Did anyone get scared?

just climb in and drive ....it will get you over the fear

spider

it is normal to feel this way for a bit. It takes time to get use to such a huge responsibility. I still get scared and I am 50, I hate night dirving...and then there are the deer and other wildlife. You should never feel so good about it that you forget that you are driving something that can cause problems for you and others.
As long as you keep you mind where it suppose to be (on driving) and not with friends and phone then you will do fine.
Now the problem is the other drivers.

JULIE C

After failing my driving test, due to a complete idiot of an instructor who was out to take all my money. I decided to buy a little run around car and get some practice. Nobody would take me out for lessons, so one day I thought sod it and I jumped in and drove the 20 minutes to work. I'd never been so scared in my life. I was ultra aware of every pedestrian, car and piece of litter on the roads. I passed my test 3 months later with flying colors. My point is having a licence doesn't make you a better or safer driver, and it doesn't ease the fear. You have to learn at some point and your confidence will come with time. Just get in your car and get out and about.

schmushe

just need to get on with it or you'll never drive

have someone in the car with you to begin with and drive short distances till you get used to it again

katieplatie

I passed my test two weeks ago and I know exactly how you feel!! I have to force myself to get into the car and drive. Once I'm in there I feel fine but it's the initial panic that I can't do it. I usually make sure someone is with me - even one of my kids - cos then I feel a bit less nervous. I'm told it does get easier and that it's all about confidence. I can't wait for the day tha it becomes second nature and not something I think and worry about. Good luck and just keep on driving x x x x

Isis

I have always been sort of a chicken driver. I think some of us are just more attuned to a different pace of life and we are not so hyper as others behind the wheel. These instincts are actually good, so don't worry about it. Just get out and start practicing. It is a skill you need. You are a confident and common sense person. Go for it.

gkdu21970

Go down some quiet country roads until you are ready, theres a lot of traffic on the roads and you need to build up your awareness.

fancyname

A little bit of fear is ok, it means you are taking the responsibility seriously. The only way to get experience driving alone is to drive alone, if you are nervous about it start by driving when you know there is little traffic. Get up early before rush hours and drive around your neighborhood, then start branching out. Go on highways that do not go as fast as expressways until you get the hang of speed, but do it in non peak hours.

Ed C

I am sure you did not get a walking test or even remember you first steps and yet now you are walking. The absolute best way to learn and improve is to do. There is an old saying that "Knowledge replaces fear" the only way to improve and become comfortable is to practice. Through practice we learn to act rather than react and, as long as we do not learn bad practices like allowing ourselves to be distracted i.e., cell phones, radio, cigarettes conversation, we progress. There are courses designed around being attentive. When you are driving see everything, a rule for pilots is see and be seen, the same applies to driving. Note the details, use your peripheral vision, use the three second rule when following, wait three second when a light changes, stop far enough behind the vehicle in front of you to see their license plate. Verbalize what you are seeing, "there is a car coming from the driveway on my left, I am a five count from the speed limit sign, there are two cars behind me, I am three seconds behind the car in from of me, thre is a pedestrian on the sidewalk.
We all find ourselves in sticky situations sometimes just remember to act. If you need to stop quickly pump the brakes do not slam them. If you have an ABS system you do not have to as ABS pumps the brakes for you even though you do not feel it. Practice driving in parking lots or around the block. Remember when you learned to walk you tooks small steps, take short drives. Most important never become over confident or to comfortable when you drive. Driving requires attention if you want to be comfortable sit in an easy chair.
You will do very well because you obviously care and are a concerned person. Good luck

jeeps

Yes! I was so looking forward to it and couldn't do it for weeks. I was scared of the A6 that i lived a couple of roads off. I was frightened of the buses getting right up behind me and at the side of me. I just thought this is stupid, I can't go on like this and made myself go out.I avoided certain times like the school run and rush hour in the late afternoon. Now the motorway is a different story! I still can't bring myself to drive on them alone, I do at a push if someone is with me. I've been driving for 10 years now.

James the less

Sounds like you are not competent to drive and the test has failed you and everyone else. It is only a bit of paper and doesn't mean much in driving ability terms.

lizziebeth

Try to go out and drive a little at a time in areas you have used to practice your driving before test. Why not do the Pass Plus course.....it will help you become confident.....see our web site for information (www.atob-driving.co.uk). with our pupils we offer to sit with them in their own car for a short while to help them on their way!!! Good luck.

pinkchocolateyumyum

I passed my test last year and i was scared at first, try driving when it's quiet like during the day so you get used to it.

rainy-h

You need to just get in and do it, as soon as possible. Just go down the road to the shops or whereever at quieter times to start with, until you build up your confidence. It can be quite scary suddenly not having an instructor next to you to cover all your mistakes - but tell yourself - you must have been good enough in the first place on your own to pass your test! And how often was your instructor really covering you - how often did he have to use the dual controls, and was this for minor things, really, that wouldn't matter too much? You probably didn't need him so much towards the end, it just made you feel safer. Get a more experienced friend to come out with you at first if you're really worried, just to give you advice and support if you're stuck.

But you really must get over this as soon as possible - if you let it build up too much it'll get longer and longer, and you'll never be able to relax and build up the confidence and experience it takes to be a good driver. Good luck!

DARLENE C

you just need time and practise. why not get some green L plates, they weren't around when i passed my test in 1980, i had to drive like someone who had been on the roads for years,and it is the first 12 months after passing your driving that you a lot, however you never stop learning about driving and i am still doing that.
what i did was go out on my own down to the trading estate , when i knew it was quite and just got the feel of driving on my own
i am going to suggest that you look into a pass plus course as a top up to the original test.
you may also like to look at the advance driving test, which may help you get cheaper car insurance. www.iam.org.co.ok.
take care

JMay

It did feel a bit weird at first. My dad even followed me in his car on my first trip out alone! After a couple of goes though, and probably some scary moments when you have to make quick decisions for yourself, you get loads more confidence and you'll be fine.

Scotty

I know how you feel. Take it steady and drive in familiar places. I've been driving for years and have NEVER had to parallel park

pablo techno escabar 1

takes time to sink in.you will be fine.practise makes perfect.

spaceman

.................. we'll stay right behind you .................

finaldx

How refreshing to see a young person with some wisdom! Sounds like you understand the dangers of hurling down the road in a two ton vehicle that could be deadly to yourself or others (I take it they showed some movies in the class you took).

Take it slowly, for the first year, don't drive anywhere longer than 30 minutes at a stretch. Avoid peak traffic times. Don't load your car with other teenagers. Don't talk on the phone, or apply makeup or eat while driving......and all the other things they taught you in driver's ed.

I think you will be fine.

LeeCee

It takes a while to get comfortable driving a car. That comes with practice and experience. I remember the first time I drove in the snow, I was so scared....and my first accident (my fault!). All of that experience, good and bad, makes you a better driver in the long run.
Keep practicing with other people in the car, like your parents, it's good experience.

Goose&Tonic

I didn't feel this way personally, but I did have a friend who felt that way. It took her about six months of driving before she was comfortable with it.

Take your time!! There is no need to rush into it. Just go slowly, try a new bit each day, go a little further. Whatever you do, make sure that you are ready before you go it alone, as it is much more dangerous for you and everyone else on the road if you aren't confident of what you're doing.

I am rock

You should be in touch with the practise. If you leave for too long it natural you get a fear behind the wheel.

the one and only

i was exactly the same as u,i passed 6weeks ago, i stopped making it a big deal, even though if u told me that at the time id think shut up u havnt a clue just rerember u passed ur test ur a capable driver and all that confidence u used in ur test and use it in ur everyday driving good luck let me know how u get on, stacy126@btinternet.com hope u succeed

Phlodgeybodge

Let me know when you do eventually go out, won't you? I'll make sure I'm off the roads that day!

the_cheeze_cop

Go to a deserted parking lot and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Try parallel parking, backing into a space, pulling into a space. Accelerating/braking smoothly and panic stopping. Practice any situation that one would see on the public highways. You must feel confident behind the wheel! It's for your own safety and others.

Good luck and remember to practice.

auntie s

good stay scared that way you wont be rocking out not paying attention to where your going and run over me and my kids if you pay attention you fear will go away with pratice please just pay attention and youll be fine

simonavitch

I have been driving over 60 years and I remember the feeling.
Two things helped me.
Having someone sit beside me and it doesn't matter if they can drive.
Opening the driving window if alone.
It doesn't last long before you find yourself becoming over confident and when the very first sign comes in the way of a mistake take warning.
Remind yourself how lucky you are and from that point you will become a good driver.
There are loads of bad drivers around but don't let them influence you. Stick to what you were taught but make the actions that of a craftsman.
When you recognise traffic patterns you will become a safer driver.

Good luck

*BURNY*

Firstly... I'd like to say well done on passing your test!
Secondly... no, I didn't... I couldn't wait to get out there on my own.. but everyone is different.. maybe you should just have someone in with you for abit until you build up a little more confidence... Just take short journeys at first on your own... take it step by step and day by day (like the song, lol) and eventually you'll be like: 'what was I worrying about?!'

Good luck and well done..

xx

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