I passed my driving test in my 30s around 2018, but it’s just never clicked. I know how to drive at a fairly competent level and I’ve passed all the tests and so on, but I hate it. I don’t know what it is but I will procrastinate and make excuses whenever it comes to driving. I’ve never crashed or anything like that, I guess it’s just a confidence thing.
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I’m 18 and I find driving to be extremely enjoyable as long as there is no traffic and if there is it’s whatever
It’s just so peaceful music on or not, especially driving at night, I will take any opportunity to drive at night
I stopped having driving anxiety after my first big trip. I went to a different big city, went like 95 trying to cross state lines as soon as possible and after I got there I realized that I had made it hundreds of miles with no incident.
Just exposure and experience until it’s just another thing you do to get through your day. But also, is it just not having confidence in your ability to drive, anxiety about getting into an accident or just not being fond of driving? You need to figure out why you feel this way but my 2 cents would be just try to get as much experience as you can and eventually it should click.
Just drive and drive some more. I was never not confident when I got behind the wheel. Years of playing video games kind of got me used to the basics as to how everything worked. Stay in the lines, use turn signals, check all directions on a sweeping basis, and you’re pretty much set.
Honestly exposure is the best medicine. The more you drive (and drive the same vehicle), the more confident you will become with it
I’ve been driving for 17 years and my best advice is, just drive. You have to want to drive to become a good driver. I love driving, its relaxing for me, unless someone is backseat driving. Time is the best teacher. Also, manuals help with enjoyment, especially in a sports car. Also, motorcycle riding is enjoyable too.
People that hate driving tend to have boring cars that would make anyone hate driving.
Get a sporty car. Go drive on some empty winding roads. Then see how you feel about it
Know the laws of your state. Know where you are going.
Drive the speed limit and also realize those assholes who are riding your break lights are exactly that.. assholes so don’t worry about the people behind you.
Last tip is drive a car that has a bit of speed so you can confidently distance yourself from others if need be and keep your brakes and tires on a proper maintenance schedule.
All this will add confidence to your driving because when you feel and know you’ve done as much to your vehicle to add safety then you will feel more confident.
The only thing I can say is keep driving fr. Seems a bit weak coming from a professional driver but that’s really all I have. I mean you’re gonna have to work thru that confidence barrier, I mean what else can help you get over that hump?
Don’t drive like you’re the only car on the road. Defensive driving is being aware of EVERYONE. The average person drives(imo) like they are only concerned with keep themselves safe. This would alleviate so many bad situations.
Watch the car in front of the car you’re following and make sure you check your surroundings often
I feel that maybe the more you do it the less stressful it will be over time?
Which country are you driving in?
Best thing for confidence is to just drive every opportunity there is, Need something from.local shop, Get the car out, mate is on a nighr out, drive them home, Bored on your day, Go for a drive to the countryside (UK country roads will build that confidence very quickly) or the next town/city over (or for 5-10 blocks if in a large USA city).
Driving is a skill, every new driver was scared and nervous about it, after the first few adventures, the confidence builds, I’ve been driving my car a lot for the last 2 years and I can tackle Central London traffic at the peak of rush hour or I can take the country roads in the Scottish Highlands at night with ease, its a matter of the more you do it, the easier it gets… Plus driving with some good music is also among the pleasantries.
It’s like any physical skill, repeat, repeat, repeat until your muscles react faster than rational thoughts.
vibe?
sometimes i just vibe, some of my favourite moments was driving at 2am in a quiet city playing tunes, and just feeling it. one of my favourite comments made was someone made a comment after a night out at the bar that driving with me was like being in a car commercial.
i started driving when i was 21 so that was over a decade ago.
i don’t stop getting nervous, i’ve almost spun out on icy roads before but recovered, drove during a blizzard, been almost hit multiple times, deer, a bear, and almost been hit by a rogue mattress, etc.
but i’m still here, i’ve yet to actually crash or hit anything. i now know i can recover from slipping, and the only thing you can do is put yourself in safe situations.
i don’t get angry while driving, it’s okay to be slow, if you’re finding yourself late and rushing it’s because you suck at time management. plan for your trips, if your familiar with your routes you should know about how long it takes for you to drive. also don’t drive tired.
Drive to the speed your comfortable with. driving feels and road feel sensations through the wheel and body sway is a huge tactile feeling thing. if your driving in the dark, don’t be stupid and over drive your vision. put your self in the lane you need to be well ahead of your turn, etc.
Seat time, seat time, seat time.
Also take things at your own pace, most things will be fine as long as you stay clam and take your time __(except on ramps/merging with traffic, just match the speed and slot in to traffic)__ .
Understand and respect your limits as long as you stay within your limits and leave room for the human factor (error), you should be fine.
__Go to a Track day__
“Never drive faster than what you have the vision for, you need to be able to stop with in your sight, you never know there could be a wide tractor around the blind corner taking up the entire road” – My dad around 2013.
I know you said you’ve passed your test already, but it never hurts to take professional lessons. You can explain your lack of confidence to an instructor, and s/he will help you work through it. The only trade-off is that lessons aren’t cheap (there’s a school in my neck of the woods that charges $180 for a 2-hour lesson).
I’m 33 and dealing with driving anxiety/disdain myself. I never liked driving, but I realize that I have to push myself if I want to open up my world both professionally and socially. As a guy with no car or license, I’ve struggled to keep women interested once they find that out, and my job opportunities are more limited. I can’t afford professional lessons, so instead, I’ve practiced near a port/abandoned naval base with my dad. Outside of having to maneuver around the big-rig trucks sometimes, it’s a nice place to practice since there isn’t that much traffic and there are only a few curves.
You don’t necessarily need to practice near a port or a naval base, but find somewhere you might be comfortable and that doesn’t have much traffic, like a quiet neighborhood. Another thing I do is I always place “Student Driver” magnets on the back of the car while practicing, so most drivers behind me will know not to give me a hard time.
Go racing. SCCA auto-cross is an affordable way to do so. You will learn the limits of your car in a controlled environment where you aren’t putting random strangers at risk.
Car people love to help, so just let the organizers know you have never done this before and are looking to learn your car and they will give you tips and advice.
If you don’t want to do that, the other option is to find a large open parking lot that is empty and find the limits of the car yourself. Which is way riskier but even cheaper (as long as the cops don’t get called on you)
To preface, I didnt start driving a car until my early 20s, i had driven a moped for most of my teens. But i have been a confident driver since i started.
I find that you just have to drive your drive. In gaming terms, You are the main character, and everyone around you is an NPC. This goes the same for everyone on the road, they are thier own Main Character, and everyone else is just an NPC.
Obey the Road Rules/Laws, and operate your vehicle safely.
Be respectful of others space.
If you need to take a turn, try to get into the correct lane early, if you cant do it safely then who cares if you miss that turn, there is another one up ahead, you can adjust your route on the fly. Especially these days with Google Maps/Apple Maps/Whatever GPS service you prefer, if you miss a turn, they auto update and provide the next best route to get you there.
Almost daily i encounter people who.missed thier exit on a roundabout/traffic circle, who then stop in the middle of the road to do a U-turn to get back to the correct place, almost causing a traffic accident everytime.
Drive to the flow of traffic, if everyone is doing 5 over, keep pace or just a bit slower, if everyone is doing the limit, do the limit or just under. Dont ride someones bumper if they are going slightly under the speed limit, wait until its safe to either pass, or use another lane. If someone is riding your bumper and you have the chance and it is safe to do so, change lanes to let them by.
In general, just be a curteous driver. If someone is being “aggresive” on the road, give them space to make thier own mistakes, because they will, and you dont want/need to help them make those mistakes.
I am a person who LOVES driving.
I have done multiple 3000+ mile road trips, solo or with others.
Ive driven in foreign contries, on the other side of the road, in the other side of the car that im used to.
Be aware of your surroundings
Come from somewhere you’d have to drive on snow to get somewhere
Smoking weed before driving. I know it’s illegal but it makes me 10x more patient and calm. Leading to less road rage, anxiety, speeding tickets and able to cope with constant traffic jams caused by stupidity of other people on the road.
The first time I had to drive a my girlfriend, my sister, and my mother somewhere my *powerful stoicism powered by sheer toxic masculinity* refused to allow me to show nervousness because I didn’t want them to be nervous.
So, y’know, fake it ’til you make it I guess.
Look at other worst driver than be confident about your bad driving afterwards
Go somewhere that you can pay to drive a go-kart. Rent one and drive it hard. Driving like that, being closer to the ground will give you a different perspective. Driving a full sized vehicle on the street will seem easier. When I took my first son for a driving lesson we took a couple of laps around the neighborhood in the Camry. Then went to the highway so he could drive in 5 o’clock traffic at 60 mph. Then back into the city with everyone else heading home or wherever and then back home. So from his first day of driving with me he got his driving “baptism”. A couple of more times with that and then I put him behind the wheel of my ’92 Toyota 4Runner. I told him if you can get use to driving this truck, driving your mother’s car will be super easy. So I guess the key is that you have to put yourself in stressfull driving situations BEFORE you find yourself in a stressfull driving situation.
Drive more.
Practice.
Just get pissed at shitty drivers and you’ll build up confidence in your own driving.
Experience like everyone else is saying.
For me, it was also important that I got used to driving alone. During my first few years after getting my license, my dad didn’t quite trust me enough not to wreck his car(s), so he’d often accompany me just to backseat, judge, and correct me. I stayed a nervous and unconfident driver until I switched to a university that required me to drive myself in the mornings. Having to call my own shots and directly confront my anxieties every day for 2-3 years ended up being the cure.
As many others have said, more seat time = more confidence. Ease into the busier, faster traffic areas as you gain experience. Master the mechanics of driving until they become automatic, checking rear views, smooth braking and acceleration, signalling, etc. Stay at the posted limit (not below unless conditions warrant) And please, Mother of Zod, get out of the left lane unless you’re passing, especially on interstates and major highways. You’ll get there! Good luck and happy motoring!
Pay attention
The thing that everybody forget, about driving is that is the most similar thing that we have to piloting a mecha, you have to thing that you are moving around with a metal armor at 100km/h 60mph for anglo, what else do you need, you basically became a technology adavmced human being