by Ken Goodman
fear of driving


Here is a list of the top 5 driving fears:

1. Past negative experiences

2. Driving outside of one’s comfort zone… alone



3. Fear of having symptoms of anxiety and being trapped

What if I’m stuck traffic and have a panic attack!


4. Fear of going too fast and losing control



5. Fear of Fatalities

Getting Past the Anxiety






About the Author




I have been trying to learn driving since 16 i am 33year of age and still to scared to drive i got my license jipeeeeee but i still think of all i did wrong and have this anxiety of what could have gone wrong or what can go wrong it feels like i have no control over the car. I even have nightmares of car crashes.

I myself feel Terrified of driving I have children and everyone in my family think I'm crazy or stupid ,just cause I'm not behind the wheel. it's not that I Know how to drive ,I'm just scared and I hate being trapped in my house I just don't know what to do.... I know how you feel.

Ever since I have had children I have an irrational fear of driving and a few other things. Picturing the worst happening I think the fear comes from either losing my children or something happening to me and I can't be there for them. I really have no idea.

This is exactly me. Plus add on the fear that I will accidentally cause and accident or hit someone and drive away without knowing it. Paranoid someday someone will come to my door and take me away fro. My children. I’ve never even had a wreck

Your fear of driving after you had children is exactly what happened to me. I used to drive all over the state, and even raced others in my BMW on the freeway. After two children it all changed. I don't do freeways, and been having to overcome just getting down the street. I would like to hear from those that have taken this overcoming class.

I feel the exact same way and i feel like my fiancé just doesn’t understand. I cannot explain why i don’t drive but when i try to I’m just giving “excuses”. I’m very ditsy i get sidetracked so much it isn’t funny. I have a 6 year old that i would have to start driving with him in the car. I won’t be able to drive alone. So i get terrified of the thought of harming him because i got sidetracked or i panicked on the road. So i just put it last on my priority list but i know i want to do more for everyone. I know i want to just go somewhere without asking for someone to take me. I know i would love to take my son places just to take him. But i never follow through with just studying and getting my license. I know the answer is to realize the fear and conquer it. But i never think of doing it when I’m supposed to. I don’t know i just don’t understand myself.

My fear of driving started when I was young. I witnessed many car accidents that made me scared to ever go behind the wheel. My parents showed me videos and images of car accidents from drinking and driving crashes and they really had an effect on me. I am so nervous for so many different reasons. Even as a kid I hated even being in the passenger seat of a car. I feel like a loser since people young than me have the ability to drive now. I really need to get over this fear, to help out my parents and grow this skill. But it seems impossible when I cant overcome my fear.

I relate to this, I've known too many of my friends who have gotten into terrible almost fatal accidents, and I have been in a few accidents while being a passenger. Now I'm too afraid to even get close to cars because even bumper to bumper cars. It kind of sucks because almost any younger person I know have licenses already and it's kind of embarassing and I don't want to rely on my parents on driving anymore.. I failed my test 3 times at this point because I keep having panic attacks.

I’m scared to drive when the need is sudden or Ik it’s a busy road. This fear has made me so defensive of my problem that I push it off and make it as if I have reasons not to get up and go.

Hi, I too, need assistant. I've been driving from 2003 without any fear. The fear started in 2016,never been in an accident. Number 3 and 4 from the above list are what affects me the most. I'm failing to drive on left-turns (bends), on free-ways and steep places (going downwards). I hardly drive in a speed of 60 km/h. Please help.

5 years ago i had my first panic attack. Long story short i went from being completely independent to codependent over night. I saw a therapist who suggested cognitive therapy. He also recommended a book that changed everything for me. It’s been 3 years since my last panic attack. Once in awhile when i start to worry or feel anxious I’ll dust off the book and refresh my memory. It’s so worth it.

When Panic Attacks
By: David D Burns

I too had an anxiety/panic attack 3 years ago, and it turned me in to a codependent over night...your story has given me hope! Thank you, i look forward to reading this book!

Hi I am in this situation now. Ive had anxiety for over 4 years now but it slowly started to interfere with my life, including driving! I have 4 kids and I am so afraid to drive with or without them due to having anxiety while driving. How did you get over your fear? Any tips you can help me out with? I do see a therapist and I am on medication. Thank you!

I had a panic attack too for first time. 5 yrs ago while driving on interstate. Even now I cannot drive. I get behind the wheel and feel disconnected and scared. I feel unsafe. I have driven twice in the past 2 years and that was for a few moments. What book helped you?


Please let me know if you find solution.
Exactly, mine began two years ago just like that I don't know the reason.I even stopped drinking alcohol and smoking because of this driving phobia.

I started driving in 2001 with my permit, no problem.. I enjoyed it.. I had times I felt anxious here and there on long drives but I didn't let it stop me.. but in 2013 I had a major panic attack driving to my work 25 miles away. Ever since I have not felt right driving, just knowing it could happen again. I am 32 now and this is not fun, especially since people do not understand.. I always wonder why me? Although my mother had this issue when I was a kid in the 90's. Still not fair!!! Hang in there friend!

I have battled anxiety for over 12 years now and ive overcome the social anxiety...going into grocery stores, the lines at airports, big open parties etc. Now this year, i have had a fear of driving on freeways, so i started taking back roads everywhere. i don't know why or how this started, but today i was on a back road and all think about is what if i lose control? what if i hit someone or crash. im so frustrated to the point where im constantly looking to make sure there is a place to pull off if i need to. does any one else feel this way? ive literally had no problems with driving...ive driven alone for hours and been fine. why now??

I've always loved driving. I was the one that always elected to do all the driving if I could. Never any fear of bridges or the like. Then one day 5 years ago I had my very first panic attack while stopped at a light. I didn't know what it was, went to the emergency room, that whole thing. Since then I get very anxious while driving and I cannot drive on freeways at all. I get panicked and am not breathing correctly, which in turn feels like I'm going to faint. It's awful. I know I'm supposed to face it head on and drive the freeways anyway but when I get closer to the on ramps I just panic. My husband has to do all of the long disgrace driving. It's so upsetting.

Holly, I feel for you. I have been having anxiety attacks on and off now for over 15 years while driving.
I have tried to reason many things that could be a cause. Like you I was always the one to drive, in fact I raced motorcycles in my younger days. I go through phases where I feel like I could drive a thousand miles with no problems at all and then there are many times I can't dive five miles on the freeway. To be honest one of the main reasons I am responding is because I have gone a fairly long time without having any problems until very recently. I can start out perfectly normal and looking forward to what I am heading to do then out of the blue it can strike. Rapid heart beat, breathing out of control, headache, neck ache, extreme dizziness, clinching the steering wheel until my hands hurt, flight response like I need to get out of the car and run, just all around panic. I have found some techniques that tend to help sometimes.... I will add and subtract with one hand using my fingers and concentrating on trying to fool myself. I will find and object in my console to flip around in my hand and count how many times I have rotated it. I know it sounds ridiculous but it actually does help to a certain degree. It also helps me to have another adult driver vehicle as a passenger. I have also been to a doctor many times after these have gotten out of hand for testing (blood work, CT, blood pressure ect.) and there is actually no other medical reason for it except for anxiety. During my phases of having this anxiety I avoid freeways, left turns, stop lights, if on the freeway I stay in the far right lane or I avoid travel all together. Yes you are correct it is very upsetting and I feel also degrading to a certain degree. Try to stay positive and good luck to you.

I'm in my late 50's now-when I was a young father-we did drives to Florida many times and I used to insist on doing all of the driving. Most people would tell me how boring the drive on I-95 was for them but I loved it. We even did a cross country drive in 2000. My issues started right after that-We planned another drive to Florida about 8 months after the cross country trip. Internally, I wasn't in the mood to do that drive again, But I figured I just drove cross country and back, so this is no big deal, But about an hour into the trip I started feeling anxious about the trip, I just didn't want to do it. Of course always insisting driving, I would never think of giving up the wheel to the wife, so along we went. I don't remember when it started. but I started to feel anxious and then had a dizzy spell and had to pull over. After it happened a second time, My wife insisted she drive. That was over 17 years ago and I still can't drive long distance without my body getting tense and stressed out to the point someone else has to drive. it's very upsetting to me.

I’m the same never had a problem with driving always suffered with aniexty then one day was driving along freeway nearly blacking out from panic attacks so now I can’t drive out of town I don’t know how to fix this so now I panic about having panic attacks while driving ☹️

Ok. Where to begin. Ditto! ☺️ How can this happen out of the blue. I have driven for 38 years. The last 20 years my job required driving. Now the idea of interstate driving is insane. I’m driving, my mind becomes conscious of where I’m driving and the fear begins. I rear to the right side of the road and drive slowly until I exit the interstate. I can manage general city street driving. I to have driven from Texas to Georgia and Texas to Florida. Nothing scared me. I do not recall if this fear is all post my 2015 heart attack.

Hi Ashley, my fear of driving just came out of nowhere and is getting worse. I have been to counseling , on medication, and even to hypnotherapy and it keeps coming back. My job is only 4 minutes from my house and I've been taking meds just to get there. I feel so weak when I drive like I'm going to pass out and my limbs go numb. This is terrible

I totally get where you are coming from. The tingling/dizziness/shortness of breath feels so real that I have actually wondered if I have some inner ear problem. However, it ONLY happens when driving....not even when riding with others. I feel helpless and embarrassed, and no one knows about it but my parents. Luckily I work 5 mins from home or I'd have a real problem.

Can you tell me what medication has helped you? As I have a severe driving phobia. I often pull over to the side of the road. i can not manage major highways without difficulty.

Any help would be appreciated.

I am 20 years old and I have been practicing driving for a year. my sister has become a skilled driver and I too know how to drive but whenever my parents ask me to drive I have observed increased heartbeat, sore breathing, and trembling legs or sometimes my whole body starts shivering. it's not that extreme but I can easily feel the changes. and now I have started experiencing anger in myself. I start fighting with my mother whenever she forces me to fight. no ones understands me they just think that I am a lazy ass is my emotions. My younger sister is so kind to me always but still, when this kind of thing happens she either laughs at me or gives me such expressions that feel so degrading. I don't avoid driving cox of my laziness I just don't like to drive. I feel so much pressured and fearful. my father is upset with me.


Please does anyone know the solution ?Please help me




I feel the same!😕 it comes out of no where!! You feel like you are almost to involved in what's going on !! You being in control! My hands n feet do the same🙁 sometimes I have to put my car in park at stop lights! Breathing doesn't help! I'm still looking for a solution?? If I find one I'll let you know😊 it's hard having this I know! We'll figure it out!!!

Pray forme! LOL.

