Need Help Overcoming Driving Anxiety

I am 21. I have my license. But I don’t drive. It is mostly due to anxiety. My dad was a high school teacher at the high school I went to, so that wasn’t a problem. When I went to a junior college, my mom would drive me there and pick me up. It was in town and it wasn’t a problem. She’d just go to work when I was in class. It was like 15 minutes for our house. Now that I have transferred to a four-year (that is an hour away from home), I live on campus. I do not really like it and do not know what I will do next year (in the fall). I, too, feel really bad about making my parents drive me places. And I do not know if I will ever be comfortable driving. It’s been years since I’ve done it. I’m scared of doing it again and I’ve felt I’ve gone backwards with it. Even though I do not like it, I will probably end up living on campus again next year. Is it possibly for you to live on your campus? Is it a four-year? That might make things easier. You’re closer to your classes and you don’t have to drive.

I’m 22 and I don’t have my license. All because i crashed into a wall while driving a go kart when I was 11. I’m getting mine this year though but it’s not that embarrassing, I often Uber or take the bus since I work and make enough to do so. My great aunt who’s 60 something doesn’t have her drivers license either and I’ve made it my goal to not be like that.

Hey, I'm 22 and still don't have mine, don't feel bad! My big thing is how scary it is to have lives in my hands. But when I think about it long enough, I think about how convenient it would be to drive. I'd ask your parents to teach you in your free time, go at a pace that's good for you, and set a goal of when you want to be ready to take the test for your license!

Like what another user said, it becomes second nature really fast. And in time you'll probably start to enjoy driving even! It's a lot of fun and you'll enjoy long trips. Just try to focus on the freedom and fun that driving brings instead of the negatives.

everyone that says it will eventually become second nature and that it becomes easier the more you do it is telling the truth. i got my license WAYYY after everyone else i knew, and it got really tiring having everyone else drive me around all the time. i was terrified to get it, but now i drive almost every single day for various amounts of time on various different roads, and i've only had my license about six months. and i swear it feels much easier now than it did then.

i understand! practicing and finding a nice and affordable driving instructor helps!

Having a really great teacher helped me pass my driving test. Look for driving schools that specialize in anxious drivers. It makes all the difference. Mine helped me practice all the way up to the test itself. He also knew every driving test person there and we waited until we got the one nice, chill lady who was there. 😅

i get the same anxiety. it gets better the more you drive though. try not to get stuck in your head too much about it! i know it’s easier said than done lol. i still get nervous if i know have an appointment or some reason i have to drive. i still can’t drive long distances on highways. but yeah i would recommend just getting yourself out there and doing it. would driving with another person help? i know that for me having someone in the passengers seat eases my mind a bit. i drove around with my mom for a while until i could eventually do it by myself.

Oddly enough I'm kinda the exact opposite. I can drive on highways perfectly fine but going do the street to the grocery brings me so much anxiety

I’m in the same boat as you. I’m 19 almost 20 and I have my permit but not my license. I’ve gotten comfortable driving in parking lots and small roads but I still have a lot of trouble with main roads. I try to push myself to just go a little bit further each time I practice.

I totally get it. I felt the same way. I think what pushed me to finally go to the DMV was knowing I'd have to rely on my parents for one other thing on top of everything else. It took me much longer than most people at my age to get my license but I have so much more freedom because of it. And deciding when you get to go places and where you get to go is so helpful, especially if you're not feeling well and need to leave somewhere early. And I promise you I am an average driver at best, that test is very easy. Good luck and I wish you the best <3