Aisha's story: overcoming driving anxiety

When Aisha first started looking into driving lessons, she had already abandoned lessons twice with other schools. "I was so anxious that I'd cry before lessons," she says. "I thought I'd never be able to drive."

Finding the right instructor

Aisha was matched with Priya, an instructor who specialises in helping nervous drivers. "Priya understood that we needed to take things slowly. She never made me feel rushed or stupid."

The first few lessons focused purely on getting comfortable in the car. "We spent an entire lesson just sitting in the car with the engine off, learning where everything was. Then we practised in an empty car park for weeks before going on any roads."

Building confidence gradually

Techniques that helped Aisha:

• Breathing exercises before and during lessons
• Positive visualisation of successful driving
• Breaking down each skill into small steps
• Celebrating small achievements
• Choosing quiet times and routes initially

Test day

"I was nervous, but Priya had prepared me so well. We'd driven every test route multiple times. When the examiner asked me to do a parallel park, I actually smiled because I knew I could do it."

Aisha passed with only 2 minor faults. one for hesitation at a roundabout.

Life after passing

"Getting my licence has been life-changing. I can take my daughter to school, do the shopping, and visit my mum without relying on anyone. To anyone else who's nervous. don't give up. Find an instructor who understands, and take it at your own pace."