Driving anxiety should I sell car ?

[Calsmum2]

Hi please can I have some advice
passed my test first time 10 years ago then got a small hatchback manual a few months in I had a little bump in a car park ( bollard ) and gave the car and driving up due to this and also cost . Less than a year of having car.

I went a few years without driving which was ok as we lived in a city . However a few years ago we moved to rural coastal location and it played on my mind lack of buses etc so saved up a decent amount and last year bought a newish car ( automatic)

The car is a small suv type so bigger than my first little manual however it’s a ok size with camera etc . It’s more I get anxiety when driving like few sick and sweaty , I think it’s more I worry about all the idiots on the road than my own ability.
I also panic about if a tyre goes or breakdown etc , ( I’m in green flag ) I’m unsure why it happens as if I get a lift by someone I don’t worry at all.

I’m trying to plan days out over the summer hols to wildlife parks etc no bus goes direct to them so driving is only option unless bus then walk down dangerous country roads etc . Just feeling like should I sell the car and use the money for taxis etc or should I try and do this driving for my kids to get out and about ?

feel abit of a let down parent right now and unsure what to do

By any chance was the person who drove most when you were growing up a complete arsehole behind the wheel?

I have a few friends who had this kind of anxiety, and two gave up driving for years because of it. They all had fathers who seemed reasonable people until you got in a car with them. At that point they'd become World's Best Driver and shout and curse about the mistakes that everyone else on the road was making.

Anyway, the ones who gave up both ended up behind the wheel again after refresher lessons and are both good, safe drivers.

Might just be a coincidence, but I can't help feel that those arsehole men really undermined their daughters and set them up for failure before they even got to sit a test.

I used to be exactly the same OP.

I had hypnotherapy and use satnav now and it’s been life changing.

I still HATE driving. I really really hate it. But it doesn’t hold that power over me anymore.

Thank you all for taking the time to advise.

I'm going to stick at it and just keep trying to drive more , I’ll also look into refresher lesson for confidence.

I had refresher lessons after not driving for years, it’s really worth it.

You could get up at 5am and start going for drives.

Practice does (helps) make perfect. A PP's suggestion to listen to the turn by turn directions does keep you focused and not thinking about the "what ifs."

I realize this is a bit off topic, but In the USA you csn get a learners permit at 14 (I think it's 16 now), and can drive accompanied by someone teaching you the basics, acceleration and deceleration, parking, etc., until you pass your test. You are also studying the Drivers Manual. Each State has their own criteria ands exam. I love the freedom that comes with driving, taking the kids on outings, etc. My average mileage is only around 3,000/year.

I don't know if it's the Mumsnet community, which I realize is a small slice of British life, but learning to drive, and driving in general seems to be an overwhelming task for many, and not a totally common thing. In many posts only one partner drives, the other relying on them to ferry them around. This would drive me nuts. We have bus systems but routes not always practical. Is it an arduous task to get a license?