How to be a CONFIDENT DRIVER

However experienced you are, it’s common to lose belief in your ability to drive sometimes. Here’s how to get it back.

Once you’ve torn up your L-plates, it’s assumed that, from that moment on, you’ll be equipped to drive anywhere at any time. But that isn’t always the case.

‘Driving confidence can wax and wane throughout our lives,’ says Joanne Mallon, author of How to Overcome Fear of Driving (£7.99, Nell James Publishers).

‘Driving anxiety is far more widespread than is generally realised, as people are often embarrassed to admit to it. It’s particularly common among motorists who’ve experienced an accident, have had a break from driving or have recently undergone a major life change.

‘A car accident led to me avoiding driving for seven years, but now I can, and do, drive for pleasure. There are lots of ways to get your driving mojo back.’

New routes

Many women handle their regular commute, school run and local trips with ease. But a trip somewhere unfamiliar can be a little more daunting.