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Calm your driving nerves

Nearly every learner feels nervous before a lesson or a test. Nerves come down with practice, like any other driving skill. These are the tools our instructors use with nervous pupils.

Use these before you drive, never while driving

Practise at home, in the car before you set off, or in the test centre waiting room. Once you are driving, the phone stays away. What you have practised comes with you: a slow breath out and a word to bring your attention back to the road.

Breathe

Slow breathing, around six breaths a minute, is one of the best studied ways to bring stress down. The NHS recommends it too. Two minutes a day at home makes it work faster when you need it.

In for 5, out for 5. About six breaths a minute. Before a lesson or test, and gently while driving. No holding your breath.

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Two minute nerves check

Five quick questions. You get practical steps for what worries you most. Nothing is saved.

1. How nervous do you feel about driving right now?
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2. What worries you most? Pick any.
3. How does it show up? Pick any.
4. Do you have panic attacks away from driving too?
5. Are your nerves stopping you from booking or going to lessons?

Your answers stay on this page. Nothing is saved or sent.

After a mistake

A mistake rarely fails a test on its own. What often does is the panic afterwards, when your attention turns inward onto the mistake instead of out onto the road. DVSA says: “You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.” Learn these three resets now, so they are there when you need them.

I stalled

Almost every learner stalls at some point, and examiners see it every day. A stall dealt with safely does not usually fail a test. What matters is the restart: safe, calm and with good checks.

  1. 1Handbrake on and select neutral.
  2. 2One slow breath out.
  3. 3Restart, check all round including your blind spot, and move off when it is safe. Then say to yourself "next hazard".
I went the wrong way

DVSA says: "The examiner will not give you a fault for taking a wrong turning. They’ll help you get back on the route if you do." A missed turn is not a mistake on your test.

  1. 1Carry on driving safely. Do not swerve or brake late to make the turn.
  2. 2Let the examiner get you back on route.
  3. 3If you did not catch a direction, it is fine to ask the examiner to repeat it.
Someone honked or tailgated me

Most learners get honked at or tailgated at some point. It says nothing about your driving. Other drivers can see the L plates and roof sign, and they can wait.

  1. 1Keep your own pace. Do not speed up to please them.
  2. 2Breathe out slowly and relax your grip on the wheel.
  3. 3Eyes back on the road ahead. Their horn is their problem.

When it is more than nerves

These tools are for everyday driving nerves. If you have panic attacks away from driving too, or your nerves are stopping you from driving at all, talk to your GP. If you are 18 or over you can also refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies. Never take medication for test nerves unless a doctor has prescribed it for you.

Learn with an instructor who gets it

Our instructors teach nervous learners every week. Quiet roads first, your pace, and a plan for the moments that worry you most.

Lessons for nervous drivers Read the full anxiety guide