Some people are a natural behind the wheel: Even on their first few times out, they seem to have everything under control. They learn the trickier aspects of driving fast, and everything else just comes easy. They enjoy driving and love being out on the road.

If this is not you at all, your nervousness, or even downright fear, could be because of some of these reasons:

  • Past experiences of car accidents
  • Fear of getting lost
  • Fear of car trouble in unfamiliar places, especially desolate roads
  • Feeling uncomfortable or claustrophobic traveling through heavy traffic
  • Seeing a bloody car accident on television (or witnessing it in person)
  • Losing someone you know in a car accident, or having someone you know being badly injured in a car accident
  • Overall lack of confidence in your skills

So how do you take the jitters out of being behind the wheel?

Here are 10 ways how:

1. Always have company on the first few weeks.

The company of an experienced driver can do you a whole lot of good while you work on getting comfortable being in the driver’s seat. Just knowing that someone’s around to answer your questions, help you sort out any issues that come up (like being rerouted), get you back on track should you start to get overwhelmed and disoriented, etc., can help you relax and focus.

2. Master the basics.

Take every opportunity to get behind the wheel and focus on the basics: parking, backing, braking, shifting, turning, etc., as well as your working the foot pedals, using your mirrors, and so on. Challenge yourself to perfect them within your first few weeks as a licensed driver.

Mastering the basics also includes mastering the standard road/traffic signs, which is a big help in boosting your confidence in navigating the roads.

3. Know the traffic rules.

The prospect of being stopped and cited for traffic violation may be one more thing that makes you feel nervous about driving, so get ahead of this and know all the traffic rules to get rid of the anxiety of breaking them.

4. Know your neighborhood better.

Now that you’re driving, it pays to know your neighborhood and the nearby areas like the back of your hand. If one road’s closed off or heavily congested, for example, you should have no problem finding an alternative route to get to your destination.

5. Keep your car free of clutter.

The idea of “Tidy house, tidy life” is also true when it comes your car. Declutter your car to calm your mind and give you a sense that things are under control. That leads to focus, and then confidence.

6. Stick to daytime drives until you get the hang of driving.

Things can get dramatically different at night, so while you’re still building your confidence, drive only during the day.

7. Listen to music, podcasts, an audiobook, etc.

This can be especially helpful once you’ve weaned yourself from driving with company. Soothing music can keep you calm, while upbeat music can boost your mood and put in a better frame of mind to effectively tackle the driving task at hand.

8. Drive when you’re most alert.

You definitely want to be 100 percent alert every time you hit the road, especially if you have already started venturing out by yourself. Drowsy driving is one of the major causes of road accidents (697 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in 2019 per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, making up 1.9 percent of the total driving fatalities in that year). And a lot of the drivers involved are experienced drivers, just drowsy, and therefore less effective.

9. Get comfortable driving on the highway.

Part of what makes nervous drivers nervous is having to navigate highways and freeways. Might as well get that specific fear out of the way by practicing. Do this when you have company for the first few weeks, but start tackling this challenge sooner than later. You need the confidence boost from this particular milestone.

10. Let technology do its part.

Today’s cars come equipped with all sorts of technological innovation designed to make your driving experience safe and hassle free. GPS and Sat Nav take the guessing out of driving, so put them to good use. (Having said that, we still recommend mastering the basics, because there will be times when you have to rely on your own knowledge and skills.)

Embrace the rewarding experience of driving and car ownership. Take on the challenges and aim to drive with skills, pinpoint instincts, and confidence.

If you need ancillary products that are not included in your current manufacturer’s warranty, check out your EverCare options.

https://evercareprotection.com/products/