8 tips for nervous drivers

Monday 17th February 2020

With driving comes a lot of responsibility. And naturally, this can evoke some stress or nervous feelings among drivers – especially if they have recently passed their test. So how do you deal with anxiety while driving? Read on to learn our 8 tips for nervous drivers, from making sure your vehicle is prepared for your journey to using your satnav and traffic apps.

Why am I such a nervous driver?

First, it could be helpful to establish why you’re feeling nervous while driving. There are many reasons why you could be a nervous driver, or you’re experiencing driving anxiety, some of which could include:

New driver – as a new driver, you’re unlikely to have been subjected to a wide variety of driving experiences, which can lead to nerves due to lack of control or the unknown.
Driving alone – it may be that you’re experiencing driving anxiety mostly while driving alone. Perhaps as a new driver, you spent a lot of time with other people in the car – so when it comes to driving alone, you’re simply not used to it.
Driving at night – one of the most common reasons to be a nervous driver is driving at night. Everything looks different in the dark, and it’s especially nerve-racking driving in unfamiliar areas that may be dimly lit past sunset.
Anxiety about driving long distances – driving long distances more often than not includes motorway driving, which can be a trigger for nervous drivers. The length of the drive can also be a point of stress for some drivers.
Driving following an accident – of course, if you’ve had an accident or someone you know has been involved in an accident, this is enough to cause many people to feel nervous while driving.

8 tips for nervous drivers

So now we’ve established why you may be experiencing anxiety behind the wheel, here are our top 8 tips on how not to be a nervous driver:

1. Prepare your vehicle

Part of driving anxiety is feeling like you’re not in control over everything on the road. True, you can’t control how fast other drivers go, or if they pull out on you at a roundabout. But what you can control is a level of safety of your own vehicle.

Check that your tyres are in good condition, ensuring you look for any signs of uneven tyre wear or damage. Familiarise yourself with tyre safety tips – as knowing that your tyres will take care of you should alleviate some of your driving concern!

Another way to prepare your vehicle is to make sure your car has been regularly serviced. Knowing your vehicle is properly checked and maintained should help you relax slightly more while behind the wheel.

2. Asses your mental state

A top tip to figure out how to deal with anxiety while driving is knowing your own mind. When you’re stressed about something and feeling overwhelmed, that isn’t necessarily the best time to try and tackle your nerves. Wait until you feel comfortable and more confident – it’s likely you’ll have a better chance of success if you’re in a calmer state of mind.

3. Listen to music

It’s proven that music has positive correlation to calming nerves – so why not try to listen to some upbeat music while on your drive? Ensure the volume level is moderate, as you wouldn’t want the music too loud to distract you, but enough distraction from the anxiety of driving. Alternatively, you could listen to calming classical music to soothe your nerves, as this is likely to improve concentration.

4. Combat nerves with company

As established earlier, driving alone may be a trigger for nervous drivers. To be able to combat your driving anxiety, try driving with a family member or a friend as being able to talk to them can work in the same way that music does, in that it removes the initial stress of the action. However, it can work in an opposite way for some people – it may be that driving with passengers in the car can add another level of pressure and stress, so it’s subjective to the individual’s preferences.

5. Drive in familiar areas

While trying to combat your nerves, drive only in familiar areas that you know, and preferably in daylight. Here, you’ll be able to anticipate when you need to turn right; what exit you need to take on the roundabout; where the dual carriageways are – meaning there’s likely to be less surprises.

Of course, you can’t account for knowing everything on your route, as there may be temporary traffic lights or roadworks, but at least you’ll know where you are. Try to drive around familiar areas a few times a week for at least 20 minutes, and hopefully soon you’ll get used to it!

6. Use the satnav

These days, most modern cars have built in satnavs, or you should be able to use your phone in a cradle by using a Maps app to direct you. You may know where you’re going, but being able to visualise the map of the roads could be helpful to calm your nerves! You can see what’s coming, where you need to turn next and how long you have left of your journey.

Using traffic apps, such as Waze, are also a great way to stay in control on your drive. This is not only a satnav, but a live traffic app – monitoring the roads using real-time information about the traffic condition. So no surprise queues or sitting in traffic for half an hour – with traffic apps, you can divert your route, or at least be prepared for what’s coming!

7. Clean car, clean mind

Similar to the prospect of tidy house, tidy life, if your car is full of junk, it may lead you to feel stressed and less in control during your drive. It could also be dangerous to have your car untidy under the driver footwell – as rubbish could get lodged and stuck underneath your brake pedal. It may be worth cleaning the outside of your vehicle too, as if it becomes too dirty, this could lead to problems on the road, such as registration plates not being clear to read – which is a criminal offence.

8. Go back to basics

It may be that you’re not phased by driving at night, or driving alone – but it’s your driving technique which is causing you to stress. Go back to basics by relearning and practising good driving habits, such as continually checking your mirrors when you are turning or braking; ensuring there is enough distance between you and the driver in front of you; and signalling with plenty of time. If you’re still unsure, it may be worth brushing up on your theory test, such as hazard perception or road signs, or even having a few refresher lessons with a driving instructor.

Now you know how to deal with anxiety while driving, ensure your vehicle is ready for its next journey. Book in for an Interim or master service, ensure your tyre pressure is correct and your vehicle is prepared for both long and short journeys on the road. For any more motoring queries or advice for nervous drivers, get in touch with a member of our helpful team today.