Overcoming Nerves
Nervous Learners
Despite the title of this page, it’s not just for nervous learners with anxiety. There’s a lot of useful information and tips about driving tests and dealing with driving test nerves here, so read on.
What's it all about? Nervous about learning to drive? Let's settle those nerves
On this page we will look at the following as you consider driving with nerves and anxiety:
- Is it safe to drive
- What to expect from your first driving lesson
- How to prepare for driving lessons
- Anxiety about your sitting your driving test – Tips to take the nerves and anxiety from your driving test
It’s perfectly understandable that for some people, particularly nervous learners with anxiety, the thought of learning to drive a car, or even just sitting behind the wheel of a car, is a nerve-jangling thing. No matter whether you are brand new to driving, or even if you’ve driven before, and regardless of your age, anxiety and nerves can overtake anybody.
The DriveAll Driver Training Co. knows how to help you with this. We have seen it all before. The most important things are that you must be made to feel at-ease and comfortable. You must be relaxed, and the lessons must progress at your pace. You will not be pushed into moving onto the next stage unless you are happy to do-so. If you are not ready to practise roundabouts for the first time and want to continue a bit longer on quiet back roads, then that’s what you’ll do. It’s your lesson.
You will never be spoken down-to or made to feel silly. You are not a child. There will be no shouting. Mistakes are going to be made – that’s what happens. You are learning a practical skill. The way it works is that you learn by making mistakes and learning from them. You will work with your instructor to learn and master the techniques you need to do what you need to learn to drive and to pass your driving test.
What your driving instructor will do is to help you build your confidence at the same time as developing your skill as a driver. Your instructor will fully prepare you for your driving test so there will be no nasty surprises. It won’t seem like an impossible task any more. You might even look forward to it. You’ll certainly feel fully prepared and ready.
Once you’ve achieved the task – you can tick it off your list – learn to drive in Bournemouth and Poole. You will pass your driving test and be out driving on your own, confident and wondering why you were ever nervous in the first place.
Firstly - Is it safe to drive if you have anxiety or really bad nerves?
This really depends on you. Generally speaking, nervous learners with anxiety will usually pass their driving test, and be safe to drive on the public roads.
As you would expect, whether or not a person has anxiety or nerves, if a driver feels over-tired or is left unable to concentrate, then driving is clearly unsafe. For this reason, the driver – learner or experienced driver, should not get behind the wheel at that time. A person should always feel clear-headed and be able to concentrate before driving.
If you have really bad anxiety or nerves that severely affects your day-to-day life, the chances are you have already sought medical help. You may have been recommended changes to lifestyle or have been given medications that can relieve symptoms. Always check with your doctor if you are allowed to drive if you are taking medication that may affect your ability to drive or operate a car safely.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be available to help on the NHS. This is a proven therapy that can really effective in dealing with anxiety and nerves, amongst other matters.
If you are a sufferer of regular panic attacks, then driving may be an issue on safety grounds. Again, getting advice from your doctor is the best course of action if in any doubt.
There may be more serious symptoms that could affect your ability to drive safely. Frequent panic attacks, for instance, could be problematic when it comes to learning to drive. If you’re in any doubt, see your GP and they’ll be able to advise you.
What to expect from your first driving lesson with The DriveAll Driver Training Co.
Firstly, you will not be put on busy public roads or expected to drive from outside your front door on your first lesson. Or for several lessons. Not until you are ready and want to do that. Your instructor will work with you at your pace, not theirs.
Often nervous learners with anxiety can become fixated on what they don’t know will happen, but fear will happen. This can be counterproductive.
It’s a really good idea therefore to understand what your first driving lesson will be shaped like, and what you’ll be doing. Simply put, you’ll learn about
- how to get comfy and in the right seat position, with the mirrors adjusted correctly
- the car’s controls
- how to move off and stop
- how to turn a corner, if there is time
Your instructor should agree with you what you’ll be doing at the beginning of each driving lesson anyway, so there will be no big surprises.
Asking your instructor questions is a thing we encourage, and even like. There is no such thing as a bad question.
How to prepare for driving lessons
Being in the right headspace is really important when taking driving lessons. Here are some tips to think about to help you:
- Don’t be tired – get a good night’s sleep
- Try to leave other concerns at home
- See if your instructor has appointments outside of the school-run and rush-hour
- If you are nervous about driving in the dark, try to book lessons during daylight hours
- Consider relaxation techniques, such as meditation.
- Ask your instructor for a short break if things are getting on top of you.
- Work at your pace – your instructor will. Don’t push yourself too hard
If your confidence starts to desert you
It is perfectly normal for some lessons to go badly, just as many will go well. It is nothing to be worried about Sometimes when we are learning to drive, we have good lessons and bad ones too. That is normal and to be expected, so don’t get upset or depressed about this. Be honest with your instructor and tell them how you feel. They will encourage and help you best. They have seen everything before.
Anxiety about your sitting your driving test - Tips to take the nerves and anxiety from your driving test
Taking any test can make anyone feel apprehensive and for nervous learners with anxiety, a test like the driving test can be very frightening. The fear of failure is often the thing that upsets people the most and can cause the most problems on the test itself.
Your driving instructor will prepare you properly for your test. You will be fully briefed, so there will be no surprises. You will know exactly what will happen on the day.
Remember that you will not be sitting your driving test if you are not capable of passing it. Keep that in mind. You’re not ‘having a go’. This is for real. You’re there to pass, and there’s no reason to think that you won’t. Here’s a link to gov.uk where you can find out about driving tests.
Before you take your driving test
- Talk to your instructor about how you feel if you need some support.
- You’ll need a full skillset for the test so practise all the things your less sure of, including any manoeuvres.
- See if your instructor has any extra slots available for extra training
- Go to the test centre with your instructor to see the outside layout
- Understand that to be nervous is to be normal
- Consider keeping the details of your test to fewer people to minimise distractions and pressure.
The day before your test
- Keep positive by getting some exercise. Take a walk or go to the gym.
- Don’t drink alcohol the night before as you might feel bad for your test and not be legal to drive
- Get lots of sleep
On the day of your test
The day of your test if just another day. Make sure you think of it like that, and you will feel much better. Do what you normally do, be it watching TV, reading or working.
- Make sure your instructor picks you up in plenty of time – We normally are with you at least an hour beforehand. This gives you some driving time, without you driving so long you get tired.
- Drink plenty don’t drink a lot of caffeine – you don’t want to be strung-out on caffeine, but rather just alert.
- Turn your screens off an hour or two before the test to clear your mind.
- Dress in a comfortable way that is practical.
- Double check the time of your test but don’t obsess about the clock.
- You can take a family member or friend with you if it help you.
During your test
Overcoming driving test nerves
Here are some easy ways to deal with driving test nerves and to get the most from your driving test.
- At the start of the test, deal with preparing the car, starting the car, and making your observations. That’s the crucial first 15 seconds of the test.
- Listen to the Driving Examiner – Ask if you need an instruction repeated.
- Don’t show off. The examiner doesn’t want to see anything but safe driving.
- You are allowed to explain to the examiner why you made a decision -even if it was a bad one.
- If something happens that is new to you, don’t panic. Think it through before acting.
- If you think you’ve failed – forget about it – you probably haven’t. The Driving Examiner will assess the situation based on the complete circumstances. If you keep thinking about it, you WILL make more mistakes.
- The test is not over until you are told it is over. Stay sharp and don’t get lazy when you think you’re on your way back.
Your Questions About Nervous Driving Answered
Learning to drive can be nerve-wracking, but you’re not alone. Our FAQs address common concerns and provide insights into how we support nervous learners every step of the way. Explore these answers to discover how we make your driving journey comfortable, stress-free, and tailored to your needs.
DriveAll Driver Training instructors are experienced at creating a relaxed environment where lessons progress at your pace. We work to build confidence, to ensure you feel relaxed during your lessons, so you lose the nerves and enjoy the lesson.
No. You’ll only move to the next task when you feel that you are ready. It’s your lesson, and your comfort comes first.
Mistakes are all part of the learning process. The whole idea is that you will make mistakes and learn from them. They are what is known as ‘learning opportunities’ and you will be encouraged to learn from them without being made to feel bad.
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Take the First Step Today
Nervous about learning to drive? Our supportive instructors are here to guide you every step of the way, helping you gain confidence and master the skills needed to succeed. Let’s conquer those nerves together!