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Overcome your fear of driving

5 helpful tips for nervous drivers

Most of us can’t wait until our 17th birthday to finally get the freedom of the open road. However, there are some of us who find the idea of getting behind the wheel a daunting prospect. This can range from planning out routes to avoid certain obstacles to never getting in the driving seat at all. We have some helpful tips that will hopefully make learning to drive a little less intimidating for nervous drivers.

1.Start small

The thought of driving on a busy road may seem impossible, but taking small steps to increase your confidence behind the wheel will help you realise this goal. Maybe you could start by sitting in the car with the engine running and get used to the different controls. You can also try practising in your own driveway or an empty carpark first before progressing on to the open road.

2. Shop Around

If you’re nervous about starting driving lessons it’s crucial you find a driving instructor that is understanding and patient. Read online reviews, ask friends about the instructors they have used and make sure to discuss your driving issues with your instructor before booking any lessons. Many people give up on driving altogether because of a bad driving instructor so it’s important to find someone who will allow you to progress at your own pace.

3. Practice makes perfect

You may not be a confident driver, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be. Make sure you practice as much as possible outside of your lessons. The longer you spend on the road the more confident you will become. Choose a friend or family member that you feel comfortable with and that won’t make you feel nervous. If you have to solely rely on official lessons consider upping the frequency of your lessons to two or three a week to make sure you get used to driving regularly.

4. Mistakes are part of the learning

A lot of people avoid driving out of the fear of making a mistake or embarrassment. Remember everyone has to start somewhere. Stalling at a light or getting beeped at for taking too long to parallel park is something that happens to even the most confident drivers. We have to make mistakes in order to learn from them.

5. Don’t stop with the test

Passing your test doesn’t mean all of your driving concerns will completely disappear. Take your time getting used to driving alone and consider taking additional lessons. The AA offers a number of driving courses for new drivers to improve their experience and confidence including driving on the motorway, inner city driving and night time driving.

When you pass your test SERE can help you find the best first car for you. For some helpful advice read our blog on the best car for new drivers.

At SERE, our company ethos is entirely customer-focused. We pride ourselves on supplying high-quality, great value cars in a relaxed and pressure-free environment so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today on 028 9020 5100