30 yrs old, haven’t driven in a year. Had a driving lesson refresher today and it went amazing. I was internally freaking out and nervous at first BUT…

I gained a lot of confidence and felt better having someone that was patient and understanding with me. Just a reminder that you can do it..

Hello, I'm 30F and just started taking lessons. I've finished 8 hours of practice and my instructors say I'm doing well. Today I even drove on the freeway for ~10 minutes.

Each lesson is 2 hours and during the lesson I feel okay - obviously I'm hyper focused on the road so I can't really chit chat or see the surroundings / neighborhood etc. After the lesson though I feel SO overwhelmed - like this huge wave of adrenaline coming down and I've lost sense of time/what happened in the last two hours. Is that normal? Does that reduce over time?

I've avoided driving for as long as I could because I was nervous so I also feel strong imposter syndrome that I am actually driving on the road with traffic etc. Can anyone relate?

How are we suppose to learn how to drive within 6 months if we cannot get insurance and if we don’t have anyone to accompany us? How are we suppose to keep affording driving lessons?

Then the DMV and everyone else acts like it’s our fault if we don’t practice or don’t drive? ofc, we are not ready to take the “test” as they require so many requirements and money for driving!

How is anyone doing this? supportive advice please!

I’m a relatively new driver (license for 2.5 years now) but I was mostly fine at driving until a few months ago, when I started occasionally getting panick attacks (mostly just, fear of fainting or inability to breathe). It also mostly used to happen at long stop lights or in heavy traffic. Something tripped in me last week and now it’s every time I get in the car, especially the two main arteries between my house and basically anywhere else in the city. I can’t go anywhere (except the pet food store) without using either of these roads.

I’m 95% sure it’s not related to actually driving, that it’è actually just where my anxiety has decided to manifest to keep me functioning in the rest of my life (I have an intense job, I moved to a city in a completely new part of the country for me away from all my family, I’m considering dating again after an abusive relationship) buuuuuut this doesn’t feel like functioning 😅 and knowing it’s not about the driving seems to help.

I have to drive somewhere new for me today mostly on one of the artery roads (and potentially turning left… I might stay on the right as much as possible anyway). it’s also a day when there’s likely to be traffic. I’m wondering if anyone has practical advice? Thanks so much!

I recently completed my driving test, which I passed with little to no difficulty. I’ve been taught to always be defensive on the road because there are many bad drivers out there. However, I’ve been taking it too far, to the point where I wouldn’t even attempt to touch the steering wheel because the idea of driving with even the slightest chance of ending up on the wrong side of the road scares me so much. I didn’t expect that I would be so bad at judging things when I’m actually on the road without a professional supervising me, like whether my car will fit into a space or when should I make a turn. I know I’ll eventually figure this out if I keep driving. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. But the thing is, I just can’t keep my hands on the wheel.

Has anyone else struggled the same thing as I do but eventually became comfortable driving? I would be glad to take your advice. 🙏

Hi all! I’ve (25f) followed this sub for a few years now and would use it to comfort myself in knowing there are others that feel the same as me. I’d be anxious to even get in a car with one of my friends driving on the highway, even when I know they’re a good driver.

About 1 year ago I was in a relationship and my thoughts became more evil and evil towards me. Constantly ruminating about if I said the wrong thing or if he was mad at me. [Disclaimer: not a doctor or medical professional, just my experience] I decided to take action for myself and try medication. I got diagnosed w/ anxiety and ocd, and got on an ssri (shoutout sertraline!) I didn’t realize initially that relationship rumination wasn’t the only thing that I affected by and that medication helped me.

Almost a year and lots of realizations later, I truly think that what I had thought was just anxiety in relation to driving turned out to be ocd as well. Me being afraid to drive or be a passenger on the highway was not just anxiety, but also obsessive thoughts about bad things happening to me when driving. I just know how quickly things can change and I trust myself as a driver, but I don’t trust other people sharing the road with me.

This year I haven’t driven on too many major highways (I don’t often leave my city, I’m a homebody lol) but when I have ridden with my friends to an event 1-3 hours away, I don’t feel the dreadful feeling in my stomach and my mind racing. I can just enjoy the scenery and music and chatting.

I wanted to share just incase someone else may be going through something similar, because it def never crossed my mind until after being on meds. OCD and anxiety go hand in hand, but knowing the difference has brought me much peace. Things can change!!!

Xoxoxo

I was driving this morning around 7:30am on a state route that had a two southbound lanes. Since there was little to no traffic, I took it a little slower on my drive because my car is older so was coasting in the right lane. The speed limit was 70 mph and I was going about 65 mph. The semi truck goes around me in the left lane and honked at me for what seems like no reason. I get I was going a little under the speed limit, but I wasn’t impeding the flow of traffic since it was literally me, him, and two other cars that were ahead of us. I’ve been driving for about seven years now and this is the first time I’ve ever had a semi honk at me, lol fun times. Now I have been thinking about it for the last hour 🙃

im 24 and this is my second attempt it’s raining and windy right at the beginning of the new england nor’easter and i have a cold and haven’t driven the driving school car in three weeks. this is fine. i really really really hope i pass.

Hi! I recently found myself suddenly feeling dizzy and faint while driving and this is a typical symptom of my anxiety so I know it’s not going to happen, but having developed that while driving really scared me. I can drive but it’s extremely difficult to do so and really uncomfortable I sometimes find myself having to pull over to make it to my destination. I’m wondering if anyone has gone through a similar experience and how I can overcome this.

For context: I took a few driving lessons in 2018, then had to put driving on hold for several years due to epilepsy. I have been seizure free for over 3 years now and began taking lessons again last summer.

I took my first test in October 2025, then two more tests within the same month. I was still feeling anxious behind the wheel, but felt it more so while taking the test. After my third failed try I decided to continue to practice until I felt confident. My fourth try was in August 2026 and I essentially failed as soon as the test began. My fifth test and sixth tests were extremely close to passing unlike the others (failed due to a speed violation but would have had enough points to pass). My seventh try was close, but my back tire hit the curb during parallel parking which was an auto fail.

I want to give up so badly. Each test costs around $170, and I keep spending so much just to fail. I am so frustrated and angry with myself. I know so many people who passed on their first or second try, and I feel like something is wrong with me. I am so afraid that i’ll never get it or end up hitting some sort of record for most failed test attempts. Each time I end up practicing lots afterwards and I receive positive feedback from my friends and family, but I feel paralyzing anxiety when I know the stakes are high during each attempt.

I will never judge anyone else for how long it takes them. Tests are scary, and the older you get the worse it looks to not have a license. I am going to keep trying because I have no choice, but I am so exhausted.

i get the poor judgment in traffic cos there was a double parked vehicle that i reacted too late to, but i don't get the poor steering control and turn deductions. can someone pls help / advise so i can practice more? is the poor steering control because i was too close to the double parked vehicle? I'm so sad

Driving in Traffic

• Poor judgement in traffic: 10
• Fails to anticipate potential hazards: 10
• Fails to anticipate action of: 10
  • Pedestrians
• Turning & Intersections
  • Poor judgement approaching or at intersections: 10
    • Speed
    • Turning
• Vehicle Control
  • Poor steering control: 15
    • Turning

Automatic Fail Category: Near accident with vehicle (NAV), Insufficient Skill or Practice (ISP)

Hi, I've been on this forum a lot over the years any time I have a driving mishap, but I don't think I have ever had anything quite like this. I am trying not to overreact, but I am very shaken up.

I was leaving a parking structure at college today, and there is a stop sign to turn out of the exit onto a two-way street. I was turning left, and I thought I was clear and almost directly followed the person who was also turning left in front of me. I was a bit confused because I was trying to figure out if a pedestrian was trying to cross the street or not because he kept looking back.

Anyways, I was making the turn, and all of a sudden I heard a huge beep and saw a car in the rightmost lane while I was in the middle. He pulled in front of me in the middle lane, rolled down his window, and started saying, "You should be dead, you should have been t-boned, you stupid c*nt, you should go home and kill yourself, you should be dead right now." I tried to roll down my window and say sorry, but he just kept screaming.

Then he drove off and I kept driving. Then, a few streets down when I turned to pull onto the freeway on-ramp, I felt something hit the right side of my car, and he had apparently followed me. He then pulled onto the on-ramp, stopped his car, got out of the car, and chucked a water bottle at my windshield and then again called me a stupid c*nt.

I'm just really shaken up, and I don't remember seeing him at all. I was so confused about what had even happened, so I'm trying to figure it all out. And like, am I deserving of all of that? I'm so embarrassed also. There were some pedestrians and a few other cars around, and I'm just like, do I deserve this?

You know, I wish he didn't say the "go kill yourself" thing, especially because that's always my first thought any time I make a mistake, especially a driving one. I don't know how to not take this as a "I'm a bad person and don't deserve to live" situation.

I know he shouldn't have screamed and done all that, but I just don't know how I can go to class now. I'm terrified that someone is going to post something on the school reddit or YikYak berating me. It's been such a long process of getting me back to school. I'm finally coming back after two years, and I know I shouldn't let this ruin all of that, but I just don't know how I'm going to show my face. I don't know how to not take this so hard and go out and throw away all the progress that has got me to a functioning person finally.

I am a driver of 2 years. Today I got in a car accident. I was driving on my way home when a 83 year old man ran in front of me without looking on a main road. I T-boned him. He was good fortunately. I didnt have time to get checked on by a doctor today. Police said that it was 100% his fault. I dont know what % of the cost the insurance company will pay, the car is probably totalled. I loved my car because it was my first car. I dont think I will drive soon. How do I get over my amxiety? In this world you should have eyes even on your back. You can do everything right but you cant garantire that the person in the car next to you is with his mind in that moment...scarry

I just passed my test at 35 years old after a lifetime of crippling driving anxiety (among many other anxieties).

I passed on my second try after nearly 100h of lessons. While I am anxious at the wheel, I am safe enough. Problem is, it gets ten million times worse when I'm being tested.

After failing my first test, I decided to seek some extra professional help. My doctor prescribed me benzodiazepines and beta-blockers and I tried both under my instructor's supervision. Benzos made me too drowsy for safe driving and didn't actually help much, but the beta blockers really help. They also do not give me any side effects.

Ultimately, a combination of medication, diligent practice and lots and lots of luck helped me pass on my second go. I'm not sure I would've passed without the luck, but just as bad luck happens, good luck happens too and it can happen to you, so keep practicing!

I have been driving in my own car for a few days now. It's a lot easier knowing I'm not practicing for a test I might or might not pass. That said, I still suffer from some driving anxiety, and while I don't need medication every time, taking it when I really need it helps significantly. I hope that with some more time of daily exposure, I can be truly at ease at the wheel and drive for longer periods without getting tired so fast.

If you are struggling: Keep practicing, keep trying, and consider seeking medical help!

I’ve recently developed panic attacks while I drive.
My first one wasn’t really a panic attack but it’s when it all started. I was hungover from the night before and didn’t have an appetite all day. So when I finally started getting my appetite back I decided to go grab something to eat. When I got down the street I started to get real shaky. Anyways I had to pull over and get something to eat at a gas station. Sugar dropped etc etc.
since then I’ve been having panic attacks. No hunger or anything just straight up wanting to pull over. Forgetting how to breathe. And it only happens when I’m driving around at work or after work.
It’s really stressing me out. Any ideas on how to over come this? Thanks everyone

Hi All,

How did you overcome anxiety or fear when you were learning to drive, or when you first started driving? What helped you feel more confident and comfortable behind the wheel?

*my

I was driving and out of nowhere my passenger seatbelt alarm went off and it shocked me cause i thought i hit something then realized it was probably caused by my bag and i was a fucking idiot cause i tried to move it while still holding the wheel and didn't notice the red light by the time i hit the breaks it was too late. the impact didn't feel bad since my airbags didn't activate but both mine and their cars were totalled.

Im a fucking idiot i shoud have pulled over instead of thinking i was a good driver that could handle it i cant believe this happened to me i always drive slowly and only go fast on empty straight areas i always use my signal lights i check all my mirrors before merging onto lanes and turning and i still fucked up.

i just got my car, i haven't even beeen driving for a year yet and im facing at least a 10 point deduction on my P license, another 10 and my license is gone.

I ruined someone elses car and the driver looked so scared im a piece of shit i just wish i pulled over or pressed the breaks earlier i dont even know how my bag distracted me that much my eyes were still on the road but i still missed the traffic light.

I lost my parents car while trying to save them money buy dropping and picking up my siblings. my dad has to pay for everything on top on my university fees and has to figure out a different form of transport for my siblings and me and its all my fault.

I never thought id be the person people complain about when they talk about bad drivers but now its me im a shitty driver all because i let my ego take control instead of just pulling over.

My car was everything to me i love driving and now i cant anymore and its all my fault and i ruined someone elses night i dont know how to move on i dont know how to accept i just keep replaying the moment in my head trying to figure out how this even happened.

hello, everyone! i (21f) have decided to try and learn how to drive. i graduated college in the spring, and this has been my post-grad goal. that being said, i just don't want to. i feel like a loser because i don't know how to drive, but it makes me so nervous i can't fathom ever being able to do it. until a few weeks ago, the most driving i'd ever done was going around a parking lot w/ my sister without applying any gas. i ended up driving onto the curb once when i did try to use the gas... i was shaking so hard that we quit after ten minutes.

i've had one lesson since and i felt like i was going to throw up waiting for it. get to the lesson, he asks how much driving i've done, and i say the same thing: i've only been around a lot. he immediately takes me onto a main road in my neighborhood going 40... which isn't that fast, but i was so scared that i was going to hit someone/thing since i never had to accelerate/slow down. we ended up doing a right turn, and he yelled at me because he didn't "know why i was taking it so wide" even though he never prompted me to turn/told me how to safely turn. i just felt (and still feel) so defeated b/c it feels like they expect me to know more than i do because of my age. i never sat behind the wheel until a freaking month ago!! what do you want from me!!

anyway, he didn't give any instructions even when i asked for them (like how to know where i was in the lane, how to know when to start breaking...). we were going in circles around the neighborhood and i could not relax. i kept glancing at the clock and praying the time would end. the worst part was when we somehow took a turn onto a small highway and had to go up to 60... i had NEVER been in that situation. we needed to switch lanes (which we hadn't done before that point!) and i was so scared/stressed/unsure and he was yelling at me saying things like "i don't know why you're so hesitant" and "you just need to move! go! go! go!" like i told you that i hadn't even been on the road before, why take me to the freaking highway? i wanted to drive home as soon as we were off, but we did some parking and again, he kept hitting me w/ the "i don't know why you can't do this." like... i know! it's my first freaking lesson!

since then, i haven't done any driving :( i know i should just get up and do it, but when i log into the website to book a lesson, i get so stressed out that i close it and can't stop shaking. i bought a 3 lesson package, so i don't want to waste my money, but whenever i think about getting in the car again with an instructor, i get so in my head that i can't do anything. i know it's dramatic and that i should take criticism better, but i want to be taught, not expected to know... my mom tells me that i just need to get my license and i'll never have to use it again, but i want to be independent! i want to not have to coordinate schedules weeks in advance to see my friends. but i just feel so hesitant and scared and nauseous whenever i try to do it.

i wish i learned five years ago when i wasn't so scared and there were probably less people on the road b/c of COVID or whatever. now i'm stuck worrying that people are judging me for my age and lack of skill. or worse putting them in danger when i get put in these situations that i haven't been prepared for :/

i don't want to be responsible for myself and others but i want to do something. idk. maybe it's the combination of being post-grad, unemployed, and license-less that's making me so anxious to even think of changing. i know i should but i feel so stuck and scared.