How to start driving again?

[MMM]

Yes, practise makes perfect. This applies to driving. If it has been so long, go for refresher course. But after which, make attempts to drive.


If you have a supportive spouse, volunteer to drive for those short trips and then gradually increase to longer/ independent trips. Since you are worried, you will be a careful driver, this probably will have less tendency for accidents.

I agree parking is a hard nut to crack. Maybe try to get someone to guide you in those public carparks first. Go for empty lots first before doing it with cars on both sides.

I recalled when I first passed driving and got a car, I drove from bedok to town. No one else in the car can drive as my hubby hasn't even learn driving then. Maybe a blessing in disguise for me as that made me the designated driver for a year. In the car, I had pils, nephew, hubby + me and we had to go to the lawyer's office. I drove along ECP left lane probably at a slow speed as my 7 yr nephew (he is 19 now!!!), commented on \"why is it so slow???\" and then drift off to dream land after awhile :rotflmao: Can't believe I was so gungho... I made it to town and the next challenge was parking... for a start, try those empty lots. As your confidence increases, then try with with a car on 1 side and then subsequent cars on both side. Wonder how I managed to squeeze into a lot, the memory is blurry. But when fil reached home, he complained of neckache and discomfort as he was holding on to the handle at the top of the car. He was probably more stressed than me.... It's really funny to recall this. I had some other minor incidents after that but all these are part of learning curve.

Actually despite that I've been driving for 10+ years now.... I still cannot do parallel parking. :oops: The initial attempts led to scratches on the car and I would rather walk very very far than to park in the parallel lots (unless there are 2-3 empty lots in a line so i can simply slot in. There was once that my boss wanted to go to a restaurant at upp thomson and I told him that if it is parallel parking, either you park for me or I am not going there.

[Chenonceau]

It happened to me before too. But my hubby went overseas for 3 months, and it was either drive or lug all the groceries by bus. For the 1st week, I was a nervous wreck but after that I haven’t looked back.

[MMM]

jedamum:

have to be vigilant when pedestrian is concerned. they walk everywhere they like! more than once, i see the traffic lights turned in our favour, but the vehicle beside me still not moving. then realised that blocked from my sight, someone is trying to cross the road. :faint:

This is so true. Sometimes the car infront stopped for a reason. So be patient and give them the benefits of doubt. Few months back, heard a case of a old man was knocked to death. The 1st car stopped to let him cross the road. But the impatient 2nd car overtook the 1st thereby knocking the old man down.

[hsm]

Thanks for all the feedback and encouragement! Indeed, practise will make it more confident.. as some also mentioned, it's usually the parking!!


The 1st hurdle is actually just o/s my house doing a narrow U turn! I wish it should be just a straight road..

hmm.. probably needs another round of refresher 1st before asking dh to sit with me..

[kittybank]

胆大心细

[Herbie]

jia you!


I used to be very scared of driving out of my apt cos it’s a very sharp 90 deg turn at the exit area. But i tried it and i managed to overome tat fear.

[i3mum]

I agree, practise makes perfect.


You can try driving/parking at an carkpark when it is not so crowded. And also, try driving around your neighborhood which you are familiar with.

For the first few times, try it without you kids and find someone who is experienced to sit with you. This may not necessarily be your husband (Cos I know some of my friends told me their husbands will nag/scold at her, and since they are scare of the nagging/scolding, they rather give up trying.) Find someone who is patient to guide you along.

Ultimately, its you yourself who must be determined to pick up driving again. I m the youngest at home, but first to obtain my driving licence. When I just took up driving lessons, my mum \"poured\" cold water at me, saying that I wont have the guts to drive even if I pass, and commented its a waste of $$ to take up driving lessons. Most of my female cousins who has passed the driving test, did not dare to drive at all. I was very determined I must drive, otherwise its a waste, and this is a lifetime skills which no one can take away from me.

I really did it, and now I need not have to wait till my DH is around to drive us. I can be the Driver on my own, ferrying my kids & mum around ! This really save my dh alot of work too.

[i3mum]

If there is no one, can try taking refresher course. I heard there are some pte driving instructors to teach you.

[Funz]

I think a lot of us are too hung up about a little scratch or dent on our cars. That makes driving all the more stressful. It is even worse if you are driving your spouse’s car.


I have handled different types of cars, from coupes to SUV to MPV to off roaders but I hate driving DH’s car and I hate driving my car with him as a passenger. The moment I start the engine of my car, he will start making comments like engine doesn’t sound right, your tyres very noisy, blah blah blah.

Sorry, I not helping matters hor. Just saying that the spouse may not be the best person to start you driving again. Get and instructor to give you a refreshers they are more objective. Anyways, don’t be afraid to try. It is not that difficult to drive in Singapore, with the cars now coming in auto gears and with all the sensors, parking is a breeze. The more you drive, the easier it gets.

[metz]

hsm:

Hi, I had my driving license for more than 10yrs but i seldom drive.. dunno why just phobia of accident.. esp if i were to drive my children..


anyone has the similar problem? and how did u manage to overcome and start driving again?

will really want to drive my children to school esp when dh is out of town.. and recently had problem booking a cab early morning :slapshead:

I did refresher once.. but still didnt manage to re-start it.. :slapshead:

Hi hsm, I was plagued by the same phobia for many years. I cleared my Basic Theory at 19 years old but never bothered to continue on. Countless 'what if's kept appearing in my mind. It was only at the age of 35 that I decided to pluck up my courage (coupled with ceaseless nagging from hubby) and take driving lessons. Been driving since then. The phobia miraculously disappeared.

One thing I did after obtaining the driving licence was to keep driving the same route for a period. That helped me gain road confidence which eventually enabled me to drive outside my comfortable zone.

I overcame my parking problems by practising parking at various locations during working hours. Fewer people, less hazard. Perhaps you can choose an off peak timing to try overcoming the 'bend' phobia too.