Also a coward in the óótóó?

When it comes to driving, I'm a gigantic klutz. One moment I'm driving without any problem in a straight line towards Paris, and the next week I don't dare to do groceries with the car, so I walk. To curse on the way back when that heavy Albert Heijn bag makes my arm go numb. GRRR. What is it with that damn insecurity when I'm behind the wheel?

Maybe you recognize it. About one million Dutch people suffer from driving anxiety. It even has a name: azamophobia. Of the more than 11 million people in the Netherlands with a driver's license, half have sweaty palms behind the wheel at some point. You’re not the only one. When does it become a problem? When you become so insecure about your driving skills that you don't dare to take the car when it would actually be much easier. Time for a crash course in driving for dummies. Our tips to overcome your driving anxiety.

1. First of all, realize that your insecurity probably stems from insufficient experience and routine. This puts you in a vicious circle that you – exciting but true – need to break. You MUST step out of your comfort zone to move forward.

2. During practice, let someone ride with you who gives you a chill feeling. Preferably not your partner, because he/she often sits too much ‘on top’ of you, which actually maintains the fear. My boyfriend has a habit of correcting me often, and that just made me more insecure. Just read this horror story. 

3. Go out on quiet days and practice on quiet stretches. Don't take unnecessary risks; first do familiar roads and places that you already know well.

4. Do you really not dare? Repeat as a mantra in your head: ‘You are not a loser if you book a few more lessons after getting your driver's license. You are not a loser if you after getting your d...’ Seriously. Nowadays, you can take very nice refresher courses with good instructors.

5. A certain road (for example, to your work) that you are insecure about? Go practice that road three times with your driving instructor, sister, or friend.

6. Tried a hundred times to master that clutch but it remains a problem, causing you to avoid traffic lights out of insecurity? Put your pride aside and just try an automatic. Who cares that you’re not shifting, what does it actually matter? You'll see that you'll never want to drive any other way.

7. Above all, be patient with yourself. You don't have to be a star behind the wheel after just one hour of driving. That roadtrip can always come later. Build it up slowly. Is it going well? Then don't go crazy right away.

8. Repeat it daily, otherwise, you really put it off for too long and your problem will never go away. Why do you think ‘practice makes perfect’ is even a saying? YOU CAN DO THIS!