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Driving anxiety????

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Posted 6/8/2011 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
First off I'm just about to take my driving test for the first time (at 32 yrs of age). I have been driving off and on (if that makes any sense) since 2000. I used to drive my brothers car all the time as he would leave it with me while he was at work. I would have to g pick him up from work downtown in crazy traffic. My bestfriend once let me drive her car from our house in the city to my uncles house in the county through the woods, winding roads and one lane bridges. All of these trips were made without incident and I was confident about my skills. Now I just feel like a different person behind the wheel. I'm scared of what other drivrs might do and I just don't feel as confident. When I attended driving school the instructor yelled at me once while drving through downtown traffic because I didn't make a move as fast as he wanted me to. He even told me that sees me getting into an accident because of the way I drive!!! That kinda hurt but I just brushed it off. I just don't get why I just don't have the confidence that I had ten years ago. I'm thankful that my hubby does most of the drivng but I want drive on my own. He even bought me a car because I finished driving school so I won't have to depend on him to take me where I want to go. I just feel so discouraged like I will never be able to be a good driver. I'm wondering if this is all because of my anxiety??? I had anxiety back then but just not as bad as I do now and I don't really get nervous behind the wheel mostly because he's always in the car with me. I wonder will I ever get over this...

Nelle
Posted 6/8/2011 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Nelle. Don't bring yourself down there are a lot of people that are scared to drive. Me being one. I feel trapped and always winde up having a panic attack. But think that if we don't do these things how ate we going to get any better is what I tell myself. But it's easier said than done. I hate to drive for that reason. But I'm hoping it will get better one day.
Posted 6/8/2011 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
There are very few people in this world who are "natural" drivers. Driving is a skill requiring many different simultaneous mental and physical processes, which don't necessarily come naturally and which require learning in the first place and then honing by means of consolidation and practice. If you have a test booked and you do not feel confident about  what you may be required to demonstrate, then my advice is do not take the test without further training. Keep on practicing. You can renew your permit as many times as you want in MN.  I knew the written test by heart.

I renewed my motorcycle permit 3 times  before I was brave enough to take the test.  I was so nervous I do not even remember finishing the drivers test.

No-one is perfect. No-one gets it right first time, every time. When they start to learn to walk, babies fall over...when toddlers learn to ride a bike, they fall off. There may be tears and hurt pride, but mistakes and failures are good sometimes because we learn from them...driving tests are essentially no different...

You will get your license, Nelle.  I believe in you !

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 6/10/2011 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nelle,

I completely understand how you feel. In December of 2009, I was driving my tiny little Escort through a 4-way stop when some guy in a truck blew the stop sign and t-boned me on my driver's side going almost sixty miles per hour. I hadn't driven in almost two years, since I was too scared to get behind the wheel, and just recently, I started driving again. I was given a stick-shift, and I had to learn how to drive it while overcoming my fear.

I know it seems like this won't go away, but I can assure you, it will. Since I've been driving my new car, I feel a little more confident. Of course it's not easy, I'm still worried about being in heavy traffic, or passing through stop signs, but with practice it will all become like second nature. I just try to remember how much I loved driving before the accident.

I would suggest thinking of fun times you've had in the car, whether you were driving or not, and just try to keep that happy, positive attitude. I hope everything works out for you.
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