How can I get over my driving fear?

I would say just take it a little at a time. And don’t worry about impressing your driving teacher. Even if you’re not so good now and nervous I am sure he or she has seen plenty worse. Just relax and don’t do anything you don’t feel comfortable doing until you feel comfortable doing it. Being an anxious driver doesn’t make you a better driver.

I originally asked why you don’t take some lessons, because I didn’t read the whole question. You are doing that. I think being in a dual control car might give you some confidence. The thing is to get out there and drive often, even if you only go around the block. Your instructor will understand if you are nervous. They deal with nervous people all the time. Just communicate how you are feeling and why so they are informed.

My wife was hit by a drunk driver a few years back. Totalled her car.
I gave her a week to get over the jitters, then made sure she did the test driving on the new car.
She didn’t want to, and was afraid at first, but she got over it quickly.

http://www.fluther.com/106171/how-do-you-get-over-the-fear-of-driving/

A belated welcome to Fluther!

Your feeling of fear is normal in many cases. I remember when I was learning to drive, and Dad yelled at me for not making a left turn when he felt that I had plenty of time to do so while a car was heading towards us in the opposite direction. He was dismissed from the responsibility of teaching me, and I did much better under the tutelage of a BIL.

Just let your driving instructor know on the front end what you have experienced, so that he/she can help you overcome it. The instructor is there to help build confidence as well as curb overconfidence.

Don’t think about it for a while. My daughter was in a horrible accident and had therapy afterward. She was counseled to not dwell on driving again, that it would come. It did. It will for you too.

You don’t need to worry about what others think of your driving. Just practice! Beginners aren’t good… and apparently it takes 5 years of driving before people are good drivers. There’re lots of bad drivers out there! The instructor is there to help you!

Don’t think about all the cars around you while you’re driving, but just be aware of them. People will cut you off, and you should watch out for those kind of crazy drivers.

When I first started driving, it felt a little scary too, just like when I was first learning how to bike on a bicycle with only two wheels (took off training wheels). It just takes time to get used to, and the hang of.

I’ve been in a car accident a few months ago, and my car got totalled (and I’ve been driving for a bit over 2 years). I was kind of paranoid after that, and really careful… watching out for bad drivers, and trying to drive well myself as well. But the more you drive, the more it feels normal and your insecure feelings will eventually disintegrate. Good luck! and stop over thinking!

Your fear is reasonable. I would say just take things a little at a time. First, go to a relatively deserted spot where you can practice just driving around without other cars and get used to being behidn the wheel again. A local shopping mall after hours is a good place to start. If you don’t want to go alone, ask an understanding friend to go with you for moral support.Then, when you feel more at ease behind the driver’s seat, you can start driving on small secondary roads where there will be a reasonable amount of traffic. After that, progress to larger roads. Just work through these stages at your own pace and don’t rush it. Your driving lessons will also help you to increase your comfort level.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I had my lesson and it went pretty well,,,,,,i relaxed after a bit and the instructor said i did well :)

Good to hear @mcsnazzy! Keep on relaxing! :)

@mcsnazzy It has been a month now since your last update. How are you feeling now about driving?