Let’s be real: driving scared me. Like, hands-sweaty-just-thinking-about-it level scared. I was the girl who always relied on public transport, Ubers, or, let’s be honest, my friends to get around. The idea of being behind the wheel? Terrifying. But something had to give, and I’m so glad I finally pushed through my fear and got my license. Here’s how I did it — and if you’re anything like me, hopefully, it’ll help you, too!
Step One: Admitting My Fear
For the longest time, I didn’t even want to talk about driving. I’d tell myself things like, “I don’t need to drive,” or “It’s just not for me.” But deep down, I knew the truth: I was scared. It wasn’t just the mechanics of driving that freaked me out — it was everything. The idea of merging onto a highway, getting lost, or worst of all, messing up in front of other drivers had me paralyzed.
The first step for me was admitting that fear to myself and then to others. Turns out, a lot of people go through this! Just knowing I wasn’t alone in feeling scared made the whole process seem more manageable.
Step Two: Taking Baby Steps
I knew I couldn’t go from zero to sixty (pun intended) overnight. So, I started small. I asked a trusted friend to take me to an empty parking lot on a weekend. At first, just sitting in the driver’s seat was enough to make my heart race. But after some deep breaths and a lot of encouragement, I started the car and drove very slowly around the lot.
That first little bit of momentum was everything. It was like the door to driving cracked open just a bit, and I could see that maybe, just maybe, I could do this.
Step Three: Professional Help
Next came the big step — driving lessons with an actual instructor. I thought I’d be super nervous (okay, I was), but having a professional there gave me confidence. They didn’t judge me for my mistakes and helped me understand the rules in a way that made me feel safe and supported. Plus, knowing they had dual controls made me feel way less panicky when things got a little intense.
Step Four: Conquering the Highway
The highway was my ultimate fear. The thought of merging lanes, speeding up to match traffic, or dealing with aggressive drivers made my stomach flip. But my instructor had a great approach — we took it one lane at a time. We’d drive on smaller roads, then work our way up to more complicated ones. Eventually, I was merging like a pro. And guess what? No one honked at me. In fact, most people didn’t even notice me, which was a relief.
Step Five: Practicing (Even When I Didn’t Want To)
After passing my test (yay!), I made myself drive every day for at least 10-15 minutes. Even if it was just a quick trip to the grocery store or driving around the block, I knew I had to keep the momentum going. There were definitely days I wanted to avoid it and go back to the comfort of being a passenger, but each little drive made me feel more and more confident.
And finally, I was ready to book drive test to overcome my fear of driving and get my license. If you are not ready for your driving test, it will be obvious. It wasn’t as terrifying as I once thought and I was finally able to get my license. What you need to know before getting your first car is that you need to be confidence behind the wheel. And that takes practice – sometimes a lot of it!
The Big Payoff: Freedom!
Let me tell you — the first time I drove solo, it was such a rush. I blasted my favorite playlist, rolled the windows down, and felt this overwhelming sense of freedom. Driving was no longer something to fear; it was a new way to explore, connect, and be independent. Plus, I didn’t have to rely on anyone else anymore to get where I needed to go.
Looking back, I’m so proud of myself for pushing through the fear. It wasn’t easy, and there were definitely moments where I thought, “Why am I doing this?” But I kept reminding myself that driving isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared, staying calm, and building confidence over time.
So, If You’re Scared Too…
Just know it’s totally normal to be nervous about driving. Take your time, start small, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s no rush to become a perfect driver overnight — progress is progress, no matter how slow it feels. And trust me, once you start driving, that feeling of independence is so worth it!
You’ve got this.
– A formerly terrified but now licensed twenty-something 💁♀️