I am SO Scared of Driving.

[minkydog]

Is there a reason that you MUST drive? It sounds like you have access to public transit. Why not just stick with that?

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I got my drivers license at 38. I always had public transportation so there was no need for it nor did I have the money.
I lived in the suburbs for 11 years and managed until I had to start driving my DD to school functions and sports.

I only drive local andd barely put 5,000 miles a year on my car.
All the stores I need are within 3 miles of each other.


Relax, you'll do it!!

 

[Rora]

Just sending a

You can do it!

 

[pennymom]

and just wanted to let you know that I have a grand aunt who never drove in her life until she decided to learn at age 63! Her three children made sure she had MANY hours of practice until she was comfortable, which took quite a while, and she is still driving (just in her local neighborhood) and is still a safe driver at age 85. So practice, practice, practice until you are more comfortable! You can do it!!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I remember being so scared too when I started learning and that it took so long to figure out the wheel and pedal sensitivity. Even now I am very nervous in a different car until I figure that out for that car.

I think the best thing that I did to ease into driving was using the riding lawn mower. Really. It is a chance to get used to the mechanics of driving with a gas and brake and steering wheel. Any chance that you could do that on your off days to help you work on those skills?

As others have said I also was really taught to drive by a boyfriend. I had behind the wheel in school but really had no confidence and didn't even bother to get my license until I was leaving for college. In the meantime I had a boyfriend that gave me all the time I needed to work on driving in out of the way places, parking lots, country roads etc. and was very patient with me. I had been driving with him for about 2 years before I got my license so I felt very confident. Do you have any friends or family members that could help you out?

 

[erincon23]

The thing about your foot slipping and hitting the wrong pedal -- are you one foot driving or two foot (one on brake, one on accelerator)? When I learned to drive, they taught two-foot driving. When my DS learned two years ago, "they" had decided that one-foot driving was safer, but nobody told me (and even with mandatory driving lessons, I was really the one who taught him to drive) so I taught him two-foot driving (although he had to learn one-foot as well, since that was required for the license test). He prefers the two-foot method -- feels like he's much more in control, and can't accidentally press the accelerator when he means to hit the brake.

ANYWAY, my point is that perhaps you should try driving the other way to whichever way you're currently doing it. It sounds like you're doing the one-foot method -- if that's the case, try to learn two-foot. The only thing you have to be careful of is pressing BOTH pedals at the same time -- that's a no-no. You don't want to be riding the brake. But with two-foot, at least you won't get confused as to which foot goes where, and it might make you more confident. Good luck with your lessons and your anxiety. If you can get past it, you may never really enjoy driving, but you may enjoy the freedom it can give you!

 

[chisnpeke]

You will be fine! I get scared of driving too but mostly of other people who are insane drivers.

I deal with anxiety on a daily basis so I feel your pain. Just go slow, take your time, and do not let people who ride your tail or honk at you out of annoyance get to you.

Would it be possible for you to drive somewhere there is not a lot of traffic? Or just through a neighborhood that isn't a busy main road? The more you do it the more comfortable you will feel.

 

[chisnpeke]

I remember being so scared too when I started learning and that it took so long to figure out the wheel and pedal sensitivity. Even now I am very nervous in a different car until I figure that out for that car.

I think the best thing that I did to ease into driving was using the riding lawn mower. Really. It is a chance to get used to the mechanics of driving with a gas and brake and steering wheel. Any chance that you could do that on your off days to help you work on those skills?

As others have said I also was really taught to drive by a boyfriend. I had behind the wheel in school but really had no confidence and didn't even bother to get my license until I was leaving for college. In the meantime I had a boyfriend that gave me all the time I needed to work on driving in out of the way places, parking lots, country roads etc. and was very patient with me. I had been driving with him for about 2 years before I got my license so I felt very confident. Do you have any friends or family members that could help you out?

I drove the riding lawn mower a ton. My dad also would let me drive his car sometimes so by the time I was ready to drive, I felt a lot more comfortable than if I had never operated anything before.

A lawn mower would be great practice if you have one available to you.

 

[ChrizJen]

I was 19 when I got my license. The funny thing is that I didn't avoid getting it because I was afraid. I just didn't have a car, so I didn't feel the need to rush into it. But then when I went to actually do it, I freaked!! I was so nervous!! Same thing happened all over again 10 yrs later when I learned to drive a stick. If you stop and analyze it, it makes perfect sense to be nervous. Driving is a big responsibility! You have anxiety over doing something completely new, but amplified because it's such a big responsibility.
Hugs to you. And relax. Driving is one of those things that gets easier the more you do it. You'll be a pro at it in no time.

 

[Nomi]

The thing about your foot slipping and hitting the wrong pedal -- are you one foot driving or two foot (one on brake, one on accelerator)? When I learned to drive, they taught two-foot driving. When my DS learned two years ago, "they" had decided that one-foot driving was safer, but nobody told me (and even with mandatory driving lessons, I was really the one who taught him to drive) so I taught him two-foot driving (although he had to learn one-foot as well, since that was required for the license test). He prefers the two-foot method -- feels like he's much more in control, and can't accidentally press the accelerator when he means to hit the brake.

ANYWAY, my point is that perhaps you should try driving the other way to whichever way you're currently doing it. It sounds like you're doing the one-foot method -- if that's the case, try to learn two-foot. The only thing you have to be careful of is pressing BOTH pedals at the same time -- that's a no-no. You don't want to be riding the brake. But with two-foot, at least you won't get confused as to which foot goes where, and it might make you more confident. Good luck with your lessons and your anxiety. If you can get past it, you may never really enjoy driving, but you may enjoy the freedom it can give you!

Wow, in both my in-class lessons and with my driving instructor, using two feet to control the pedals was a BIG no-no! But that would make more sense to me.

Thank you everyone! I did mean class, not test! I am nowhere near ready for a test! I do feel a lot better this morning (yesterdays driving really shook me up with the pedal thing), but I still am going to phone and request to move this class to later this week if possible.

We do have transit, but we are out by the far end of the city, and, well, it stinks. And both my parents think that I need to drive sooner rather than later, which I do agree with to an extent. Like, before the snow flies, for example.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I am terrified of driving myself. People are nuts around here...

- Even if I'm going 10 miles over the limit along with traffic, the person behind me will be so close up my bumper that I can see their nose hairs.

- Pretty much every day, I get someone coming head-on toward me IN MY LANE; when they go by, I can clearly see that they're on their cell phone (it is illegal to talk on a hand-held cell phone while driving here).

- Stop signs are just a suggestion. You don't REALLY have to stop.

- Waiting to turn left at a green light, I get honked at by the person behind me when there is NO BREAK in oncoming traffic

I could go on...

 

[Nomi]

I am terrified of driving myself. People are nuts around here...

- Even if I'm going 10 miles over the limit along with traffic, the person behind me will be so close up my bumper that I can see their nose hairs.

- Pretty much every day, I get someone coming head-on toward me IN MY LANE; when they go by, I can clearly see that they're on their cell phone (it is illegal to talk on a hand-held cell phone while driving here).

- Stop signs are just a suggestion. You don't REALLY have to stop.

- Waiting to turn left at a green light, I get honked at by the person behind me when there is NO BREAK in oncoming traffic

I could go on...

Ahhh! Yes, other people can make driving more terrifying! Up here, the main issue is people not signalling, mostly while changing lanes! Are they trying to surprise me? Are they pretending to be ninjas?

I phoned my driving instructor and changed my class to this Thurs. Phew. Now I have more time to just get used to car controls, and make it feel less alien to me.