309 Hours of Driving Lessons - Learning to Drive with an Anxiety Disorder

Alexandra's experience of learning to drive whilst dealing with an anxiety disorder. Taking 309 hours and nearly 4 years certainly required motivation along the way. Find out what was challenging and the source of the what seemed like endless determination and motivation.

Get a competitive quote for your insurance via these links:

Collingwood (up to 35% discount via the link):

Confused:

The above links are affiliate links and Conquer Driving may receive a small commission if you use them but they will cost you nothing to use. I've done a lot of research and I would recommend these links for trying to find your cheapest policy. Thank you for watching and supporting the channel.

This video is created by an experienced driving instructor, please subscribe to get my latest videos as I upload them to help you pass the UK Driving Test.

Here is my driving school's website:

This video is a guide intended to help people who are learning to drive with a driving instructor in the UK, it is by no means a replacement for driving lessons with an appropriately qualified driving instructor.

Laws and driving rules may be different in your country. The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law. The makers of this video are also not liable for any person failing a driving test as a result of the information provided in the video.

00:00 Intro
00:30 Questions and answers
00:38 How long did it take?
01:36 How do you feel?
02:16 Two biggest challenges?
03:47 How did you overcome the challenges?
05:00 How could an instructor help?
06:06 Reaction of friends and family?
08:15 Where did you get your motivation?
09:25 Why did you agree to the video?
10:55 Would automatic help?
13:35 Are you a safe driver?
14:08 Any accidents?
15:20 Anything you would like to say?
18:01 Outro

[TheFullswordslord]

Very brave of Alexandra to participate in this video! Massive respect

[Zara.x.o.x.o]

The fact that Alexandra did many lessons and even when people doubted her she still pushed herself past the anxiety enough to carry on. She didn't give up and had perseverance...What a solider!! She is such a role model to other who feel this way when driving including myself and now seeing such an amazing example like Alexandra having the confidence to now drive is helping so many other people. Thank you so much Alexandra for making this video, your are such an inspiration. I hope eventually I pass too.

[DDParadise]

Even though I don't have an anxiety disorder, I can relate to much of what Alexandra has said. I was quite an anxious driver and so I switched from manual to automatic and the difference was night and day. I felt soo much more at ease whilst driving and it made me excited to hop into the driving seat and learn to drive. Huge amount of respect for Alexandra for persevering and succeeding.

My story is more worst than her I took 9 years, changed 5 instructors and spent around 4-5 grand on lessons, and finally pass my test 11.12.2021

[MCNinjakix]

This is me right now. Im 30 and I have just passed my theory & having lessons weekly and confidence is a huge issue for me, I have anxiety leading up to the lesson every single week, and when its over I literally go for a nap and its a huge weight off my shoulder… until the next week 😭

[chrismarplesdrivertraining]

As an instructor I find the job satisfaction from helping people like Alexandra very rewarding.

[ThatWomanNatasha]

Great topic... totally relatable. I have an anxiety disorder and age(39 at the start now 44)...it's going on 5 years on & off . Hopefully 2022 will be my year. Merci Alexandra

[rufusgreenleaf]

She reflects exactly what i felt during my lessons and how i still feel after i've passed. A lot of people when they pass are straight onto the motorway and driving to the fullest. People like me who have driven for over 2 years now have only been on the motorway about 4 times and each time was because i had no other choice and each time was only one junction in duration.

It takes time for some of us like she said, to just gain confidence in ourselves first. My first time driving on my own was to work and back which was only 10 minutes away, i was shitting bricks. Now 2 years later i can say i've driven 85 miles to the coast and back. A huge milestone. I hope mores to come.

Thanks for the video i'm just glad i'm not alone with this anxiety crap.

[davidellis]

Never be put off. It doesn't matter how long it takes or how many tests you take, when you pass you've achieved the same standard as everyone else and you've earned your stripes.

[perkinwarbeck]

I hope this young lady reads this - you superstar. Well done for passing with anxiety. You should be very proud of yourself.

[LetsgetloudUK]

I'm so inspired by this lady, so glad that she achieved her goal. I'm 49 and just starting to learn, I'm determined (also suffer with anxiety and lack of confidence) to overcome fears and challenges.

[renitooo]

What a warrior! Thank you Alexandra for inspiring everyone and showing what determination looks like!

[TSMSiemens]

For someone who has driving anxiety like myself, you are a true inspiration!!

[kzam]

Same here i started learning to drive 12 years ago. I practiced for a year then stopped as i wasnt progressing at all. My instructor even bumped me off on another instructor. After 9 years i plucked the courage to start my lessons again . 3 years learning and 2 failed tests with very long covid lockdown gaps in between i persevered . I was going to give up when my mum passed away in August as i got depression but my instructor booked me a test. I was a nervous wreck shaking so much on the day.i couldnt believe it when the examiner told me id passed. It was an emotional roller coaster all the way through and i never thought i would pass. Anxiety is a mental fight between mind and body which drains you.

[abigailmcdonald]

I think I had about the same amount of hours of lessons because of my anxiety (I'm 24 with learning difficulties that affect my driving.) I never thought I'd pass - I passed my test 2nd time this year. I chose automatic, because it let me focus more on the road. I'd have panic attacks before every lesson, nearly quit, and hated driving. Now I've been driving for a few months and I'm doing things I'd never thought I'd do, like motorway driving for example. I promise you, you can do it. If you want more lessons, have them. If you want automatic, do it. Change your instructor if you like - I went through about 4 until I was comfortable, which is so important. Whatever gets you behind the wheel, it's your journey. Thank you for this channel, it really helped me!

[TheMunkHub]

I am currently learning to drive with Social anxiety, I know exactly how she feels, but personally I found that trying to do precise movements under the 'scrutiny' of my instructor on quiet roads, such as the simple things, as practising speed and turning at junction's and so on, the early stuff. To be more anxiety feeding and causes me make mistakes, then actually driving on roads with other motorists. Once i was on those, the anxiety melted away as i was driving, because i had to pay attention to the road rather then the nagging feeling of being watched. That isn't to say I don't make small mistakes however, nobody is perfect.

[carolemartin]

I am doing the refresher driving, passed over 30 years ago first time, lost my confidence, my instructor is amazingly patient . My confidence has got much better . Love these videos.

[Kravsazzle]

Well done Alexandra! Huge respect to you. At the ripe old age of 46 I began to learn to drive after years of feeling overly anxious about it. the only way is up folks! Go your own pace, remember why you wanted to do this. You've got this!

[caitlinm]

ive had many panic attacks while driving but over the past few months my confidence has really grown. it’s crazy that i used to panic driving 20mph and last week my driving instructor took me on the motor way for the first time and i did really well :)

[lspr]

Having a patient driving instructor that encourages and believes in you makes a difference. I had a couple that raised their voice and got annoyed with me. I lacked confidence for a long time time and the pressure to pass was a lot. I drove on and off for years and ended up wasting lots of money. During lockdown I bought a car and family members helped me to build my confidence. I focused on just being comfortable and driving to ease the pressure off the test. I could drive but it was the nerves so trying to relax and remember you’re in control helps. I then did both - family lessons and professional and found a new instructor I finally passed with only 17 days left on my theory! I couldn’t drive on dual carriageways without worrying or doing more than 40mphs but now it’s a breeze. You can do this! Driving is not a sprint it’s a marathon. The more you do lessons and learn the better you are on the road