How to Overcome Your Fear of Driving 

Just because driving is a normal part of everyday life doesn’t mean it’s not scary for some people. If you feel worried, anxious, or fearful about getting behind the wheel, try these tips. 

There are a lot of reasons people are afraid to drive: It might be because they are new to driving, have had past negative experiences with driving, are worried about getting lost or in a car accident, or because they’ve previously been in a crash. For some people, fear of driving can seem to come out of nowhere — even when they’ve been driving for years. 

Whatever your reason for feeling fearful behind the wheel, you’re not alone. Here are a few tips you can try to overcome your fear. 

Take a driving course 

Driving involves a combination of knowledge, skills, timing, and healthy confidence. One sure way to boost all of these things? By taking a drivers education course. Having a patient, qualified instructor by your side guiding you through the various steps is a great way to improve your driving skills in combination with the other parts of driving. Driving lessons aren’t just for new drivers, either; even licensed drivers can benefit from driving instruction. 

Take a driving companion

Sometimes, driving anxiety escalates when people drive alone. Simply having a passenger in the car who can serve as a calming influence (not someone who will distract you from driving or make you more nervous) can help you feel better about driving. 

Of course, if you’re a teen driver with a permit in Arizona, you must have a licensed driver who is aged 21 or older in the passenger seat at all times. If you are under 18, you must not drive with more than one passenger in the vehicle who is also under 18, unless the passengers are your siblings or there is also a parent or guardian with a valid driver license in the front seat. 

Don’t avoid driving altogether

For most people, the more time they spend in the driver’s seat, the better they feel about driving. Continuing to gain on-the-road experience in specific situations — and experiencing how capable you are of handling those driving situations — can make you feel better about driving. Rather than committing to a long trek across town, try taking short driving trips just to get some practice and increase your comfort level. 

Plan your route ahead of time

If part of your driving stress results from being unfamiliar with your route or surroundings, make sure to take time to map out specific turn-by-turn directions and review them prior to departing. Knowing where you’re going and having familiarity with street names can increase your confidence. 

Listen to the right kind of entertainment

It’s true that fussing with the radio or your streaming provider while driving can be distracting, but tuning in to the right kind of music or other entertainment (such as a favorite podcast or an audio book) while you drive can serve to divert your mind from spiraling down into fearful thoughts and instead free your mind to focus on safe driving. 

Seek medical advice

If your driving fear has to do with true panic attacks, stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or a driving phobia, then these tips may not work to alleviate your fear. If this is the case for you, you may be best served through receiving a diagnosis and treatment from a qualified professional. There are a number of treatments available that have helped others with driving anxiety and fear, including exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Your doctor can help you know what’s best for you. 

The expert instructors at Stop and Go Driving School are here to help you learn and master the driving skills you need to increase your confidence. Whether you’re a brand-new driver, or have more experience, we have driver training for you. Contact us today.