DP is refusing to drive, after doing it previously

[Fantatwist23]

Both me and my DP drive , when we first met he would happily drive me and him around but I would also share the load.
Now in recent years, especially since having our son he refuses to drive, he says he hates it and it gives him panic attacks.
The only reason he learnt to drive in the first place was to shut his parents up and they paid for a crash course for him.
He's actually a very careful and contentious driver, he’s never had an accident, so I don’t really understand it.
He cycles to work, which involves being on the road (which I think seems much scarier) and if he really HAS to drive he will do, but it’s a massive issue beforehand.
He said he’d rather walk, cycle or get public transport. He’s a keen walker.
But lots of places we visit are not accessible by public transport or by foot. I also want our DS to go places on days out like I did as a child - National trust, zoos etc.
We also live fairly rurally so it’s becoming a problem and I’m getting resentful. He won’t talk about it really either, so it’s like the elephant in the room most of the time.

The main issue is whether you’re doing a lot much more for the family than he is, due to his lack of driving. Is he picking up the slack in other ways?

Living rurally and not driving can be awkward unless you have good public transport options. As your DS gets older, he might want to do clubs that he needs driving to and you’ll have to take him every time.

To some extent fair enough- particularly if he can drive in an emergency. However make sure you don’t pick up the slack and become his taxi service. If he wants to go somewhere and you are not going - it’s on him to get there and back. Likewise ferrying child around - he takes him on public transport / cycle whatever. It does NOT mean you do it all the time. ‘It will only take you 10 mins in the car’. ‘Yes, it will only take YOU 10 mins in the car too. Personally I hate driving but I do it because my life would be too limited without it. He needs to get help to overcome the anxiety IMO.

@ThatsNotMyTeen that’s unkind I doubt he wants to have panic attacks over driving. While it’s a lot on OPs shoulders if he does get them he needs to get some therapy. He also needs to keep driving so he’s available in an emergency.

My friend won’t drive on motorways anymore and though I said maybe she just needs to practice she firmly feels it’s not possible. She has panic attacks, not related to driving, but feels incredibly anxious about motorway driving.