheel, although there are certain situations that I haven’t really had to practice on that would make me nervous - motorways with lots of lanes, country lanes where you have to reverse to a passing place if there’s oncoming traffic, parallel parking…

I do still get a bit freaked out by slip roads as well, and timing of moving into the next lane along to let other cars in.

Thanks all for sharing your stories.
I think I will boom 4 or 5 refresher leasons and then will have to force myself to use the car regularly for small trips to the local gym or supermarket and take it from there.
I am determined to not let my fear stop me as I can totally see how being unable to drive can impact my life on a practical level, especially with DC growing older and needing to go to parties, clubs, playdates etc.

I found like others that when I moved to an automatic that made a big difference — one less thing to focus on. Also when I then had to commute to work a couple of times a week that helped to improve my confidence. I found (and still do) using Google maps to map out my route beforehand very helpful. I still get anxious now, but it’s mainly on trips where i’m going somewhere new for the first time, or not familiar with the roads.

Tbh I think I’ll always have a bit of driving anxiety, but it’s just trying not to let it take over and not to get too worked up with how people behave on the roads.