First driving lesson and scared 😨

[Samlou78]

I have a driving lesson tomorrow.
I'm 42 and tried in the past but never got past one or two lessons because I'm so scared. I have anxiety and a fear of being in traffic. I desperately want to overcome this and feel life would be so much easier if I could drive (family lives 100 miles away and so much hassle getting there on public transport not to mention hideously expensive train fares for me and the children)
When i booked the one off lesson it was so I could see how I get on but now it's tomorrow I already feel sick and got upset tummy.
I know you'll probably say what's the point if so scared but I don't want the fear to win!
Has anyone else been scared and overcome it and if so, how?

Good luck OP! I didn't share your specific anxieties, but was very nervous learning to drive, particularly as at the time I couldn't ride a bike or do much "practical" stuff.

I'd say make sure your instructor knows about your anxiety - they may have seen it before and know how to help. It takes most people about 40 hours of lessons (I think) before they're test-ready, so don't worry if the first one is crap.

If you really think you can't do it, maybe consider some therapy to get to the bottom of your traffic anxiety before you start again?

The worst part of learning to drive is changing gears . Why not go for lessons in an automatic car. Cuts out all the messing about with gears and cars are heading that way anyway .
The electric cars and hybrid vehicles that are going to be the norm by 2030 are automatic already so you will probably buy an automatic car anyway.
I also took Kalms before my test to help the anxiety . Good luck !

Good luck!

I was so scared, funny story my first lesson was in the business park where I worked, my supervisor ended up pulling up beside the car I was (parked) in and beeped the horn waved and drove off, I was mortified.

Biting point with the clutch takes a bit of getting used to but persevere . I always said I'd only learn automatic but I love changing gears (weird I know).

I never actually wanted to drive until I saw my brothers driving to further afield shopping centres and I thought that's what I want to do 🤣

I love driving, the freedom, the ability to just pick up and leave .

I'm someone that epically fails exams through nerves, I passed first time with only 4 minors on my driving test, that was nearly 8 years ago, driving is just second nature now .

Thank you. My lesson is with automatic car as I knew gears might stress me out too much.
I'll make sure to tell him that I'm anxious about it as soon as I get in the car.
The freedom and ferrying kids around and travelling are all what makes me want to do it. Wish I'd done it when I was younger and not so messed up