Fear/phobia of driving - advice needed

Starrystarrynight

I was nervous to drive alone at first, too. I started out by going to an industrial estate on an evening when it was really quiet. My poor Dad volunteered to be dropped off and wait whilst I drove round. It was a start in building up my confidence, then I moved on to driving to the local shops, then a bit further.
Hope that you can overcome your fears, OP.

JessicaFletcher

I don't really have any advice but I'm another one with a driving phobia. I passed my license when I was 23 but I haven't driven since - and it's 10 years later. I have two young children and it's more difficult than ever to start driving again as I'm terrified I'll cause them harm while driving.

I hope you can overcome this asap as it's so much more difficult to get around if you don't drive.

Savvy_Sue

Nearly 6 years ago, I spent a few months unable to drive post-op. It was VERY weird getting in the car on my own the first few times, as I'd not been on my own in the car for nearly a year!

Before that happened, once I was cleared for driving I booked a refresher lesson with DS1's driving instructor, just to check I remembered how. That was very helpful because he said I seemed fine. So I'd recommend either PassPlus (which does give you experience of motorways, night driving, and driving in the rain, among other things!) or a couple of refresher lessons.

Your instructor might take you out in your car, and also take you somewhere he could get out and observe while you drove around on your own.

If all else fails, you might need to find a professional to talk this through with!

scaredofdriving

Another problem is that I think I am a crap driver and am convinced I won't be able to control the car and that I'm not a natural at it. This belief is now so deeply embedded that I fear its becoming a catch-22 situation - I am scared to drive because I believe I am a crap driver therefore I am a crap driver because I am scared to drive. My driving teacher (the guy who I passed with) was always making little digs about how I was older than most of his students (he always went on about how he had all these 17 and 18 year olds who passed first time after 8 weeks of lessons) and how I wasn't a very good driver (he said it slightly more tactfully than that but not far off) and I guess it's stuck. I'm not overly confident in any areas of my life and this has just been compounded by this issue .

flippin36

Ridiculous! I should guess you are not a bad driver, but someone still learning. It takes months after you pass your test for it to feel natural. Why are you listening to stuff like that. You should have said yes thats why teenage boys get such a good deal on insurance because they are suuuuchh good drivers! Give yourself time and stop thinking about making mistakes - I make mistakes on the road all the time, but I've never had an accident. Good luck

Savvy_Sue

Flippin' 'eck, then you did EXTREMELY well to pass with this instructor, and I'd ditch him and find a better one to give you some post test lessons, eg the PassPlus.

DS3 is learning atm, and his biggest weakness is overconfidence, and because of that I make sure I point out to him where he's done something really really stoopid (like forcing cyclists to swerve around him! :eek: he's a cyclist himself and should know better!) BUT I also make sure I tell him where he has done something well, like a well controlled hill start or taken a difficult corner with a nice line.

Now, start telling yourself - out loud please! - that you are going to become a good, safe driver, all the better for NOT passing when you were 17 and too young and stupid to know you were young and stupid!

Horasio

It's the other drivers that worry me.

There are more drivers on the road than when I passed my test and there are more idiots as well.

If you have passed your test and you HAD to drive yourself or family somewhere, you would just do it.

larmy16

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_21?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=glenn+harrold+driving+cd&sprefix=Glenn+Harrold+driving

Hi OP. I too suffer with driving phobia in unfamiliar circumstances.

I bought the above cd and it has really helped me. Though it is for the driving test nerves primarily, it also includes a track to help people who suffer with anxiety even when they have passed their test.

I think I paid about £6.30 including postage. Well worth it - I was able to drive in a very chaotic town the other day, which I had been turning into a major drama in my head prior to that.

All the best. I do sympathise.

PS. You can get it for £7.13 if you choose Free delivery.