Overcoming the Fear of Driving

For some people, they can’t wait for the day that they learn to drive. They feel like they have been waiting their whole life to get behind the wheel, and as soon as they are legally able to, they jump on the opportunity. For others, it is the complete opposite. They dread learning to drive, and they try to put it off as much as possible. This is understandable. It is something new, and it is not something that everyone feels comfortable with. Plus, there are some people that have had bad experiences, which puts them off even more. Nonetheless, in today’s world, learning to drive is essential for a lot of people. With that in mind, read on to discover some top tips on overcoming your fear of driving.

Try some visualization and breathing techniques – This is a good way to relax the body before you get in the car and learn how to drive. You can use this approach before and during a lesson. It’s really simple, but it can make a massive difference. So, if you feel yourself getting worked up, count to five as you breathe in, and while you breathe out, count to seven. By breathing out at a slower rate, you will remove the focus from your anxiety, and it will instead be on relaxing the body.

Choose a driving instructor carefully – Your choice of driving instructor will make a massive difference. If you end up behind the wheel with someone who is rude or harsh on you, you may be put off taking driving lessons for life. This is why it is important to take the time to do your research online to find an instructor with a good reputation. You should read the comments left by previous learners to discover whether this instructor is someone you want to learn from or not. After all, everyone has different learning styles and it is important to find someone that is right for you and will help to calm your nerves.

Remember that mistakes happen to everyone – You may be worried about making a mistake while driving, but the truth is that everyone will make mistakes while they are learning to drive. In fact, there are many people that continue to make mistakes once they have passed their test. After all, you cannot be perfect all of the time, and you aren’t expected to be. This is why you’re allowed a certain number of minor mistakes when taking your driving test. The best thing to do is simply learn from your mistake and use it to make you a better driver.

Consider the frequency of your lessons – If you are someone that gets nervous about driving, it is not a good idea to have your lessons to spread apart. If you do this, you are only going to make it harder for you to get back behind the wheel. Instead, if your lessons are relatively in quick succession, you will remember how positive you felt last time and how much progress you made, and you will feel more comfortable about driving again. Anxiety can build up when something is left alone for too long.

Stick to daytime driving at first – There is no need to give yourself the extra worry of being on the road at nighttime. Instead, start off with daytime driving lessons. This can be slightly more inconvenient, especially if you work a full-time standard 9-5 job. Nonetheless, you will feel a lot more confident and you can then build up to driving on the evening. Plus, it is likely that your driving test is going to be during the day anyway.

Have someone with you once you pass your test – If you pass your test, and you are still feeling anxious about driving, it may be that you are worried about driving alone for the first time, rather than the actual driving. This is why it is a good idea to have someone with you for the first few weeks, or even the first few months, until you feel comfortable. If someone else feels at ease with your driving, you will probably feel much more confident about doing it by yourself.

Follow the tips that have been mentioned above, and you should be able to overcome your fear of driving. It is understandable that you may be feeling anxious and nervous. Most people feel this way when they are trying something new. However, if you embrace the tips suggested, you will end up loving the process, rather than hating it.