I have a driving phobia that I still fight at age 42. I got my permit at 16, my license in my 20's, but not being able to afford a car for so long really made things worse. I also lived in a couple of cities with robust public transportation.

But now I'm in southern CA and I have no other choice--I must drive. I have a car and I drive to work and errands, but all local streets. I avoid highways.

But this is what is working:

I see a cbt therapist to help me get over my phobia
I have a fantastic driving instructor who understands I have a phobia
I have a gps and I bought a dash compass and I look at google maps all the time to get over the sub-fear of getting lost
I have a AAA membership to get over the fear of being stranded
I keep emergency supplies in my trunk
I keep a phone charger with me and my cell phone on me AND a usb/cigarette lighter charger in the car itself
I keep my car well maintained

My cbt t is great in breaking down driving into manageable steps. A year ago I couldn't name what it was about driving that freaked me out. Now I know it is a bundle of other fears, fear of hurting someone, getting lost or stranded, freezing and panicking while driving etc.

The driving instructor can in a similar way break down what it is about driving that you need to improve. I need to improve merging onto highways, understanding how to use my mirrors etc.

Avoiding driving makes the phobia worse. Sometimes having a calm trusted person with you can help you manage the anxiety short term.

If you have any tips I could always use more!

Wish you the best with this frustrating issue!