If you still tense up whenever you get behind the wheel, you're not alone. In fact, driving anxiety is far more common than you might think; one survey found that more than 66% of Americans are nervous when performing certain maneuvers on the road, with highway merging and reversing topping the list. But what is it about driving that makes us clam up—and why is it so hard to move past that fear?
Bad Experiences
It's understandable to feel shaky behind the wheel if you've had a bad experience in the past. Maybe you were in an accident, or maybe you had a near-collision. If you were at fault, you might fear getting back on the road because you're worried you'll lose control and end up in a similar situation. And even if it's been a while since the incident, the emotional aftermath can still linger, making the roads feel treacherous long after you're physically safe.
But these scary moments don't define you as a driver, and they certainly don't define your abilities. The more you let them consume you, and the more you replay them in your mind, they'll only continue to chip away at your confidence.
Constant Overthinking
You may overthink both when you're behind the wheel and when you're not. After all, when you're scared of driving, your anxiety can feel overwhelming and suffocating to the point that you nitpick everything you did wrong while ignoring all the things you did right.
If you have a perfectionist streak, you might feel like nothing you do is ever good enough. Even after a successful drive, your mind only remembers the mistakes: the honk you got from another driver while switching lanes, the turn that wasn't as smooth as you wanted, the parking spot that took five attempts to reverse into. What you might not realize is that all drivers make these mistakes sometimes, and everybody has an "off day." So, instead of focusing on the negative, focus on how you can learn, improve, and grow.
Lack of Practice
The real reason you can't seem to get over your fear of driving? Simple: you lack practice. The more you avoid getting behind the wheel, the more anxious you’ll feel the next time you have to drive. The best thing to do is to get back on the road as soon as possible, even if you're just making short trips around the block.
It never hurts to ask someone to come along during these rides, especially if having company makes you less nervous. Having a trusted family member or friend sit beside you gives you an extra set of eyes, too, which can take some of the pressure off during those initial practice runs. As your confidence builds, try heading out on your own to run errands or visit places that help you feel calm.
Remember: your driving anxiety won't disappear by avoiding it. Take small, meaningful steps, don't be too hard on yourself, and with the right practice, mindset, and support, you'll eventually get behind the wheel without that nagging fear. You're more capable than you think—you just have to go do it.
