Driving help: Why am I so afraid of driving? - Help.com

i just got my permit today, and im starting drivers ed tonight. i dont know what i can do to help you. i think your experiences have just made you a little more nervous around cars is all. practice makes perfect i suppose.

I don’t drive either and I’m 21.

You’re scared because as you get older you realize just how dangerous driving is and what the consequences could be.

If you continue to post pone it, it will only get worse.

Get out there and practice more. Don’t let fear win.

Mate, now you need to build your mental self confidence. With all the crap you’ve gone through, it’s understandable that you are going through this anxiety phase when it comes to getting your license. However, if you keep on postponing it, it will get harder and harder for you to get your license. Not because you don’t know how to drive, but your panic is going to get the better of you.

Think positive and go get your license.

thing is your brain is still associating several scarey experiences with driving. actually hypnosis really works with breaking a link like that, or EFT (google it) which works for post-traumatic shock situations

You should have confidence in yourself, just like you do about your body. Yes we all know you have a nice “AMAZING” body and you need to project that into your driving. Yes I understand the fear, I have a fear of driving also, I go out and do it any ways. It is one of the things you have to tell yourself well you know what today is the day I’m gonna do it, theres no stopping me. Your fears will dwindle down the more comfortable you get. I was nervous in my truck, and it was my truck, but then we sold it and now I have my car, your dads jeep is obviously a symbol of your fear, I would freak out if my dad yelled at me becaus of a mistake, I don’t think I would ever be able to drive one of his cars or around him at all. Your tramatic experiences with your dad and in the car crashes are causing you to think way to hard with driving. I say take it day by day, and maybe start drving in your driveway or yard, and just get comfortable and then believe in yourself. I know you have it in you to do it… 3
Krystyn =] 3

Ryan, you’re focusing, or should I say dwelling on too many things at one time. You need to stop and face each situation as it comes along. First things first. First, you need to stop the negative thinking about the past and what happened with you and your dad. Next, you need to understand that every now and then, ppl do get into accidents and come out of it either ok or dead. That my friend are the facts of life. Lastly, you need to focus on the huge confidence that you have in you, the confidence that gets you by each and every day. That confidence that makes Ryan who he is. Whether you are weight lifting, picking up girls, or playing basketball you need to follow the same rules when preparing to gear yourself up to get the job done. That job being, you auto licence. Your confidence in all those other things is there, now you need to prove to yourself that you can have that same confidence when it comes to driving. Just do it. Start out slow. Go down roads that you are familiar with, bring a friend with you that you trust and like, and most important, know the car/truck/van that you will be driving. It makes all the difference. Once you get familiar with back roads and secondary roads, work your way up slowly, with a friend, a venture out on the highway. You’ll do fine. Just bring your confidence with you when ever you go.

goddamn if people had more fear they’d quit dying.
i’m scared to death of cars man, i’d rather not have my decapitated head rolling around in the backseat ******* up my upholstery haha

failure troll is failure

to me.. it sounds like your dad has made you believe that you are a failure about driving… from having to be good at your grades in order to drive to running that red light and getting yelled at.. and unconsciously… you are in fear of failing yourself.. because if you notice.. you are almost ok driving but when you drive your dads car… you freak out more.. meaning… it has a lot to do with how your dad treated you when it came to driving…

you need to relax… and just turn on the music softly of course.. lol and clear your mind from your dad… and when you get your permit… DO NOT allow your dad to be with you when you drive… atleast not for a while because this will surely make you really nervous..

well, my mum doesnt drive either and shes like 53! everyone is scared of something, me its, spiders, frogs, toads, (hights) and getting up in the morning. as u can guess school doent go down well with me….

but, i got over loads of stuff by one day just closing my eyes, when i could, and doing it. cause once u do it A. u cant go back. B. you feel really proud of ur self and C. you think u can do other stuff as well and then are able to do them.i think the reason ur scared tho is cause u sed u’ve seen all those accidents and ur sub-consiounce is telling u ‘DONT DO THIS, DO U WANT TO END UP LIKE ALL THOSE DEAD PEOPLE WHO DIE FROM DRIVING??’ ignor that and you’ll be fine. just go for it.

(p.s. next time could u plse use smaller paragraphs, its kinda hard to read in one big block)

I actually love driving. It’s one of the most enjoyable passtimes there is. All you can do is just go for it and stop laying so much down, stop saying ‘I can’t’ all the time. Yeah you’ve had some bad experiences, but I bet you’ve had stomachache before too? Isn’t going to stop you eating is it? Just ignore all that other stuff and get on with it. It’s actually easier to drive in the states cos they are mostly automatics (which so isn’t driving btw… learn manual) and cos of the lack of roundabouts. Driving is so easy, think about all the stupid people you know that can drive, if it was hard do you really think they would have passed? Just drive safely, and your dad was right to pick you up the first time, doesn’t matter if you thought no one was there or not, you don’t break the law while driving, a car is a weapon and you need to respect it and respect the rules of the road.

Miss Jessica Bunny wrote:
I actually love driving. It’s one of the most enjoyable passtimes there is. All you can do is just go for it and stop laying so much down, stop saying ‘I can’t’ all the time. Yeah you’ve had some bad experiences, but I bet you’ve had stomachache before too? Isn’t going to stop you eating is it? Just ignore all that other stuff and get on with it. It’s actually easier to drive in the states cos they are mostly automatics (which so isn’t driving btw… learn manual) and cos of the lack of roundabouts. Driving is so easy, think about all the stupid people you know that can drive, if it was hard do you really think they would have passed? Just drive safely, and your dad was right to pick you up the first time, doesn’t matter if you thought no one was there or not, you don’t break the law while driving, a car is a weapon and you need to respect it and respect the rules of the road.

nice jess. and yer i agree about the manual thing. they r so much better. isnt it like if u take the automatic test u still cant drive a manual but if u learn to drive a manual then u can use both?

Yeah if you learn automatic you can only drive automatics but if you learn manual you get a full license and you can drive both. You don’t get the proper power with automatics either

Miss Jessica Bunny wrote:
Yeah if you learn automatic you can only drive automatics but if you learn manual you get a full license and you can drive both. You don’t get the proper power with automatics either

thought so. and im way off driving. LOL

So, I can’t say I’ve gone through as much as you have, but I do have a similar fear. And it’s always been that way- even before I got my license. Mine is a stupid fear, as I’ve never been in an accident and I’m actually a pretty good driver. Anywho, I found that clearing my mind EVERY time before I get behind the wheel helps me a lot. Kind of like a meditation, I go through a little list of all the GOOD things that will happen while I’m driving. It sounds pretty corny, but it works for me. You can’t let fear stand in your way, Ryan- EVER. It will only bring you down. Millions of terrible things can happen even while walking- driving isn’t the worst thing out there. I have faith in you!!! =D
Btw, I drive a manual and it’s all I’ve ever driven. As a personal opinion- automatics suck. You don’t have near the control over your car in an automatic, and as previously stated by Jessica, if you can drive a manual, you can drive either. And they are just better cars. =D
All the best of luck to you!!

I cannot get enough of driving. I love it! Maybe you should find someone you can be more comfortable with to help you and find a big parking lot where this person will let you speed a little and cut hard turns. Pretty much beat on some car. Thats what helped my nerves. Showingthata car wont tip and all that crap.

Its like training wheels but in a machine…some catch on quicker than others which is perfectly fine. i know a lot of people who refuse to try. I give you credit for even trying and wanting to go further. Once you start to drive you will be nervous, but the biggest thing is when you are finally driving on your own with no one to sit next to you and judge the crap out of or you being scared you may get yelled at, your driving will become much more better.

When you are alone, you are relaxed. That feeling in your chest lifts right away. imagine driving on your own as oppose to someone being with you. Big difference

hey! im proud ur stil trying! i mean its better than just lifting weights and doing nothing about it! not that lifting isnt anyhting, but you could have done that instead. know wot i mean?

but little babysteps at a time and you will get there!

Yeah, keep it up, Ryan. You’ll get there!! We believe in you!! haha =D

Lol I think it’s everyone else on the road that should be prayed for if Ryan’s out ;)

Miss Jessica Bunny wrote:
Lol I think it’s everyone else on the road that should be prayed for if Ryan’s out ;)

nice! definitely a british sense of homour!! i like it!

Try stock car racing first, crashing cars in a controlled environment is awesome and very addictive….
After the fresh experience of crashing cars you’ll feel a whole lot better…..

Thanks for the tips on burning the fat……

don’t worry

just relax