Learning to Drive: Overcoming Anxiety and Building Confidence

To be honest, it's been over 32 years since I learned to drive. However, I've been in the training industry full or part-time ever since, so I don't remember how nervous I was back then. Anxiety is a common response to new experiences, driven by fears of failure, the unpredictable, and the unknown.

When we learn to drive, we're putting our trust in someone to operate a vehicle we don't fully understand, navigating situations we can't fully control. Therefore, anxiety is a natural and honest response to such a situation. With experience comes confidence, and training can accelerate that growth, even if the process spans decades.

Early Learning and Personal Anecdotes

Yes, my dad taught me a stick shift first when I was 15, and then he sent me off to driving lessons. My dad was a great teacher, but I was incredibly nervous. Having my dad with me was a comfort, but I had to face the challenges of driving in real traffic. One memorable incident occurred when I was on a training day practicing on an empty street with hills. I encountered a stop sign and, due to the manual car's nature, the car rolled back. I stalled at least five times, and a line of cars behind me started honking. I believe I had an anxiety attack, but I managed to pull off safely.

Additional Challenges

Another day, my mom, knowing I had been learning to drive with my dad, asked me to take her out to show her what I'd learned. We were driving and she suddenly pointed me to a freeway. Despite being skeptical and nervous, I answered, "Ok." She asked if I had ever driven on the freeway before, to which I admitted, "No, this is my first time," to which she jokingly replied, "Go fast!" It was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Building Confidence Over Time

Fast forward to driving lessons, I was cool, calm, and collective. It's all about building confidence over time, as you get more practice under your belt. It's very normal to be nervous at first, but as you progress, you'll find that driving becomes more comfortable.

With each lesson, you gain more confidence. You may have good lessons and bad ones, and you'll undoubtedly struggle with certain maneuvers. But no one is perfect. Continually practicing the things you're not so good at will help you achieve continuity and consistency. So, take each lesson as it comes, relax, and enjoy the experience. Good luck on your journey to becoming a confident driver!

Conclusion

Learning to drive is a rite of passage that many of us go through, and it often comes with its fair share of anxiety. By understanding that fear and nerves are normal responses, and by consistently practicing and gaining experience, you'll develop the confidence needed to handle the challenges of driving on your own.