How do you get over a fear of driving?

I've had my license since I was about 18 or 19. I've driven for practice purposes only. NEVER alone. Basically, I am getting to a point where I will need to be driving by the time we buy a house and have a family. It's a must! I really want to drive, I just get anxiety when I do. What can I do? I really want to get my own car soon but I am so terrified. What is a nice, compact car that is good for a new driver. I know I should be able to drive anything but I think I would feel more in control to start off in something smaller.
TIA!

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Start off small... drive in public parking lots and side streets that are less traveled.

The more you drive the more comfortable you'll get.

Ooops! I missed the part about looking for a car!

I would recommend a mini cooper. From what I know they're VERY safe and great on gas. Plus they're cute looking!

Message edited 8/26/2008 10:44:22 AM.

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

toyota Yaris. its small, safe, great on gas, and not to expensive.

maybe you can go to the beach and pratice driving around there, maybe like robert mosses and then you can drive on the roads around there without to many drivers, and you can pratice parking in spots, which IMO is the hardest part, that so many people cannot do even after years of drving.

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

I have no idea, I STILL don't drive on highways and I have had had my own car for almost 8 years now!!

Good Luck though!!!!!!

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

I have the same problem. I need to start taking DS to after school activities and appointments. DH can't really take anymore days off to take us. He is the primary driver in our house.

What I've been doing is driving to local places. I stay on the side streets. I haven't gotten on the highway yet. Just the thought freaks me out.

I try to drive somewhere everyday. I started with DH in the car, then move up to driving somewhere by myself. Soon you will be doing it without second thinking it.

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Posted by MrsF519

Posted by Jennie0898

Start off small... drive in public parking lots and side streets that are less traveled.

The more you drive the more comfortable you'll get.

See..I've tried that. I live very close to my work place and I've driven home from work with my Dh and I do fine (according to him) I just have this fear that I will cause a 10 car pile up

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Posted by Tilde

I have no idea, I STILL don't drive on highways and I have had had my own car for almost 8 years now!!

Good Luck though!!!!!!

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

You know what is a GREAT drive? Drive down Crossbay Blvd all the way into Broad Channel. That way you have to drive a little faster and you can practice switching lanes and stuff.

Everyone keeps telling me to drive the few exits to Erskine St and then back on the Belt but the thought makes me physically ill

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

I would stick with a smaller car until you are comfortable and start by driving where there isnt that much traffic. Get used to the car, etc. Then slowly move up.

GOod Luck

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Posted by Tilde

You know what is a GREAT drive? Drive down Crossbay Blvd all the way into Broad Channel. That way you have to drive a little faster and you can practice switching lanes and stuff.

Everyone keeps telling me to drive the few exits to Erskine St and then back on the Belt but the thought makes me physically ill

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Here is my driving history.

I failed my first road test, passed my second and got a car.

I decided that I couldn't drive on Crossbay Blvd so I would drive to work ( Waldbaum's ) but park on the street because I also decided that I couldn't pull out of a spot in a parking lot.

Then, I had to go to college. My first day at St. John's was my first day on Crossbay Blvd. I had an afternoon class but I left in the morning and I hyperventilated the whole way there. I parked on the street and ran out every two hours to put quarters in the meter.

After getting a parking ticket because I couldn't get out of class in time, I decided to park in the lot but would only go early so I could "pull through" a spot and I wouldnt have to back out after - waited HOURS for my classes to start.

Now, eight years later, I am okay on Crossbay blvd and I drive on Atlantic ave every day. I can park in parking lots but I have a VERY hard time parallel parking. . . and still no highways.

SO yea, you are not alone Next year DH is in a few weddings and I am trying to get out of going, even though I love the couples, because I have NO idea how I am going to get there!!!

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Also try driving early in the morning on the weekends, when there is less traffic. Driving at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning is waaay different than driving at 2 in the afternoon. Granted, you might not have anywhere to go at 8:00 a.m., but at least you'll get practice.

Once you get comfortable with the feel of the car and your surroundings, then you'll eventually get comfortable with the other drivers on the road.

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

practice alot

thats the only way

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Posted by StayForever

Also try driving early in the morning on the weekends, when there is less traffic. Driving at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning is waaay different than driving at 2 in the afternoon. Granted, you might not have anywhere to go at 8:00 a.m., but at least you'll get practice.

Once you get comfortable with the feel of the car and your surroundings, then you'll eventually get comfortable with the other drivers on the road.

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

To be blunt, you have to keep driving to get over the fear of driving! I got my first drivers license when I was 17, living on LI etc, I drove tons, I drove all over LI, into NYC on a regular basis, I was what I would call a very confident driver.

Then in 1999, I married my husband and moved to England, I didn't learn to drive because a) my husband made driving look really really difficult, and B) all those roundabouts and driving on the wrong side of the road was just too freaky for me, not to mention that I didn't know how to drive a car with a manual transmission. And then the chance of a new job came up after living here without driving for five years and the catch was....I had to learn to drive or else take two busses and travel for 90 minutes to go about 6 miles away. So I bit the bullet and started taking driving lessons. So I took lessons for like 5 months, took my test AND FAILED! 17 years of driving experience and I FAILED!!
So I perservered, took more lessons and finally, after another two months, and I finally passed my test.

So, the moral of the story is, you just have to get in that car and keep driving, face your fears right in the eye and just drive.

One thing that kept me sane was looking at people in cars and thinking to myself, bloody hell, they look thick as pig sh1t and they can drive, if they can do it...I CAN!!

Anyway, hope that helps, you have to just drive and get more experience. Good Luck!

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Posted by MrsF519

Posted by Tilde

I have no idea, I STILL don't drive on highways and I have had had my own car for almost 8 years now!!

Good Luck though!!!!!!

Oh forget highways!!!!
I am freakin out about driving down crossbay blvd! Can you imagine a highway?

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

I know exactly how you feel. I've taken driving lessons in the past and driven here and there but I'm terrified. I was working in the city and just got a job in Long Island so that I can be closer to home, yet a 25 min drive is an hour commute because I refuse to drive and am taking public transportation. It's almost the same as commuting to the city. It's ridiculous almost.

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

Honestly practice will help, and I have to say I am actually MORE confident driving when I'm alone--no distractions from a passenger, no passenger judging you if you make tiny mistakes...I am a much better driver alone!

As for a car, I have a Toyota Corolla and it's great--small, but still big enough to have passengers in the back seat!

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

I started driving about a year ago also, though I have had my license since 18, mainly for ID.

DH went with me initially and we practiced in a parking lot next to a pool (it was winter, so it was empty). Then we started leaving the lot and driving around the block, then progressed to driving on a fairly quiet road in the area. At some point, I started driving without him (though with my infant son, which was harder still).

Even now a year later, if I'm driving someplace new for an appt., I often do a practice run with DH if I'm hitting roads I don't know. I just feel better. But, with time and practice it just gets easier and easier. Plus many drives you do will be the same route, so you get to know the roads very well.

Find some quieter places to drive initially and go with DH. Don't try to go to a really crowded area like some malls, or the LIE right away. I wouldn't even hit a highway until you feel comfortable driving at 40 mph.

I understand how you feel though, I was really scared starting out.

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

I'm in pretty much the same situation. I drove by myself a little in college, for my summer job, but I got in 1 accident that was not my fault, and then my parents wouldn't let me take the car anymore, and now they wonder why I won't drive.

DH tried to take me to practice, but I had a panic attack an an intersection right in front of the parking lot I was dring to drive to.

Even though I have a license, I am considering taking lessons with a driving school, eventually.

I have a fear of left turns, peopel coming into my lane, merging, and large trucks & buses. Westchester is lousy with those double-long accordian buses! HATE those!

I even make a bad passenger.

Message edited 8/26/2008 2:21:10 PM.

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Message edited 3/26/2010 8:59:40 PM.

Re: How do you get over a fear of driving?

My mom used to project her fear of city driving upon us kids.Then one day I found that I NEEDED to do it. So I did a practice run and now I love city driving! Just practice.