To think I'm not cut out for driving for work

[Butisntthatwhatyousaidlasttime]

I've been doing it for a few months now and inciuding the commute from home to the first location, i drove 50 miles today, I'm driving up to 300 miles a week in various locations but whilst I don't want to give up driving, I don't feel this is sustainable.

I passed my test 5 months ago and whilst it's good practice, I wonder if this is maybe too much for a fairly new driver? I was in minor collision recently and whilst there were no injuries or serious damage, it's knocked my confidence and I feel a bit nervous. I've had a couple of scratches on my car too since starting this job.
I feel ashamed and inadequate, a friend made a sly comment which was meant to be a joke but upset me a little. However this friend drives up to 3 miles a day most days and has a newer car with parking cameras and driver assist features, i have none of those.

I don't mind the actual work but maybe would be better to do it in one location, aibu to give it up?

It's an old car, I'm not bothered per se about a couple of scratches but feeling like I'm driving too much and potentially not cut out for it if I've already got them. The friend tried to compare herself to me, but if she is only completing 5 minute drives using driver assist features then it feels unfair.

The collision has obviously and understandably put you off. 50 miles a day isn't very much driving. The more you do, the more confident you'll feel. Keep it up.

Maybe it isn't much but it seems to be more than many people I know, and it's not one straight drive it's constant stop start and parking in various locations. I'll have to have a think about it.

It's a bad time of year with the clock change

Yes it's probably not helping, and so many aggressive impatient drivers on the road who are too busy texting. I was overtaken today on a single carriageway as I had dared to only do 20 mph on a 20 road, and the driver behind was furious they had to actually stick to the limit, so whizzed past the first chance they got doing god knows what speed.

Don’t give up. You’ll be a better driver for all the miles. Your friend has got under your skin plus the knock. Practice makes perfect as they say.

keep on with it, if you stop that will be it.

And if idiot drivers over take- let them. It’s them, not you. Don’t worry so much about others and focus on you.

OP I passed my test at 17 many years ago (I’m mid 50s now) and used to drive around 300 miles a week as I had a job I used to commute to on Monday and return on Friday. I had the odd accident ( thank god insurance wasn’t as much as it is now) but honestly I think it was the best thing for me. I drive lots now on any roads, in any country (love driving abroad), with any vehicle much more than a lot of peers my age. Yes an accident knocks your confidence with good reason as I think it makes you realise that you or other drivers can do things unintentionally and therefore you anticipate much more. Don’t give up as driving is a skill which improves the more you do.

It’s normal for your confidence to take a knock after an accident, and it’s fine to decide that the current set up doesn’t work for you and begin job hunting for somewhere closer / roles which don’t involve driving. It would be “unreasonable” to just pack in a job with nothing else to go to if your household relies on your income, beyond that there’s no “unreasonable” about a personal life choice.

Might a few additional lessons, or some practice at the things you’re finding difficult which have led to you scratching your car help? If you can afford it, an advanced driving course can also be really good for gaining higher level hazard perception and better road craft.

The more you drive, the easier it becomes, stick at it and you'll be fine

I wouldn’t pack the job in without having something else lined up.

Seriously stick at it. You will become a much better driver for it. People who pass and then never venture more than 20 mins in either direction of their house make for terrible drivers in my experience. I average 1100 miles a week, I go all over the place and I’m not phased by any of it. Experience is SO important for driving!

While id hate to drive for a living, I really dont think the distances you are currently doing are particularly long. FWIW, Ive done 170 miles today, and typically drive 400 miles a week (it will be closer to 600 this week).
On top of that, i do a FT job not including any driving.

That said, if its too much for you, find another job. Driving places you don't want to won't do you any favors.

Thanks, yes I wouldn't quit without having another job first as I couldn't afford to financially.
I know 50 a day isn't much compared to what others are doing, but then it is compared to people who are driving 2 miles away and back. I'll have a think about it.

Nah don't pack it in OP. People are allowed to overtake, it doesn't mean they are 'furious', just impatient. That's ok, just focus on your own driving and try and not worry too much about what others do.

I'd personally stick at it. I was a very inexperienced driver for the first three years after getting my license precisely because I had very little reason to drive for more than 20 minutes. Even less reason to learn parallel parking properly as literally just parked on a drive, supermarket or office carpark. Used a motorway twice in all this time. I then suddenly became homeless with zero warning and had to drive up and down the country several times a week to the next available friend with a sofa bed. Some of them lived remotely, some in the inner city so a huge variety of locations and circumstances to navigate. I made more progress with my driving skills in a month than I did in three years previously. You absolutely have to force yourself into being uncomfortable.
I wouldn't chose to drive for a living but it definitely helps with skill and confidence.

i read somewhere that we should practice reverse parking

Audiobooks are your friend. I love driving on my own as it's the only time I get to listen in peace.

The more driving you do, the more it becomes second nature and your confidence will increase.

I rode a moped at 16 as otherwise I had no way of getting from our village to work & college.
At 17 I got a motorcycle and did not progress to a car until I was 18/19.
I was covering huge mileages (on my moped alone I covered over 12k miles in the first year and as time went on I was covering 20-30k miles PA, mostly for fun, visiting friends, weekends away etc) and yes, roads may have been different then but believe me, it was just as scary for a novice rider/driver.

I agree with the PP about audiibooks.
I have a CD player Bluetoothed to the car audio system so I can still listen to my extensive collection of audio CD's.