Driving a car can be one of the most therapeutic things ever. You rarely lose yourself in about anything when you’re out there, and it’s just you and the open road. For some people, it’s about the thrill and rush of hitting the gas pedal and whizzing by everything. To get all that, though, you need to start somewhere, and that isn’t always easy. Before you start driving for the first time, you are overwhelmed by feelings of fear and anxiety. What if I crash the car? What if I hit someone? A million questions will race through your mind, and you’ll be quite nervous. But, if you follow these tips, we assure you, things won’t be as bad as you think. 

Get some company

some company

One of the easiest and most effective ways to relax while driving is having someone accompany you. When you get a companion in the car, you feel a lot less stressed as opposed to driving on your own. So, always have a friend or relative with you in the car for the first few weeks, at least until you get the hang of things. But, try not to take a parent –– they always get nervous and start yelling at every wrong turn you make. And you definitely don’t need that right now.

Get comfortable in the car

And how exactly do you do that? Well, you need to create a safe environment in the car before anything else. That starts with adjusting the seat to a position that makes you comfortable, all the way to wear comfy clothes and shoes that wouldn’t bother you while driving. It helps some people if they play music, too, and that might just be the last piece of the puzzle to making you relax. Pro tip: Turn on the AC for the first couple of weeks, even if it’s winter, so you could drown out any noise coming from the outside, because it can get really tense at times.
Forget any bad experiences

So you’ve crashed your father’s car while driving it for the first time, and you nearly crashed into a trailer on your second. Who cares? This is the kind of thing that happens to everyone at first, and you can’t really let it get to you. Put yourself in a headspace where past experiences don’t mean much, and don’t allow them to affect your future. So, put all those bad times behind you, learn from them, and focus on what’s yet to come!

Breathing techniques

Regardless of what you think, breathing techniques do really help, and they’re a great approach to trying to relax. So, breathe in slowly, inhaling through the nose as deeply as you can, and exhale just as slowly. You’ll start feeling your body relax and all your muscles loosening up. After a while, these exercises will come naturally to you.

Take a driving course


One of the most guaranteed ways to relax while driving is taking a driving course. Most of your fears will be put to rest with one, because what could possibly go wrong? There’s a professional instructor next to you, and you’re driving in an insured car, so nothing could really go wrong. The experts at L Team Driving add that there are even certain approaches for beginners that make the whole process a lot easier. For starters, beginners are taken to a quiet area to drive in a stress-free environment. After they get used to the car mechanics and everything related, they’re taken on the road to give it a go. So, a driving lesson is something you should definitely consider.

Confront your fears

Fear is a strange thing; it has the ability to completely paralyze you, rendering you incapable of taking action when you know you should. The best way to get rid of it? Confront your fears. Does the notion of being out there on the road alone terrify you? Take the car, and go drive out there on the road by yourself. You’ll realize that when you do confront the problem head-on, things will be much simpler, and driving will no longer be something you dread.
Drive during the morning

Until you’ve completely managed to conquer your fears of driving, it’s always better to move around in daylight. That way you’ll have better control of your bearings, and it’s much easier to drive during the morning than it is at night. 

Start small

Whenever you’re starting something new, it is very important to start small. Take baby steps until you get better, and for driving that means driving around the block and in your neighborhood so you can become comfortable behind the wheel. With each time you drive, you’ll feel your confidence growing, and in time, it will be second nature to you.

Experience the highway

While they can be challenging, even for people who have been driving for some time, highways are something you’ll have to get used to, and even love. Nothing will give you confidence on the road as much as driving on a highway. If you’re a new driver, it’s best if you find a less popular highway until you get more comfortable. After a while, driving on a busy highway will be a walk in the park, and no road will ever scare you again. All that aside, driving at high speeds with the open road ahead of you will give you a rush you won’t be able to resist in the future. 

Talk to someone

It’s natural to be overwhelmed with fears and concerns when you’re driving for the first few weeks, so it helps if you talk to someone about it. Whether it’s a therapist or a friend, venting your fears and concerns could really help. Besides, you never know what kind of advice you may get to help you on your journey.

Getting behind the wheel is a lot simpler than you could possibly imagine. But the thing is, it’s something you’ll never know until you try. So, put your fears to rest and get in that car, and you’ll soon discover that it’s one of the most entertaining things you’ll ever do.