[growlithing]

Hey guys. I'm 20 years old and I don't have my driver's license because I'm scared of driving. Nothing traumatic has ever happened to me in terms of a car accident, but every time I practice drive, I'm convinced that I'm going to crash and die or accidentally kill someone. I don't like seeing oncoming traffic and I hate accelerating/going downhill. Does anyone else have this problem? Where you able to overcome this? I really need to be able to drive.

[a bland]

I had this same problem when I was younger. I lived on a farm and I started to learn to drive big trucks when I was 13 and I was terrified! But one day my dad took me out into the middle of nowhere and just let me have at it. It's easier to learn to drive when there isn't anything to run into and no one to hurt and then he just kept taking me to more and more populated places each time. Eventually I became a heavy equipment operator for the navy. Haha crazy right! My point is start small. Get comfortable with a car before jumping on a highway. Good luck!

[Miswimmy1]

I can totally relate. I don't have a lisence either and I'm really scared to get one

[breath-of-fire]

My parents are gonna try and force me. They have been trying to convince me that getting a learners permit and then a license is ok and that driving is safe. XP Sorry I am not much help but I am the same way

I can relate to you..I have had many panic attacks while driving. You could start by talking to a therapist about your exact fears and try to make a plan on how to overcome your fear. Or you could get a driving instructor and start practicing..first in a parking lot and then increase the difficulty. You coudl ask a friend to come along with you in the car for emotional support. I think you are able to overcome your fear..If I can drive then so can you (: You just have to find a way that works best for you. Wishing you all the best

[robutts]

I'm 24 and I don't have a license. I live in Los Angeles, so there's really no such thing as a quiet drive here. I'm not a very good multitasker, and I'm hypersensitive to visual and auditory stimuli (I get very anxious on freeways and crowded roads even when I'm a passenger), so I don't know how I'm ever going to truly overcome this. :[

Sudden noises scare me really badly, so I'm always worried about tires being blown, exhaust backfiring... even just horns honking put me in panic mode. And if I ever have a real panic attack on the road, I don't even want to think about what might happen because my body reacts by locking up and it gets very hard to think or move, and that just sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

[A Red Panda]

I'm 28 and don't have mine yet. Cause I am terrified too! (also lived in a few large cities for 4 years without having anyone I knew with a car to help teach me... so have procrastinated and am still doing so)

[growlithing]

Yeah, living in a large city most of the year also seriously contributes to my problem. I don't need to be able to drive in Boston!

[SD21]

Don't worry about it! I felt the same way a couple of years ago. Heh, I got my license two months ago. But yeah, I was constantly asked, bullied, and yelled at for not getting a license. It was sooo bad that it was one of the reasons why I was suffering from clinical depression. But after a friend of mine (crush) motivated me to start driving, I started to practice more often. Bam! I finally got my license! You just need to find someone to help you with your problems. Oh yeah, be sure to take Drivers Ed, it will help.. a lot (insurance isn't cheap).

[Blue_Bird]

I'm like this as well, I still haven't even gotten my permit yet at 19... I'm going to try to within the next few months hopefully. I'm absolutely terrified of driving. I'm scared I'll cause or get in an accident, make other drivers angry, get lost, have a panic attack. I want to get into a driving course eventually because I don't have anyone to teach me or anyone I would trust who actually has a license I can drive with to practice after I get a permit.

[Yack]

Yup. I was fine until I was diagnosed with PTSD. I could not drive for a year. I got in the car and drove a little and then came home. I kept going until I could drive an hour. Coincidentally my husband is blind so when I met him I got over all driving issues including highways. I still have some trouble if I am stressed but not like years ago.

[patchwork5]

I've never had a driver's license, although I have a pretty good idea why not. As you say, it's possible to live in a large city without one - but don't kid yourself that it's convenient.

Try practicing in the dead of night. I know the roads are never completely empty in a large city, but I'm scared of traffic too - so I try at times when there's no traffic. Rural areas at night would be even better, but maybe that's too far away for you. Just a thought.

[shortandcute]

Driving is way over-rated. If it was really that necessary to our survival, the human race would have died out a long time ago. Besides, people who drive only take up about 2% of the world's population--so they're really in the minority. They just throw big shadows.

[Redsoft]

Maybe try driving at night....? I've always felt like it was strange as to why parents never let their kids drive "after dark"... To me, things are more obvious because everything is lit up! Reflectors, reflective paint, reflective signs, easily visible street lights, it's quieter, there is less traffic... If you're in a busy area, pedestrians are the main concern, but knowing that should be a top priority for your awareness makes it easier, too, in my opinion.