just passed driving test but now nervous about driving. is this normal?
 

I've just passed my driving test and have a car lined up which I'm getting a week on Friday.

Thing is I'm getting nervous about driving it on my own. Since I was 17 I've had lessons on and off so always had someone next to me.

It's now come to me being able to drive on my own and kinda nervous about it

Perfectly normal. Just start off easy by yourself, quiet roads, roads you know, no distractions (no music) and no phone (!!!) and soon hopefully you'll be more confident and excited driving by your own. But starting slow is always s good idea - especially to get a feel for a new car.

Congrats on getting your licence :)

But yes, normal.

Yes totally normal. The first few times I went out after passing my test I took my mum with me. Could you do something similar?

Also although it's not a legal requirement in the UK have you thought about getting some new driver plates for your car? I found it gelped as people gave me more room to breathe and made it less stressful when I made minor errors. I kept mine on my car for 6 months.

Firstly, well done on passing your test.

I think almost everyone is nervy about going out by themselves the first time. I think it's probably best to eased yourself in so whilst you get used to the idea maybe have someone sat in with you, maybe inn he back seat to give you a bit more space to get used to no one being there. Also remember every car is different so the car may drive differently to the one you're used to.

perfectly normal. I was like it for a fair amount of time when I passed, kinda made sure I had a family member or friend in the care with me. more for reassurance that someone was there rather than anything else. it soon passes. I think its just odd driving alone the first couple of times, its like your expecting someone to go turn here, or watch that car there

Yes its totally normal. I hated driving when i had passed and got my first car and it took a while to build confidence. Its good to go slow and stick to quiet roads but sayng that I had my ex at the time who forced me to drive to a town miles away which helped a ton. It wasnt long before we were driving 3 hours to the seaside just for the day. I love driving now. Id get a job doing it if i could find one.

Just dont smash off a wing mirror driving the car home soon as you get it cos trust me it doesnt help... and if you go slow make sure to push yourself after a few months to go somewhere new or you could end up like my sister who still takes the train or bus to loads of places she should drive to cos she has no confidence.

I agree with tiredout!

After my mum passed her test (when I was little) she was nervous and only struck to driving very locally. She never progressed past that and doesn't drive on the motorway at all because she thinks she doesn't know what to do!

So get driving, start off with something fairly straightforward, but make sure to do something that stretches you a bit like a motorway or driving further away now and then just so it refreshes in your mind what to do.

Oh, also, have you thought about doing your pass plus? That should help with gaining more driving experience indifferent conditions, like motorway driving etc.

Agree with everyone!

I passed my test in Dubai and I was a nervous wreck but gradually got used to it!

I passed my test in England earlier this year but haven't driven as don't own a car. I'm definately going to get some lessons before I drive and despite all of this the first time I'm on my own ill be terrified!

Thanks guys :) yeah Saturday morning will be spent doing quiet roads may push myself a little bit and go to work Sunday morning the day after as won't be too busy.
Got a black ford fiesta. My goal was I didn't want to be a mum in the future who couldn't drive.

That's pretty standard to be honest. In my mind the people who aren't nervous just after passing are the ones who turn into boy racers and **** drivers. ;)

I've been passed for five years now and I still feel anxious sometimes when driving. :P

Immediately after I passed, I attempted to drive to college, took a wrong turn and ended up going down a really narrow country lane with no turning points for about 30 mins until I got to the coast. Ooops!

Although it was nerve-wracking, I never felt anxious driving after. Is there any way you can challenge yourself to drive somewhere a little further away? Maybe drop off a friend/family member at a shopping centre etc and drive back yourself?

Hey just an update I drove for an hour in to the villages anD back and it was fine :) now time to try busy roads at somepoint

Well done :)

agree with Catbug that passplus or some sort of advanced driving course might be helpful. it wasn't until I started driving larger vehicles (ambulances) that my confidence on the road really started.

Hey well done for getting your licence :)

I was very nervous when I first got my car 4 years after passing my driving test. In fact, I didn't leave the village on the first few outings, just went to practice parking in the big car park. That's always a good thing to get used to, especially if you do find that your new car is quite different to the one you learnt in.

I was also given motorway lessons for Christmas and I did put off doing until March but it was worth it. I'm still terrified of going on slip roads though. So looking at pass plus courses might be a good idea for you; it's not just motorway driving but night-time and city centres too (and if you're lucky bad weather driving).

I've recently got a new job with requires me to travel to various places throughout the county and it's terrifying. But as I learnt yesterday (when I had a diversion due to an accident), I find it's better to go and do it. Otherwise I'll be putting it off for a long time and the longer I do so, the harder it'll be in some cases.

Good luck with it!

Well done!

My boyfriend passed his test a few weeks back and got his car on Tuesday. We went for a 30min drive and he was fine! There was a little parking issue which shook his confidence so I have been telling him he should get back into the car tomorrow and not to let it knock down all the confidence he has built up!

I think it's just a case of practising until it doesn't feel like a big deal anymore :)

Parking is hard for me as well lol kinda bumped another car the other day which has shaken me a bit but other than. That all is fine. Bit nervous about driving it from time to time but will hopefully get over that :)

Yeaaah thats what my bf did! Got his wheel caught with theirs and then kept stalling and it did freak him out a bit!Everyone I know has a mishap story about when they first started driving a car so it isn't just you. The best way to get confident is to practice :) x

First time I took my car out alone, I reversed, panicked and hit accelerate instead of brake and went straight through my dad's flowerbeds and garden! Its totally natural to be nervous and make minor errors. Could you get a 'P' plate for your car so other drivers know you've just passed and will be a little more lenient/patient?