The fact that someone is afraid of driving, whether as a driver or passenger, is not at all uncommon. In Germany, there are more than half a million people from young to old. So if you have a little fear or respect for driving, you're not alone!

There are various causes for this fear, such as a witnessed accident, personal phobias or the simple fear that something unpleasant will happen while driving. But permanent stress that weighs on the body can also be the basis of anxiety.

Often behind the fear is the lack of driving experience - and those who rarely drive also rarely gain positive experiences, which can strengthen positive thinking.

Anxiety makes itself felt through typical physical reactions to stress. These include, for example, racing heart, dizziness, increased sweating, malaise, eye twitching or even panic attacks.

If you are about to drive for the first time and feel a little queasy at the thought, you probably don't need to worry, this is quite normal and will subside after the first few hours of driving have been mastered.

If you notice that fear is rising in you, you should breathe in and out deeply - it is best to concentrate on your breath as best you can and say to yourself inwardly "breathe in, breathe out,...". It's hard to imagine a bad situation when you think about your breathing process. If necessary, explain to yourself plausibly why the situation is not as bad as your head assumes. If the situation allows it, muscle relaxation exercises are very useful. Very important: Have confidence in your abilities!
If there is a passenger in the car, try to keep up a conversation. Maybe you explain to this person how you feel at the moment. She will surely talk to you and support you.

If your fear turns into a panic attack that you can no longer control, you should stop driving as soon as possible. That way you won't endanger yourself or others.

Simulator training is a particularly good option. Some driving schools offer their students the opportunity to practice driving with a simulator. You sit in front of a large screen and use all the important controls of a car. Through the various practice sessions, you can train specifically and learn how to react in certain situations. In this way, you build up confidence in your driving performance. You'll also be confronted with situations where you can feel and manage your anxiety.

Another option is to practice on a traffic training course - away from traffic. Here you can develop a driving experience and will realize that driving itself is not bad. You can focus specifically on your anxiety and learn to regulate it. Also in this training you build confidence in your own abilities. You can do this training with a driving instructor or a trusted person (who has a driver's license).

If you need more support with anxiety management, you can also go to discussion groups or a psychologist or get help. This is especially important if you suffer from panic attacks in general, no matter when or where they occur.

Whether you're a novice or returning driver, trained instructors can help you with practice lessons. Many driving lessons offer extra practice hours if you haven't driven for a long time despite having a license. So you are not alone and can get valuable tips if necessary.