Tips to Overcome the Fear of Driving for the First Time

Are you new behind the wheel? If so, chances are you have mixed excitement and nervousness. For novice drivers, feeling afraid of driving for the first time is not unusual. Going for the first time can be a frightening experience to the point where you may almost give up. Though the fear is real, the good news is that you can do things to feel more confident about driving.

Driving

Driving is not just about memorizing the road rules and proper driving techniques. To master this skill, there are a few things to consider when you have your first experience behind the wheel. Before you drive a car, you need to prepare by learning to take care of things that might come up on the road and know more about the vehicle you’ll be driving.

First and foremost, all first-time drivers should consider taking a driver’s education course to learn safe driving practices that will last you a lifetime. You should know the vehicle you will be driving, like where the indicator is located and how other functions are operated. Get comfortable in the driver’s seat and find all the basic controls, such as the lights, blinker, horn, and pedals. Adjust the seat height and mirrors, and ensure no distractions. Now, as you’re set to take the ride, remember the following tips to overcome your fear and anxiety of driving for the first time.

Keep calm and do not overthink the situation.

For every novice driver, the biggest stress is focusing on many things. Since driving requires multitasking, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. From remembering all the rules to keeping a watch on road signs, it is important to clear your mind and focus on driving. Overthinking the situation will impede your concentration.

Drive on a familiar road and avoid highways.

For beginners, driving around their neighborhood or on a familiar route is best. Don’t get nervous with other drivers around you, and always go at your comfortable speed. In the beginning, never get overconfident about hitting the highways. You can move onto bigger and busier roads only when you start to get comfortable in the driver’s seat.

Have an expert with you

When an experienced driver sits in the passenger seat next to you, driving gets less scary. An expert can better guide you while driving and help identify and rectify your mistakes. A pro driver always assists new learners during a driving learning course.

Be alert and leave enough space.

It is important to pay equal attention to cars in front of and behind you. It would be best to watch changing traffic conditions by focusing on vehicles coming from any side. Moreover, always maintain a gap from the car in front of you to avoid rear-end collisions. Such accidents are quite common and can be avoided by leaving sufficient space behind the vehicle in front of you.

Sandy Ryan
Writer. Music advocate. Devoted bacon trailblazer. Hardcore web fanatic. Travel junkie. Avid creator. Thinker. Skateboarder, coffee addict, record lover, reclaimed wood collector and RGD member. Producing at the junction of minimalism and mathematics to craft delightful brand experiences. I'm a designer and this is my work.