10 Easy And Simple Tips To Overcome Your Fear Of Driving I The Speakmans

[@alextoft9199]

I adore cars. I spend all my time researching and learning about them, and worked for Citroën in sales. I passed first time with 1 minor. I was so confident. I used to drive all over. I went into Central Manchester, and thought I went through a red light. I started to get obsessed with points on my licence etc. For 10+ years now I haven't really driven. Technically I have a working car. I drive it occasionally on short trips in the countryside where my parents live. Never on my own though. I have tried for years but cannot get over it. The obsession point just changes. Now it is about spatial awareness and overtaking cyclists safely. Getting trains and buses is a major inconvenience and my dream is to just be able to go where I want, when I want. Most people take it for granted, but for me it is a lifetime dream to drive without anxiety and OCD.

[@stephpeace19]

Mine isn’t a fear of driving as such it’s a fear of motorway driving or driving places unfamiliar. On the normal/local roads I’m very confident! How do I tackle this xx

[@nikandevaspeakman]

The best way to address this is to understand the start. The fact that it’s about unfamiliarity, considering a past event where you may have been lost or driving somewhere unfamiliar and something going wrong, hearing bad news etc could be a possibility as your starting point. Hope that helps.

[@andn25]

I haven't driven after getting my driver's license 9 years ago. I recently bought car and was excited before I got it but now I m terrified to drive it.i have lost all my confidence in my driving and have a lot of negative thoughts about driving. When I drove the 1st time in th car I felt free now it's like I avoid the car altogether. I will take some of your tips when I decide to drive. Thank you for the tips.

[@erraihanifouzia8315]

I dooo have the same problem !!! Please did you overcome it ?

[@premabundhoo2063]

My situation too is exactly like yours...what did u do?

[@Sanovia20]

Same problem for me! Did it help?

[@Arzooghazel]

Thanks. I will try to calm and remain stress free.

[@susanwilsher5906]

Hi, just wondering if you've done the video on fear of heights (and the connection to driving) yet? Thanks

[@LunaStarlight35]

Thank you so much. I am 16 and still afraid of driving, but I hope that this can actually help me. Thanks! I really appreciate those ten tips. I feel better already.

[@jenn2439]

hey um so i’m 16 too and scared of driving. it’s been two years, i’d really like to know how it all turned out for you 😊

[@siranul]

I really did enjoy their background, the whole aesthetic I enjoyed in its own way. Gorgeous!

[@siranul]

(I subscribed because of it!)

[@everydaylifes]

I had a panic attack driving in the works van about a year ago i quit my job because i found it to hard to drive ...i've tried driving but i can feel that panic come on. and i took a back seat and let my partner do all the driving..hope to break this fear soon :)

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Daniel, sorry to hear that, please let us know if this video has helped. Remember, don't blame the car for the panic attack.

[@marionevans668]

Thank you Nik & Eva your information & help & I’ll let you know how it progresses fingers crossed your both amazing & I love you both xxx

[@dawnmoffat8823]

Thank you

[@nikandevaspeakman]

You're welcome

[@MsClaret2010]

Thank you both for another very informative and helpful video, watching your advice videos inspires me and gives me confidence to better myself in the various aspects that you speak about. You're both kind,generous and inspiring people 😊 xx

[@nikandevaspeakman]

We appreciate your lovely comments, and we are pleased to know that our videos are helping you, much love xx

[@dragonrider116old4]

Yes I find there videos very helpful , and have just recently brought there book can't wait to start it .

[@jithunair4526]

This is the best advice.. Thanks to both of you, really you helped me

[@nenggeulis9003]

Wish I can meet you both before my driving test.

[@francoisr4036]

@Neng Geulis I have spent months studying ways of beating the fear of driving and discovered an awesome resource at Roys Quick Fix (google it if you're interested)

[@garyknight607]

I absolutely loved jumping into my car with my wife and son and going for days out. Unfortunately I have been unable to for 5 years or so. I was employed as a professional lorry driver and I adored my job until I experienced a panic attack whilst driving on a motorway, the worst type of attack when you believe that you are going to die. If I found myself in the outer lanes with vehicles on either side of me I felt totally out of control, additionally the fast pace of the motorway added to my anxiety. I realise that it is not the motorway I fear it is the fear of experiencing the panic attack and the fear that I will pass out on the motorway. I lost my job due to trying to find alternative non motorway routes but with traveling long distances obviously was not possible. I've just been chatting to my wife about where we can take our boy tomorrow and knowing I cannot currently drive on the motorway is soul destroying, I feel that we have missed out on so many days out, adventure just taking of in the car which really upsets me.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Hi Gary, the root of this problem is to find out why you had the panic attack in the first place. A panic attack is a symptom and starts with a thought, so you must therefore have seen something or thought about something (even something you may have heard on the radio) whilst you were driving which triggered the anxiety. As you had the panic attack on the motorway, you are now blaming the motorway, when in actuality this never caused you any problems, and you were driving on them for years. If roads/motorways were a risk for panic attacks there would be a warning in the highway code. You need to think about the hundreds if not thousands of trips you had without panic attacks, as opposed to just that one, and identify what it actually was that caused it as it wasn't ever the motorway's' fault xx

[@samahbenahmed5789]

@@nikandevaspeakman it’s not that easy I do have the same problem after a sudden panic attack . We know it’s not the high way we know everything but when it comes we can’t stopped it’s so frustrating and frightening I mean the panic attack

[@medichitrakar8164]

Two year ago one of my close family member died when she was standing near trafic light… a speeding BMW hit the other car in front which was coming towards traffic light…possibly in panic the driver hit the accelerator instead of break which then hit my family member standing near the traffic light…since then I am just scared to drive the car…i am unable to over come this fear “WHAT IF” i hit someone and that person dies but the fault is not even mine. I used to drive 7 seater now I drive Aygo yet my anxiety is at top level… I stopped driving my family car. I desperately need some suggestions /help😢

[@slithering007andmuchmore6]

You are the Best ❤️ Thankyooooooooou so much for your guidance xxx much love to you both xxxx

[@nikandevaspeakman]

So nice of you to say, thank you x

[@laurieobrien4888]

Just think ye are soo brilliant and soo helpful thank you

[@DP-bo4yw]

Informative video, thank you.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Thank you, pleased you found it informative.

[@judyjenkinsbmc2]

Excellent information, hope a lot of folks will you this as I do, makes it so simple. Thank you. Judith, CA

[@anoukdegroot]

Thanks a lot for the ten tips! I hope i can put them to practice soon, as I plan to be driving from the UK to Portugal and am still very nervous behind the wheel. Thank you!

[@hina1767]

Hello Speakmans I haven't actually passed my driving test yet but what I would like to know is if you have any tips on staying calm as sometimes I make silly little mistakes and because of this I make even more mistakes. So I just wanted to know if there is some way to keep calm and in control wherever I am driving along for eg roundabouts or dual carriage ways, slow or fast roads and especially when I have to do my reversing manoeuvres . Thank you Hina

[@kirstysewell871]

I passed my test 1st time 2012. Still haven't done motorways but re learning the highway code and booking some lessons with the lady I passed with... I'm scared of hurting someone

[@abdulgoney6544]

I like the last one

[@1234DadMom]

thank you 😊this really helps

[@mamamesha317]

What if you never been in a car reck or know of anyone that's been in a bad reck, but you fear of getting into a bad reck. I think it's all the news I have seen people dying in car accidents, so do you think I have a fear of dying? I don't have panic attacks but it's close, I cry, I scream and I tell the driver what to do, I am always looking out on what can happen and every movement of other cars that I tend to think the worst case and the other cars are going to cause the reck amd we will be hurt or dead. How can I overcome this.ps I love #1 , I never consider thar, which I will from now on, so thanks 😊

[@mamamesha317]

Pps maybe I am also a control freak because if I don't tell them what to do then we might get hurt or crash.

[@manga720]

Can you share the link to the other video you mention please.

[@hogardepolina]

What about fear of screwing up everything as a novice driver?

[@nikandevaspeakman]

That’s different as thats down to practice and building confidence by becoming a more proficient driver. You’ll get there! Keep practicing 😊

[@obiwazz6929]

Thank you for this. Your work is very valuable. I was very happy to find your channel and I have subscribed to it.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Ahh thank you. Really pleased to hear you've found the videos helpful x

[@dunia5967]

I have bad anxiety when I drive for a long time now I have a baby I need to get over the anxiety because I need to start tAking my baby out ! &’not rely on anyone

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Hope tips help. We also cover this in our book Conquering Anxiety. Therapy to address and challenge the origin will help you to overcome your fear. On here we have a great technique to help too. Search ‘Stop Anxiety Now’ and also take a look at our TikTok as there’s lots there tooo.

[@sickinkysquidsam]

When was a very young child before I had ever been in a wreck, I had reoccuring nightmares of driving, as a young child, having no idea how to drive, and always wrecking. Usually going into a deep ditch or hitting a tree or just losing control. Woke up crying and terrified everytime. Could that have contributed to my fears? Or maybe I have unknowingly been in a wreck and just blocked it out of my memory?

[@nikandevaspeakman]

We have worked with numerous people who have created a phobia due to a nightmare, therefore it is very possible, however phobias can also be created in childhood from watching a film, copying someone else’s behaviour such as a fearful parent or sibling or from hearing a graphic story

[@rachelsaunders7567]

Hi, Thank you so much for these videos, they're really helpful. After driving a lot for work over the last 10 years I've recently started having panic attacks when driving over bridges, even though I've done that route for years? Nothing has changed, no crashes etc. but its really made me nervous of any journey now as I don't know if I'll find myself driving towards something high. Please can you add the link to the 'Anxiety when driving over bridges' as I think any advice will help xx

[@nikandevaspeakman]

This occurs often, and usually stems from an underlying fear of heights. Take a look at our anxiety film to start with on our channel, and we will also add this fear of heights in the coming weeks. So happy to hear you find our films helpful. Many thanks x

[@annagirstun1029]

snap this is me. really restricts my options.

[@DP-bo4yw]

This is me but on motorways . I really cannot work out the root cause.

[@ranilov6081]

Feeling my car Is swerving.. but somebody will drive it's ok for them..is this psychological problem or only in my thought or brain...I'm 48 yr old I start driving 2012....thanks

[@dawnmoffat8823]

I am learning to drive,I am 55years old and was doing good but my problem is changing gear I become very anxious and start panicking makes feel I can’t do how do I stop over thinking and causing myself to panic please help as I really want to drive.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Take a look at our film 'Stop Anxiety Now' it's so good. Imagine yourself driving confidently and well whilst carrying out the technique shared. You've got this and you can do it. Goodluck x

[@dawnmoffat8823]

Thank you so much for the reply I’ve watched the video so I’ve actually started driving short distances daily to build my confidence and I’ve discovered it’s not me I fear of driving it’s the way other people are driving on the road thank is frightening me and causing me to panic x

[@dragonrider116old4]

I've not drove in 2 months I used to love driving , the thoughtnof getting stuck in traffic scares me

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Do you have claustrophobia? Fear of driving is the most common culprit for what we call ‘transference’ where another phobia impacts driving. Most commonly these are claustrophobia or fear of heights. Sometimes also, someone may be stuck in traffic and desperately need the toilet, or to get to an urgent appointment. The anxiety they feel due to this, they transfer to the car as that’s where they’re sat when feeling it. The most effective way therefore to address your issue is to work back to understand where this originated so that you can both work through it and make sense of it. Hop that helps.

[@dragonrider116old4]

@@nikandevaspeakman yes I do I won't go in supermarkets on my own aswell , I had a car accident yrs ago but was driving after that just recently I have stopped , I think I'm scared of panicking being on my own or causing an accident. I'm also suffering with cherophobia do you have a video on that please that would help me so much .Thankyou

[@hybridangel3403]

I'm 39 only just passed I am petrified I might have an accident. I only got my licence October.

[@Kelly-oe8kr]

Unfortunately it was the car’s fault in my case. When I was about 5 we lived on a really steep hill, my mother sent me out to wind the windows up in the car as it was raining, after I climbed in and closed the door behind me the handbrake failed and the car started rolling backwards down the hill. Little me had to jump out of a moving vehicle (as I’m typing this I’m thinking how brave I was!), the car crashed into a telephone pole on the other side of the road at the bottom of the hill (150 metres away) I got blamed for the accident and was severely disciplined by my mother’s psychopath heroin addict boyfriend (no one cared that I could have been killed). Since then I have always had a fear of not being able to stop a car fast enough in an emergency or even leading up to an intersection. Any suggestions of how to overcome this?

[@nikandevaspeakman]

The car would have only been at fault had it released the hand break itself intentionally. This of course isn’t possible as it is just equipment that is activated by a person. Once you can accept the car had no intention to harm you, and that it will only react to human command then you will realise it only serves you and you are in control of it and not vice versa.

[@MrsSmoot-vl3nz]

No help here for me 😥.

[@tracymacgregor4654]

Music is so annoying 😐

[@stellaeleptheriadou3062]

You mean Amaxophobia

[@nikandevaspeakman]

-There are a number of names for fear of driving including vehophobia, amaxophobia, ochophobia, motorphobia and hamaxophobia, All are correct.